Šentjernej in Slovenia – Hotels amid culture, wine and tradition

Šentjernej brings together sacred history, the offerings of Vinoteka Otilija, events and landscapes within a compact thematic area. This is particularly evident in the Parish Church of St Bartholomew, the offerings of Vinoteka Otilija and the cultural sites of Pleterje. This picture is complemented by the Šentjernejska učna pot, the hippodrome and the Jernejev-K Marathon.

Culture

The Parish Church of St Bartholomew in Šentjernej was rebuilt after the Ottoman fire of 1500. It received its present bell tower in 1641 before being remodelled in 1827. However, its history goes back even further: archaeological excavations at the church uncovered at least three earlier churches, including two Romanesque and one Gothic predecessor church.

Inside are two side altars from the first half of the 17th century. They come from the church of the dissolved Cistercian monastery in Kostanjevica na Krki. The parish church also contains a painting of St Bartholomew by Metzinger. Another historic site is the old Gothic church of Pleterje Charterhouse, dating from 1406. It is open to visitors, and a multimedia presentation about the monks’ lives and the cultural and historical significance of the charterhouse is shown there.

The Pleterje Open-Air Museum includes a traditional farm dating from 1833. The museum is open every day of the year by prior arrangement.

Events

Jernejevo is Šentjernej’s annual municipal festival, held in August. It is named after the municipality’s patron saint, St Jernej, whose name day is celebrated on 24 August. Jernejevo has been celebrated in Šentjernej for almost 30 years. The programme on 17 August 2025 included the Velike kasaške dirke at the Šentjernej Hippodrome. As part of the JERNEJEVO 2025 municipal festival, 140 years of trotting-race tradition were honoured.

The Šentjernej Hippodrome is the central equestrian sports centre in the Šentjernej Valley, hosting training sessions, competitions and events. The Šentjernejski sejem also has a long-standing tradition, with a fair history spanning more than 100 years. It is considered an opportunity for browsing, socialising and shopping.

Cycling

The Jernejev-K Marathon routes ran through the entire municipality of Šentjernej and the neighbouring municipalities of Kostanjevica na Krki, Škocjan, Šmarješke Toplice and Novo mesto. The 20th Jernejev-K Marathon offers a short 22 km route and a long 44 km route.

Landscape and nature

The Šentjernejska učna pot presents characteristic plant communities and habitat types of the Šentjernejsko polje. The educational trail is located in Šentjernej in the immediate vicinity of the school and kindergarten and is easily accessible to all generations.

Gorjansko jezero is a natural feature on impermeable ground with a swallow hole near Miklavž na Gorjancih. It consists of shallow ponds formed by water retained on impermeable ground. As a result, the area represents a distinctive habitat type.

Wine and regional specialities

Vinoteka Otilija offers wines from four of the largest winegrowers in the Šentjernej Valley. The selection includes the Dolenjska speciality wine Cviček. The vinotheque features a rooster exhibition and occasionally an exhibition of old musical instruments.

A visit by prior arrangement may include a cellar tour, the rooster and instrument exhibitions, tastings of four varieties of Cviček as well as white and red wines, homemade cold cuts and a multivision presentation for 15 €.

Other places in the same overarching destination are Otočec, Šmarješke Toplice, Novo Mesto, Žužemberk, Vinica Pri Šmarjeti, Dolenje Kronovo, Škocjan and Šmihel Pri Žužemberku.

To the overarching travel overview: Novo Mesto.