Kostanjevica na Krki: Culture, Nature and Hotels

Kostanjevica na Krki takes you from Forma Viva, with its sculptures at the Božidar Jakac Gallery and other locations, through medieval buildings to forests, wetlands and river landscapes. Forma Viva displays more than 100 sculptures in the immediate vicinity of the Božidar Jakac Gallery as well as at other locations in Kostanjevica na Krki. After a ten-year interruption, Forma Viva was resumed in 1998 and has taken place every two years ever since.

Culture

The history of the town includes the former Cistercian monastery of Fons Beatae Mariae. It was founded in 1234 in the immediate vicinity of Kostanjevica na Krki, near the source of the Obrh stream. The former Cistercian monastery was declared a cultural monument of national importance in 1989. The Božidar Jakac Gallery houses works by Slovenian artists in its permanent collections, including works by Božidar Jakac, France and Tone Kralj, Jože Gorjup, France Gorše, Zoran Didek, Janez Boljka and Bogdan Borčić. The gallery also displays the Pleterje Collection of Old Masters.

The Gorjupova Gallery presents a selection of sculptures, paintings, drawings and graphic works from an extensive international art collection of the 20th century in a permanent exhibition. Visits are possible by prior arrangement with the Božidar Jakac Gallery. The parish church of St James was built before 1220 and later rebuilt several times. Its southern exterior wall features a fresco of Saint Christopher dating from around 1350.

The old town also preserves tangible traces of history. It was declared a cultural and historical monument in 1997 because of its preserved medieval plot structure. The Lamut Art Salon is housed in a former manor house whose origins date back to the 16th century; part of the building was converted into the Lamut Art Salon in 1958. Since 1958, the Lamut Art Salon has operated in the former ministerial manor house in the old town of Kostanjevica na Krki on the island and is dedicated to the painter and graphic artist Vladimir Lamut (1915–1962). St Nicholas Church has a late Gothic core dating from the 16th century and a Neo-Gothic exterior. The year 1692 is inscribed on the tower, while the three-sided apse was painted in 1932 by Jože Gorjup. The Oražnov House on Oražnova ulica dates from 1831.

Nature

The eight-kilometre Resslova pot circular hiking trail starts at Gostilna Žolnir on the outskirts of Kostanjevica. It connects the Trstenik wetland, the central part of the forest, the edge of the nature reserve and the flood meadows along the Krka. In the central part of the Krakovski gozd forest lies a 40.5-hectare virgin forest reserve that has been protected since 1952.

Kostanjeviška Cave is a natural monument of exceptional geological and natural value. A guided tour of the cave lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Due to renovation work, Kostanjeviška Cave is closed until 15 April 2027.

Things to do

There are different distances and time estimates for longer routes. Cvičkova pot is a moderately difficult hike covering 6.9 km; the stated duration is three hours. The former Cistercian monastery in Kostanjevica na Krki serves as the starting point for the one-day circular Cistercian Trail.

The surroundings can also be explored on the water: the Krško Kayak-Canoe Club operates its kayak school on the Krka in Krška vas and Kostanjevica. The Cvičkova cycling route leads from Kostanjevica na Krki to the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel on Slinovce. It is 29 km long, with a stated duration of 2.5 hours.

Cuisine

The Cviček wine cellar at the Božidar Jakac Art Museum offers wine tastings by prior arrangement. The tasting also includes the local speciality “cop na lop”, a savoury cake made from overheated cream. “Otok okusov” is a culinary experience at Tamal' plac in Kostanjevica na Krki.

Šelmarija is a carnival custom characteristic of Kostanjevica na Krki. The Kostanjevica na Krki TIC is open from Tuesday to Sunday: from 15 October to 14 April, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 15 April to 14 October, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Further destinations

Further destinations include Armeško, Velika Vas pri Krškem, Krško, Raka, Brestanica.

To the higher-level travel overview: Krško.