In this post you will explore rural Slovenia through the photos from Primostek, Metlika, Rosalnice and Božakovo municipalities in the Bela Krajina region in Slovenia.
We humans are funny. We’re always missing something that we assume we should have/see/or get…Ideally instantly.
Rural Slovenia doesn’t speak much. She doesn’t have an urge to explain why there are only a few or sometimes no villagers or farmers as far as the eye can see.
Rather than that, her rural places try to keep us present, “Look where you’re standing and walking!” I could hear it shouting…
Rural Slovenia drags us back from whining about feeling hot at noon, cold at night, missing good Internet all the time, driving to get a meal, or not being able to walk into our favourite store to get a beer whenever we fancy.
There are only two million people living in the whole country, so you might often feel like there is noone around when exploring rural Slovenia and indulginging in some stunning landscape views of Bela Krajina, one of many off beaten path regions of the country.
Why travel to rural Slovenia?
Rural Slovenia’s mission is clear and simple. It teleports you into the previous century as you pass by crumbling houses, peak into old stables, and watch craftsmen passionately working on their art.
Here the old crafts remind you of the days when your ancestors made many tools and products by hand, because there was no eBay where you could buy anything anytime.
It was a time when grannies embroidered linen dresses so they could supply their daughters with some fancy dowry, since brides and grooms didn’t really accept cash at weddings at that time.
These crafts teach you to appreciate the value of handmade handiwork and make you realise that many times “hand made” actually means “heart made,” as a craftsman weaves their warmness, friendliness or hardship into cotton fabric, a leather bag, wooden toys, or iron tools.
The crafts inspire you to touch the natural materials so you can remember how soil, linen, water, clay or oil feels like on your skin once again…
Who rules in rural Slovenia?
Somehow, urban vibes make us restless from within. On the contrary, the tranquillity and feeling that “time has paused” in the countryside soothes us, gives us space and time for contemplating life; a feeling that we desperately (and often unsuccessfully) seek in the cities.
Right here is where the long desired abundance of time hides, all this because it stopped in deep transparent waters, between hills, woods and stone houses and never left.
It feels almost surreal to see the land touched by a human hand; cultivated, yet not devastated. Endless yards of green grapes stretch throughout rural Slovenia…
Plan your trip to Slovenia:
- Things to do in Ljubljana: Tips on Culture, Food and Outdoor
- A Travel Guide to the Logar and Jezersko Valleys in Slovenia
- Things to do in Lake Bohinj in Slovenia
- Glamping in Slovenia: Bela Krajina Experience
In Slovenia, every mountain, lake, cave, and mountain caches a story. There are hills with names, hidden paths where magic happened, and woods and rivers where entities used their super power.
Naturally, all is preserved in Slovenian folk legends.
Venerable wooden crosses, resistant stone towers of churches and ancient crucifixes placed along the roads, on the houses, and in the middle of yellow wheat fields, remind us of what locals believe in nowadays.
For some reason, when I see Catholic symbols in a natural setting, it feels like there is no obligation to follow any laws, because they are placed in nature which rules it all at the end of the day…
Good then, even better now
A rusty plow and brand new tractor. Iron tools and plastic chairs.
That’s how old days of hard manual labour mingle with modern farming skills and convenience.
The mud walls keep the most untold stories above all “rural witnesses.” They can tell you about every single layer, every strong man who built them, and the era when they were constructed.
Now, only thanks to those walls not shy to “get naked,” and show their cracks, tiers, and traces of flood, heavy rains, or fresh white paint that a new owner generously put on them; we can potentially understand the past and present of Bela Krajina.
Rural is a place where pink geranium flowers dominate over cactus “intruders,” that dare spoil the bucolic feeling of the village atmosphere.
It’s a place where neatly cut wood covered with plastic foil stands provocatively near the old piles ready to be used. Seems like new technologies compete with the old ways so they can see who’s going to persevere harsh winters.
Slovenia, like probably any other country in Europe, proves once again: the rural is not equal to the old-fashioned.
Thinking about Europe trip? Read on:
- Where to Stay in Prague: The Best Neighborhoods and Hotels
- Train Travel in Europe with Interrail
- Things to Do in Frankfurt: Explore the City Like a Local
- Things to do in Bulgaria: Plan Your Trip To The Balkans
- The Best Beaches to Visit in Greece
- The Best Places to Visit in Croatia
Rural is a friend of green, original, and sometimes depopulated, yet vibrant and most of all — connected to the present, because it remembers the past very well.
Disclosure: A big thanks goes to Big Berry who made this discovery of present and past of rural Slovenia possible.
8 thoughts on “20 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Rural Slovenia”
I have never thought of visiting or traveling to Slovenia, but your post is making me think its a place to put on my bucket list. Your description really captures the feeling and mood of the place and space. Beautiful photographs too.
Peta
Thanks a lot for your lovely feedback, Peta. Slovenia is GORGEOUS and not spoiled by mass tourism. Yet. There are so many undiscovered and beautiful places to see!
You might want to check our other articles for some inspiration: https://nomadisbeautiful.com/travel-blogs/category/slovenia/
Happy travels!
Ivana
My homeland, love it! Love to visit all the time, but my heart is torn. Get me thinking, here … there …. where !? My life is in Canada now…….Keep showing great pics.
Thank you for stopping by Ivanka! I can understand it must be hard to live as an expat far from your homeland, but as far as you can come back for at least a visit, it’s all good, right? Hopefully you can find joy and peace also in Canada and call it your home one day, too.
I was blessed to visit my mother’s home land again after many, many years. She is from Kobriad where all my family still live. The country side is so beautiful, with the gorgeous mountain to the clean waters flowing. You can feel calm and at peace when you are there. It is good for your soul. Hopefully with in a couple of years I will be able to return there.
Sweet! As you said Anna, calm and peace is what characterises Slovenia the most. Hopefully you’ll get there in the future so you can enjoy the serenity again!
Lovely post. So thoughtful and capturing the stories from the land and illustrating with photos of unusual aspects.
Thanks so much, Terri! Have you visited Slovenia or do yo plan to do it any time soon? It’s a beautiful country, indeed.
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