Dane: Culture, Karst and Hotels in Loško polje

Dane is a densely built-up village on a terrace at the northern edge of Loško polje, below the road between Grahovo and Stari Trg. The cultivated fields extend up the slope across the road and merge into municipal land. Southwest of the village, the forests consist predominantly of coniferous and mixed woodland. Thus, within a small area, the village settlement, agriculturally used slopes and wooded areas meet one another.

Landscape and Nature

Above Dane, below Škrilje, lies Golobina Cave, which is approximately 200 metres long. At Golobina, the Obrh sinks underground; the cave drains the water of the Loška Valley towards Lake Cerknica. Its passages form a labyrinth and extend across several levels. The cave is accessible to visitors for most of the year, but only accompanied by licensed cave guides from the Association of Friends of Križna Cave.

Culture and History

The filial church of St Urban stands in the cemetery in Škrilje, a hamlet of Dane. It was first mentioned in 1526. Its chancel was given a Baroque makeover in 1693, and the sacristy was added to the church in the 19th century.

Dane is also home to the filial church or chapel of St Isidore, which was built at the end of the 18th century. The chapel is a rectangular, centrally designed building with an octagonal floor plan. A wooden bell turret rises above its western façade; the stone portal dates from 1786.

Dane is the birthplace of Jurij Kosmač (1799–1872), who worked as a beekeeper, poet, publicist and translator. The surrounding area also points to a long history of settlement and land use: a Roman road runs through it, making it archaeologically interesting. A single grave containing an earthenware vessel and metal objects was discovered during sand extraction. It is attributed to Late Antiquity or possibly the transitional period to the Early Middle Ages.

Trails and Festivals

The signposted Loška dolina Cultural Hiking Trail can be completed in full or walked in sections between thematic stations, including Dane. The trail is listed as being 20.9 kilometres long, with a walking time of 5–6 hours and 274 metres of elevation gain. Around the edge of the valley, it follows signposts and yellow-green markings. Dane is one of its thematic stations, with an information board about karst phenomena.

The rural festival “Pesmi in igre med ostrnicami” takes place at the Kandare farmstead in Dane and has been organised for almost two decades. The festival demonstrates the erection of ostrnice and other agricultural work involved in mowing and bringing in the hay. The event also presents regional cuisine and local produce.

More Places

For further places to choose from, pages are available for Rakek, Radlek, Kozarišče, Stari Trg Pri Ložu, Grahovo, Žerovnica, Runarsko and Gorenje Jezero.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cerknica.