Kranj offers 6,000 years of historical, cultural, and architectural heritage. Anyone planning a stay in Kranj will want to book a hotel.
Culture and History
Kranj’s old town has been protected as a cultural monument since 1983. At its heart is Glavni trg. The permanent exhibition at the Prešeren House presents the poet’s life, from his birth in Vrba and his school years in Vienna to his life in Ljubljana and his death in Kranj. A memorial museum opened in the house on February 8, 1964; France Prešeren lived there from autumn 1846 until February 8, 1849.
Tunnels measuring 1,300 metres in length run beneath the old town; they were built as shelters during the Second World War. The Church of St. Cantianus in Kranj is a cultural monument of national importance. The ossuary next to the church contains the foundations of a Late Antique baptistery. The single-nave Gothic church on Pungert dates from the 15th century, specifically from 1478.
Khislstein Castle was named after the Khisl family, who bought it in the second half of the 16th century. Jože Plečnik designed a monumental entrance to the city of Kranj at the upper end of Vodopivec Street. The museum trail explores the city’s history and connects six noteworthy buildings in Kranj’s old town.
The Gorenjski Muzej is the central museum and gallery institution of the Gorenjska region. Its collections cover archaeology, ethnology, ancient history, art history, cultural history, modern history, and the present day.
Events and Culinary Delights
Jazz Kamp Kranj is an international summer music festival that has featured a series of jazz concerts since 2004. The Prešeren Theatre Kranj organises the Festival Week of Slovenian Drama, which supports contemporary Slovenian drama. The Khislstein Open-Air Theatre offers a varied cultural programme in summer.
Kranfest is Kranj’s main summer festival for locals and visitors, featuring music, street performances, and culinary offerings. The Kranjska dolga miza at Khislstein Castle presents culinary specialities from Kranj.
Nature
The Kokra River canyon below Kranj is more than 30 metres deep. A guided circular trail with a local guide leads through the canyon. A viewing platform high above the conglomerate rock offers views of the confluence of the two rivers.
The SOS Proteus Information Centre displays rescued olm and monitors the effects of visitor traffic on the animals. The centre includes information panels, video presentations, and aquariums with olm; researchers from the Tular Cave Laboratory guide visitors through the centre.
The 845-metre-high Sveti Jošt nad Kranjem is just a few minutes from Kranj city centre and offers opportunities for relaxation, an excursion into nature, scenic views, and dining.
Cycling and Walking Trails
The Kranjska kolesarska roža comprises six picturesque cycling routes to nearby places. The associated bike tours lead into the surrounding hills, to natural ponds, a log park, and the Kokra River canyon below the city.
The path through the Savski drevored runs from Savski otok to Športni park Struževo. The well-maintained gravel path has several benches.
Geographical Location
Kranj is 7 kilometres from Jože Pučnik Airport.
More destination pages: Vopovlje, Mlaka pri Kranju, Zgornje Jezersko, Kokra, Šenturška Gora, Žabnica, Stiška Vas, Žerjavka, Naklo, Šenčur, Kranj, Cerklje Na Gorenjskem, Preddvor.
