In Fala, a part of the municipality of Ruše, the Fala Hydroelectric Power Plant Museum is located in the original machine hall of the oldest hydroelectric power plant on the Drava. A horizontal Francis turbine has been preserved there. The municipality of Ruše is also a co-founder of Pohorje Regional Park.
Anyone wishing to book a hotel in Russe can include the destination directly in their own travel plans.
Nature
A 17-kilometre-long wooden water flume for transporting timber once ran through the Lobnica Valley. From its source to its mouth at the Drava, the Lobnica stream descends more than 1,000 metres. This landscape is home to the protected Šumik primeval forest, which preserves original forest communities; beech, fir and spruce trees, among others, grow on the steep slopes.
The Šumik primeval forest is also home to the rock formation Trije hlebi, a 14-metre-high tower made up of three rocks stacked on top of one another. The Veliki Šumik and Mali Šumik waterfalls are located in the Lobnica Gorge in the protected Šumik primeval forest, with Veliki Šumik waterfall being 24 metres high. Verna Waterfall is a slide waterfall in the Šumik primeval forest; over its final 100 metres, the Verna stream plunges through a smooth, very steep tonalite gorge into the Lobnica.
Falska peč rises almost vertically several dozen metres from the right bank of the Drava and is a unique geological formation in the Drava Valley. It is a habitat for the protected species complex Brstična lilija (Lilium bulbiferum) and Alpine saxifrage (Saxifraga hostii). The Drava Cycling Route runs through Ruše.
The DiscGolf Park Ruše-Areh is suitable for recreation and leisure, as well as for complementing a walk in nature, and is also suitable for families with small children.
Culture
Letno gledališče Pod goroj was finally completed in 1931. The amphitheatrical venue at the foot of Pohorje has between 800 and 1,000 seats and features particularly strong acoustics. The Cerkev Marijinega imena church in Ruše was built in 1387. Its exterior displays traces of Gothic and Baroque styles, while the interior is Baroque in design. The Cerkev bičanega Zveličarja church contains a figure of Christ created by a skilled woodcarver in the 18th century.
The Ruše water tower is part of the complex of the former Ruše nitrogen factory and was built in 1917 for its needs. It has two tanks with capacities of 220 m³ and 130 m³, respectively. The water tower is 43 metres high and is listed in the Slovenian Register of Immovable Cultural Heritage.
Mary's Church on Smolnik (Marijina cerkev na Smolniku) was built between 1859 and 1861. Fala Castle (Falski grad) was first mentioned in 1245, after the Benedictine abbots of St. Paul moved the seat of their Drava estate there from Lovrenc na Pohorju. In 1620, Fala Castle became a significant cultural centre when the University of Vienna conducted philosophical, theological and economic studies there; this made it the first institution of higher education in Slovenia.
In addition to ordinary glass, the Vivat glassworks produced finely cut glass, milk glass and ruby glass, glass ornaments, bottles, and glassware decorated with images or chemically engraved designs. Luxury glass was shipped to Italy, Greece, the Middle East, Egypt and America. Three buildings remain from the former Vivat glassworks (Glasswork by Ruše, Lower Benedikt dol); a cellar has probably also survived at the former factory site.
The six-grade Latin school of Ruše was founded in 1645 and existed for 113 years, until 1758. During its full operation, Ruše was a cultural and educational centre whose influence extended far beyond the town. A fundamental benchmark with a Latin inscription is located beside the Ruše–Fala railway line. Of all the surveying marks from the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, this is the only one preserved in the territory of Slovenia. The fundamental benchmark is still used today to precisely determine elevation and to measure ground movements over periods of more than 100 years.
Glazerjevi Dnevi commemorates the Slovenian poet, librarian, literary historian and editor Janko Glazer, who was born in Ruše, while also promoting musical and literary creativity.
Cuisine
The Vernik Inn has more than 100 years of tradition and numerous house specialities. These include stuffed house rabbit, venison steak in game sauce with cranberries, black radish with pumpkin seed oil and homemade liver pâté; seasonal dishes made from local ingredients are also mentioned.
Other destinations: Ruše, Selnica Ob Dravi, Church of the Holy Spirit on Osterberg.
