Ljubno ob Savinji: Rafting, the Savinja and culture in Slovenia

Ljubno ob Savinji can be explored through the Savinja, rafting and a range of specific cultural sites. In addition, there are paths along the river, sports facilities, viewpoints and events that remain connected to local traditions to this day.

Culture

The interactive Rafting Collection in Ljubno can be visited independently during the main summer season from 15 June to 15 September, as well as during school holidays, during TIC opening hours from 08:00 to 16:00. At the KLS Cultural and Congress Centre, the Flosarska Pripoved programme presents a 500-year tradition of rafting on the Savinja. As part of this programme, visitors can experience a ride on a traditional raft themselves.

The local heritage also includes the collection of Ljubno Palm Sunday bundles, which has been recognised as intangible cultural heritage of national importance. A rare river-stone floor covering known as “kuglflašter” is still preserved in the entrance hall of the Fašun House. The Fašun House, also known as “Pri Fašunu”, is a designated cultural monument and, based on its condition and appearance, is attributed to the first half of the 19th century.

St Elizabeth’s Church in Ljubno is a Gothic building that lost its essential Gothic features in the fire of 1798. The exterior Gothic buttresses and several frescoes on the outer walls have survived. The church also has an organ made in 1793 by Anton Scholz from Celje, which was extensively restored in 1992. Every year, the Ljubno Palm Sunday bundles are blessed in the square in front of the church.

The Church of the Assumption of Mary in Rosulje has an octagonal bell tower. Its present building was erected after the earlier church was demolished in 1830; the church is also known for a Gothic chalice dating from 1512.

At Atelšek, between Ljubno and Luče on the Savinja, the traditional burning of quicklime can still be seen, as practised by previous generations. During the traditional Flosarski bal, this lime burning can be experienced live every year one week before the first Sunday in August. The Flosarski bal is an ethnographic event held in Ljubno ob Savinji and is one of the oldest ethnographic events in Slovenia. The Jožefov sejem is also held traditionally every year in Ljubno ob Savinji.

Nature and the Savinja

The 5.3-kilometre riverside path from Ljubno runs along the Savinja and passes the Vrbje event area. There you will find the Preužitkarska House, an open-air mini-museum and the rafters’ hut. At the access point to the Savinja, visitors can watch kayaking and rafting descents and prepare for their own descent.

Fishing permits for the Ljubno fishing district are available at the Ribiški dom Ljubno and at several points of sale in the area around Ljubno ob Savinji. The Zgornjesavinjski fishing district of Ljubno, managed by the Ribiška družina Ljubno, is divided into four sections: Savinja 1, Savinja 2, Savinja 3 including a trophy section, and the fly-fishing pond at the fishing lodge.

The Ob Ljubnici themed trail begins next to the municipal building in Ljubno and takes about 30 minutes. Information boards explain the area’s natural and cultural heritage. The trail offers views of the town centre and its hinterland, the ski-jumping hill, the Smrekovec-Komen ridge, the Tirske peči cliffs below Golte and Menina planina.

Sports and events

The ski-jumping facility in Ljubno has a plastic mat that makes ski jumping possible during the warmer months as well. Ljubno ob Savinji hosts FIS Ski Jumping World Cup competitions for women. The Foršt sports and leisure park includes asphalt playing areas for football, basketball and volleyball.

Other places: Nazarje, Gornji Grad, Radegunda, Bočna, Luče, Mozirje, Solčava, Rečica Ob Savinji.

To the higher-level travel overview: Mozirje.