Begunje na Gorenjskem: Culture, Hiking Trails and Mountain History

Begunje na Gorenjskem lies below Mount Begunjščica. The town combines traces of Slovenian history with themed trails, museums and hiking routes in the surrounding area.

Culture and Remembrance

In the centre of Begunje stands Katzenstein Mansion, which housed Gestapo prisons during the Nazi occupation. The building is a cultural monument of national importance. The Museum of Hostages has been established in the part of the mansion that contained the cells for prisoners sentenced to death. On the walls of ten preserved prison cells, it safeguards inscriptions and drawings by prisoners. The museum commemorates the suffering, fear, uncertainty and inhumane abuse inflicted during interrogation procedures in the Second World War.

Every year on 4 May, Begunje holds a memorial ceremony commemorating the liberation of the prisons, which took place on 4 May 1945. The park of Katzenstein Mansion is also part of the historic and cultural setting. It contains works by Jože Plečnik and Boris Kalin, including the Jožamurka Pavilion and the Brezjanka Shelter.

Another museum in the centre is the Avsenik Museum. It presents the development and history of the Avsenik brothers' ensemble. On display are original instruments, stage costumes, awards, and gold, platinum and diamond records.

Begunje na Gorenjskem is also home to the Elan Alpine Skiing Museum. It presents Elan innovations, competition successes and legendary products that influenced the development of skiing, as well as the most important milestones in Elan's history.

Trails and Historic Sites

Behind Begunje, at the entrance to the Draga Valley, stand the ruins of Kamen Castle. They once guarded an old trade route across the Karawanks. The ruins include a 12th-century lookout tower. The Lamberg Trail passes the archaeological sites of Njivica and Zijalka as well as Devil's Castle, and then reaches Kamen Castle. From there, the trail can continue into the Draga Valley before returning to Begunje.

The Vaška Trail Begunje passes the birthplace of Slavko Avsenik, St Urh Church and the park of Katzenstein Mansion. Another themed route is the Petrova Trail, which begins in front of the TIC Begunje.

St Peter's Church is located above Begunje. It can be reached by an approximately half-hour climb from Begunje and was already an important pilgrimage site in the 17th century. The 16th-century frescoes are considered the most extensive surviving work by Jernej iz Loke.

Longer Hiking Routes

The fourth stage of the Juliana Trail leads from Begunje na Gorenjskem via Radovljica to Bled and takes just under four hours. The challenging Pastirska Trail starts and ends in the Draga Valley. Its route leads via Preval, the source of the Roža stream, Roblekov dom, Poljška planina and Planinca. The trail is 10.2 kilometres long, takes approximately 5–6 hours and is classified as a challenging hiking trail.

More Destinations

More destinations you can explore from this page: Bohinjska Bistrica, Lake Bohinj, Srednja Vas, Krnica, Ljubno, Radovljica, Bled, Jereka.

To the higher-level travel overview: Radovljica.