Makole: Hotels and the Forma Viva Sculpture Route

Makole combines cultural, natural and culinary attractions with marked trails and local events. More than 190 sculptures by international artists can be seen along the 10-kilometre Forma Viva route, created over a period of 20 years.

Culture

Štatenberg Manor is a Baroque building near Makole, on the edge of the Haloze hills above the Dravinja River. The building is known for its frescoes and stucco work in the Knights’ Hall and elegant salons. Štatenberg Landscape Park includes the castle hill with Štatenberg Manor, the area at the confluence of the Dravinja and Ložnica rivers, and nearby ponds.

Guided tours are offered in the museum section of Štatenberg Manor. From November to April, the castle can only be visited by prior arrangement. Cultural attractions in Makole also include the Church of St Andrew.

The Bernadekova domačija farmstead in Štatenberg is more than 200 years old. For registered groups, it presents an authentic account of everyday life in the past.

Nature

Jama Belojača Cave has 550 metres of accessible passages and is one of the longest karst caves in the Haloze hills. Its two passages cannot be accessed without caving equipment. Cave crickets, bats and small beetles live in Jama Belojača.

Slap Šoštarica waterfall in Stari Grad is a 10-metre-high waterfall that only carries water at certain times.

Getting around

A tourist train travels through the Dravinja Valley with an expert guide, introducing visitors to the cultural and natural attractions of the surrounding area. Various marked hiking and mountain trails lead from Štatenberg Manor through the hills of the Dravinja and Haloze regions to Boč and Donačka gora.

For cycling tours, there is the 15-kilometre Makole–Poljčane–Makole cycling route. It starts and ends in Makole.

Cuisine

Kavklerjeva klet in Jelovec pri Makolah is more than 200 years old. Every year, Kavklerjeva klet hosts a concert in honour of Saint Urban as well as tastings of Muškat otonel wine. Homemade cured meat products and fresh bread from the wood-fired oven are served as well.

Local specialities in Makole include Haloška gibanca, Ocvirkovka and various types of bread from the wood-fired oven. There is a wine fountain in Makole’s market square. The completed Makolski lodn project includes a tourist tasting and sales area for locally produced food and products.

Events

Idi na Makole is a traditional annual event held at the beginning of June in Makole’s market square. The Makole Volunteer Fire Brigade has organised Furež according to old farming traditions for 15 consecutive years. Andrejev sejem was announced as the 17th edition for 2025.

More destinations:Zgornja Polskava, Slovenska Bistrica, Leskovec, Kebelj, Oplotnica, Zgornja Ložnica

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