Discover Hotels in Vače: Hallstatt History, Archaeology and GEOSS

In the 6th and 5th centuries BC, Vače was one of the most important Hallstatt centres in Slovenia. The Vače Archaeological Trail, the collections at Dom GEOSS – Muzej Petra Svetika and the Fossil Sea Coast bring archaeological and geological themes together in the area.

Culture and History

The Dom GEOSS – Muzej Petra Svetika houses a local collection about Vače’s attractions, including an archaeological collection. It is complemented by a geological collection presenting the most important rocks found in Slovenia. The Vače Archaeological Trail offers another way to explore the past: along the trail, information boards introduce visitors to the world of situlae, prehistoric settlements and archaeological discoveries. The trail passes through one of Slovenia’s most important archaeological sites.

The cultural continuation of the trails includes the Avenue of Creativity. Using wooden statues by various artists, it tells the story of Slovenian culture and ways of life. Nearby Klenik is also home to an enlarged replica of the Vače situla. This replica can be reached via the Avenue of Creativity on prehistoric ground. In this way, the situla, its replica and the archaeological traces in Vače and Klenik form a shared local context.

The church of Sv. Andreja also preserves historic artefacts: it contains a sacristy bell from 1645 and a glass Holy Sepulchre from 1864. To visit the Church of Sv. Andreja, ring the bell at the house at Vače 18.

Trails

The GEOSS Circular Trail includes Vače and Klenik. It is signposted with signs and individual markings. The Vače Archaeological Trail can begin or end at the Fossil Sea Coast near the cemetery. The trail is suitable both for individual visitors and for guided groups by prior arrangement.

The two trails connect different forms of local history, although their individual stops do not serve the same purpose: the Vače Archaeological Trail focuses on situlae, prehistoric settlements and archaeological discoveries, while the GEOSS Circular Trail encompasses Vače and Klenik along its route. The enlarged replica of the Vače situla in Klenik can be reached via the Avenue of Creativity on prehistoric ground.

Nature

The Fossil Sea Coast in Vače consists of an approximately 3-metre-high vertical limestone wall above the cemetery. Fossil oyster shells, up to 10 centimetres in size, can be seen at this geological attraction. In 1997, a decree declaring the geological attraction in Vače a natural monument was prepared in the Municipality of Litija.

Activities

In the vicinity of Vače is the Orjaški spust (Giant Zipline) at Pustolovski park Geoss. The zip line is 915 metres long in total. Also in the vicinity of Vače, Pustolovski park Geoss offers seven climbing courses of varying difficulty, with 97 climbing elements at heights of 1 to 25 metres.

On poezdka.de, you can also explore Slivna, Dole Pri Litiji, Šmartno Pri Litiji and Litija in more detail.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Litija.