Smlednik - Leap between the waters and beyond

Checkered morning
For a good morning, let's choose a warm apple roll or any other fragrant bakery product and then continue driving towards Zbilje and further to the village of Smlednik. Here we will see the "city of crime" - Smledniški Old Castle, which in terms of design and construction development represents a medium-sized medieval castle in central Slovenia in its purest form, which is why its ruins go beyond local importance and are among the most important in Slovenia. The Calvary of Smlednik or Way of the Cross on the hill below is also valuable. With its fourteen chapels and three crosses on the top, it is a unique architectural feature that was built in 1772 by the manor of Smledniški, Baron Franc Smledniški. The chapels are visible from afar. Since their restoration in 2001, they have attracted many visitors both during the day and in the evening, when they are beautifully lit and shine on the hill. But night is still far away, so let's park our vehicle next to the axis - the new school, in front of the store or the headquarters of the local community and continue on. Let the chapels be our guide, so let's climb the path that leads past them to the top of Smledniška Castle. And before we know it (after approx. 20 min. of walking), a pleasant snack bar appears in front of us just below the summit. While sipping homemade tea, you can additionally enjoy the picturesque view of Lake Zbiljska and the Polhograjska and Loška hills. But let's take the opportunity to climb a few meters higher to explore the remains of the mysterious ruins. Then a hop, back, but on a different path! There are quite a few to choose from, so one of them is macadam, but also suitable for vehicles. Let's choose the forest and enjoy the impressions of the awakening nature.

On a horse!
To continue our adventure, we can choose to visit three interesting churches in the area, which are famous for their exterior as well as their interior and their paintings. One is already nearby, namely the parish church of St. Urha in Smlednik, while the church of St. Valburge in the village of Valburga, the church of St. Jakob in the village of Hraše a little further. But since we have different interests, we can also choose an alternative and explore the surroundings from a different perspective - from horseback. In the village of Hraše is the Janhar Riding Center (Norik Equestrian Society), where we will be able to explore the green surroundings in an unforgettable way. We will charge for an hour of riding..., but we can also decide to ride a horse-rider or sign up for their course, where they will teach us about a new challenge and prepare us for a gallop. But even before we approach the afternoon, we stop the horses and balance our adrenaline in the peaceful surroundings of Lake Zbiljski.

A calm afternoon
So let's head back towards Zbilje, where on the way, right next to the left bank of the Sava and the beginning of Lake Zbilje, we will also pass by Camp Smlednik, which is chosen by those looking for peace. With its large green area of four hectares, it enables a pleasant stay in nature for 400 guests. The proximity of the lake invites you to lie on the beach or swim in the lake. There is a snack bar in the camp, it is possible to rent caravans and bungalows, as well as a special place for organizing a picnic. But since the camp opens its doors on the first of May, this time we can only walk along the nearby forest paths and enjoy a bit of the tranquility that the forest offers. For a complete conclusion, let's drive to Zbiljski jezera. It is located at an altitude of 328.5 meters above sea level, has an area of 0.72 square kilometers and 7 million cubic meters of water. There are many water birds on the lake and many fish in the lake. There are many walking paths along the lake, and it is also possible to fish in it. We can rent a boat, play a game of tennis, decide to play volleyball or basketball. In the evening, we can have fun in the company of a DJ and enjoy various types of cocktails offered by Bistro Dotik right by the lake. But no one will blame us if, after such a full day, we just sit comfortably on one of the comfortable chairs and enjoy the view of the surroundings and the happenings. But it may happen that many people will envy us if we order their specialty, the Dotik pancake, filled with cherries, Nutella, almonds and cinnamon. But don't let that distract us, because such a crime is worth every sin, and we treat ourselves to a pancake before going home without hesitation.