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Slovenia

Architectural, Cultural sights in Slovenia

  1. Liznjek House

    One of the very few sights in Kranjska Gora, the endearing late-18th-century Liznjek House contains quite a good collection of household objects and furnishings peculiar to this area of Gorenjska. Among the various exhibits here are some excellent examples of trousseau chests covered in folk paintings, some 19th-century icons painted on glass and a collection of linen tablecloths (the valley was famed for its flax and its weaving).

    Antique carriages and a sledge are kept in the massive barn out the back, which once housed food stores as well as pigs and sheep. The stable reserved for cows below the main building now contains a memorial room dedicated to the life and work…

    reviewed

  2. A

    Venetian House

    One of Piran's most eye-catching structures is the red 15th-century Gothic Venetian House, with its tracery windows and balcony in the northeast of the square. There is a story attached to the stone relief between the two windows of a lion with a banner in its mouth and the Latin inscription Lassa pur dir above it.

    A wealthy merchant from Venice fell in love with a beautiful local girl, but she soon became the butt of local gossips. To shut them up (and keep his lover happy), the merchant built her this little palace complete with a reminder for his loose-lipped neighbours: "Let them talk".

    reviewed

  3. Šivec House

    The most important house on Linhartov trg is the 16th-century Šivec House, which is an interesting hybrid: Renaissance on the outside and Gothic within. On the ground floor there is a vaulted hall, which now serves as a gallery, and on the 1st floor a wood-panelled late-Gothic drawing room with a beamed ceiling used as wedding hall. There is also a chimney-less 'black kitchen' and an interesting collection of children's book illustrations by celebrated Slovenian artists.

    The fresco on the exterior shows the Good Samaritan performing his work of mercy.

    reviewed

  4. Oplen House

    Oplen House, is a typical old peasant's cottage with a chimneyless 'smoke kitchen' that has been turned into a museum focusing on the domestic life of peasants in the Bohinj area at the turn of the 20th century. But Studor's real claim to fame is its many toplarji, the double-linked hayracks with barns or storage areas at the top. Look for the ones at the entrance to the village; they date from the 18th and 19th centuries.

    reviewed

  5. B

    Plečnik Collection

    A short distance south from the Gradaščica Canal is the house where Jože Plečnik lived and worked for almost 40 years. Today it houses the Ljubljana Architectural Museum's Plečnik Collection. There's an excellent introduction by guided tour to this almost ascetically religious man, his inspirations and his work.

    reviewed

  6. Magazin

    In Trg Svetega Ahacija - the centre of town in the Middle Ages - the large 18th-century building on the north side is the Magazin, a granary and warehouse where the miners, who were paid in food as well as in cash, kept their stores.

    reviewed

  7. Miners' Houses

    Laid out across the slopes encircling the valley are Idrija's distinctive Miners' Houses. Large wooden A-frames with cladding and dozens of windows, they usually had four storeys with living quarters for three or four families.

    reviewed

  8. C

    Koman House

    Several lovely buildings are opposite the Beekeeping Museum on Linhartov trg, including Koman House, which has a baroque painting on its front of St Florian, the patron saint of fires (he douses, not sets, them).

    reviewed

  9. Mali House

    Several lovely buildings are opposite the Beekeeping Museum on Linhartov trg, including Mali House, which has a barely visible picture of St George slaying the dragon.

    reviewed

  10. Vidič House

    The 17th-century Vidič House opposite the Beekeeping Museum on Linhartov trg, has a corner projection and is colourfully painted in red, yellow and blue.

    reviewed

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  12. D

    Medieval Town Houses

    Opposite the Totto Palace are some wonderful old Medieval Town Houses, with protruding upper storeys painted in a checked red, gold and green pattern

    reviewed

  13. House No 17

    House No 17 opposite the Beekeeping Museum Linhartov trg has a fresco of Martin of Tours sharing his cloak with a beggar.

    reviewed

  14. E

    Tartini House

    Across from the Church of St Peter is Tartini House, the composer's birthplace and popular concert venue.

    reviewed

  15. F

    Late Gothic House

    The Late Gothic House, dating from about 1400, has an unusual projection held up by a Moor's head.

    reviewed

  16. G

    Late Gothic House

    The Late Gothic House, dating from about 1400, has an unusual projection held up by a Moor's head.

    reviewed