Discover Kozje: Hotel, Castle and Nature

Kozje combines historical landmarks with paths into nature. The history of the town includes Kozje Castle, which is one of the oldest castles in Slovenian Styria. It was first mentioned in 1286 as castrum Trachenberk. In an engraving by Vischer from 1681, the castle is already depicted as a ruin. In Kozje, history and landscape therefore lie directly alongside one another.

History and Sacred Buildings

The sacred buildings also reach far back into history. The parish church of the Assumption of Mary was already mentioned in 1249. It contains a stone heraldic tombstone of Christoph pl. Drachenburg dating from 1516. The Church of Saint Ema dates from 1466 and is a late Gothic building. It is also part of the Emina pot trail. The two churches therefore connect different historical periods with a specific trail.

Those interested in the history of Kozje will find various forms of historical evidence at these sites: an early-mentioned church, a 16th-century tombstone and a late Gothic sacred building connected with the Emina pot trail. Kozje Castle complements this picture with its first documented mention in 1286 and its depiction as a ruin in the 1681 engraving.

Museums and Historic Spaces

The “Sodstvo v Kozjem” exhibition can be visited by prior appointment. It displays the rooms of the former prison of the Kozje District Court. The Kozje District Court operated from 1932 onward. A prior appointment is therefore required to visit this exhibition.

Another collection is the “Šola moje mame” museum classroom in Kozje. It features a classroom from the period of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Its furnishings include original school doors from the former school, as well as a complete classroom with wooden desks and a blackboard. The Kroflnov Mill in Kozje is also one of the museum collections set up for visitors to explore. In this part of Kozje, the rooms of a former court prison, a former school environment and a mill thus come together as different historic sites.

Nature and Trails

Plants and animals are among the themes of the circular trail to Kozje Castle, also known as Drachenburg. The trail combines the historical connection to the castle with observations from the animal and plant worlds. The Bister Gorge provides a distinct connection with nature. The narrow valley lies directly outside the market town of Kozje. There, visitors interested in nature can observe numerous special features of the animal and plant worlds.

Vetrnik can be reached on foot from Kozje in 1.5 hours.

Before booking, it is worth checking the price components as well as the booking and cancellation conditions of the specific hotel offer.

Other Places

Rogatec, Bistrica Ob Sotli, Podčetrtek, Roginska Gorca, Pristava pri Mestinju, Gabrce, Podsreda, Lesično

For the overview of the wider travel area: Šmarje Pri Jelšah.