Dolenje Kronovo: Archaeological Heritage and the Natural Environment of the Krka

The Požarnice archaeological site lies between Dolenje Kronovo and Družinska vas on the left bank of the Krka. Remains from the Early Iron Age and the Roman period were discovered there, including a road from the Early Iron Age that was approximately 3 metres wide and paved with stones. During the Roman period, the site contained a small settlement consisting of several wooden and stone buildings. One piece of equipment bears the date 1531. The historical evidence ranges from structural traces to a single dated item of equipment. The findings combine a transport relic with traces of settlement. Within the same site, the paved road and the different construction methods of the wooden and stone buildings reveal two clearly distinguishable aspects: an older transport structure and the later Roman settlement pattern with several buildings.

Part of the locally significant Toplica natural area lies in the Dolenje Kronovo area. The Dolenje Kronovo area lies within the Natura 2000 SAC “Krka s pritoki”. It also lies within the ecologically significant area “Krka – reka”. Dolenje Kronovo is located in the immediate vicinity of the tourist destinations of Otočec and Šmarješke Toplice. Dolenje Kronovo is likewise in the immediate vicinity of the high-quality natural environment along the Krka. These terms indicate different spatial and specialist classifications; they should not be reduced to a single category.

Otok Tržič near Dolenje Kronovo is the largest of the tufa deposits mentioned on the Krka. When water levels are low in summer, visitors can wade through the Krka to Otok Tržič island. The connection between Otočec and Dolenje Kronovo is 1,181 metres long. The connection between Gorenje Kronovo and Dolenje Kronovo is 536 metres long. The 12.9 km-long “Družinska pot” family cycling route from Otočec to Šmarješke Toplice continues along the left bank of the Krka to Dolenje Kronovo. The information places short connections, a longer family cycling route and a seasonal nature experience side by side; this allows you to compare different route lengths, types of activity and conditions when planning your trip.

Dolenje Kronovo is intended to develop as a local centre of limited importance at an important transport junction with motorway access as well as regional and local roads. For Dolenje Kronovo, access to the Krka and undeveloped riverbank areas are designated as settlement characteristics to be preserved.

The three areas can be assessed independently and then compared with your travel preferences. The comparison remains clear, especially when lengths of stay and expectations regarding the type of environment differ.

More places to discover: Otočec, Mirna Peč, Brezovica, Šentjernej, Šmarješke Toplice, Žužemberk, Škocjan, Mali Ban

For the overarching travel overview: Novo Mesto.