Mali Ban: Nature, Wine and Cultural Heritage

Mali Ban is associated with a rare natural phenomenon, regional winegrowing and historical evidence. Minutnik has been protected as a natural monument since 1992. At the same time, Minutnik is a rare intermittent spring in Slovenia and the only spring of this type in Dolenjska.

Nature

Access to Minutnik leads off to the right at the Cerov Log quarry onto a marked gravel path. In the Gorjanci Mountains, the Trdinova Path runs across extensive meadows that are full of colourful flowers in spring and summer. Very rare, protected plants grow along the Gorjanci section. The Gorjanci–Trdinov vrh primeval forest covers just over 23 hectares and consists of pure beech stands of different ages.

The Gorjansko jezero is also part of the natural landscape; it is actually called Izero. It consists of shallow ponds formed by water enclosed on impermeable ground and represents a special habitat type.

Culture

The Pleterje Carthusian Monastery has a Gothic Church of the Holy Trinity. Visitors can watch a multimedia presentation of monastic life at the monastery; the open-air museum can also be visited there by prior appointment. The monastery shop sells several types of wine produced by the Carthusian monastery.

Mali Ban itself also has smaller reminders of rural daily life. At Mali Ban 9, there are a “Nebo” and a “hlapec” for hanging meat from the ceiling. At the same address stands an unused lime kiln called “Apnenca”. There is a wine press in the Štrajbuz vineyard near Mali Ban 7.

The Šentjernej Educational Trail includes the Čampatov toplar, which is registered as cultural heritage. The trail also features a smart bench that serves as a charging station for electric bicycles, e-scooters and other mobile devices.

Wine and regional cuisine

The Grubar family runs a vineyard in Mali Ban. Their Cviček associated with Mali Ban is bottled and sold under the Gros brand. In addition to Cviček, the Grubar family also grows Sauvignon and Yellow Muscat. There is a wine shop at the winery in Mali Ban 6, Šentjernej. The Otilija Vinoteka displays a collection of roosters in its wine cellar.

Another place for regional specialities is the 115-year-old Pr' Martinov'h farm. It offers guests specialities from the bread oven, traditional dishes from Dolenjska, homemade cured meats, cheese and cottage cheese. The farm welcomes individual guests and groups of up to 60 people by prior arrangement; lunch or dinner can be arranged.

Routes

A paved road climbs to Mali Ban along a slope covered with grapevines and numerous houses. Next to it, a signposted path follows a different route: it leads downhill along a cart track into the village of Mali Ban. On one hike, the return route led through Veliki Ban and Mali Ban.

Other places: Šmarjeta, Dolenje Kronovo, Hrib pri Hinjah, Straža, Šentjernej, Škocjan, Brezovica and Vinica Pri Šmarjeti.

For the higher-level travel overview: Novo Mesto.