I remember hrom elementary school that the geometrical center of Slovenia lies near the village called Vače. The village is also known for vaška situla, for which some say it might be the oldest archeological site in Slovenia. This time I also visited two castles – Tuštanj and Bogenšperk, and checked out a wooden pavement. And apart from all the cultural sights, these villages above all enjoy the quiet country life, sometimes appealing also to us students.
Castle Tuštanj, Spodnji Tuštanj
You can go about it any way you want – you can start at Velika Preska and end at Spodnji Tuštanj,but I’ve done just the opposite.
From the motorway I took a turn and headed for the beautiful castle first, in the middle of the vivid mid-Slovenian countryside. Before I started thinking where to go, I saw the signs and came to the top of the hill, with the castle. It was a mighty sight above the spread houses of the village. There was no one at the reception, but soon I was welcomed by a guy dancing toward me from the nearby farmhouse.
Apart from peacocks that walk freely in the garden, there was also a sleepy park, a inner garden and a well. I walked through it and up the stairway where I saw a bell which is probably rung by newly married couples (and tourists). The fee for a guided tour was 4€, but I hadn’t the time anyway, so I went on.
GEOSS, Slivna
From Tuštanja I went through Moravče towards a place called Slivna. This is the middle of our hen and well marked – and again on top of a hill. On the way already I saw a huge billboard for a forest adrenalin park with 72 climbing elements. I parked at the Kimičev museum of old times and went pass the football field along the vining road to reach the destination.
To be honest, I didn’t expect such a great location, for one of the most important stones of Slovenia. The paved mosaic of Slovenian geologically typical rocks, there was a monument with the first stanza of Zdravljica – the most famous poem of France Prešeren.
As a real constructor I also noted the neatly arranged local weekend cottages. On the way back I also found out about, but didn’t try, the healing effects of the forest at the plateau.
Vaška situla, Vače
Before I got to find the situla I got stuck at two other places. First I was overwhelmed by the natural monument of the sea fosils above the village. It’s a part of the steep rock from the moisten era, stretching from east to west with various sea shells. When I found a shining remain of an oyster I was satisfied and could go on.
I told you already about the adventure adrenalin park, which offers several programmes. One of them also includes an archaeological tour of Vače and its surroundings, enhanced by the local theatrical group. With the purpose of education they’ve prepared a family theatre in Vače. They await you at the archeological sites to interpret them.
Vače are a small village along the road with an obligatory church right in the middle, with one of the best ways of the cross in the world. In front of the St. Andrew church is the village well and the GEOSS house. A few steps away is the old place for laundering. The village also features the scales.
A five times larger copy of the situla from 1983 by Vekoslav Bombač and Božo Mostar stands at the beginning of the archaeological trail. Through the green patina of the copper you can see the wold and other images of the past, for this situla seems to be something of a historical comic book.
Pictures are in three rows. The top one features the passing of the horsemen and guides, with a symbol of eternal life. The middle one has scenes from everyday lives (offerings, serving, wrestling with an audience). And the bottom one features scenes from the animal kingdom. As a curiosity, which I also found out only there, let me say, that the little images in the Slovenian passport are taken from this situla.
Other important monuments of the archaeological trail are the cemeteries from the iron age at the Rebra above Laz, Drage and Ronkarjeve Drage, with a former terrace settlement at the lower and upper Krona.
More to follow in the next issue of the Globetrotter!
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