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AAround the world, UNESCO World Heritage Sites are very popular with visitors. And for reason – as everyone was carefully chosen using 10 strict criteria, both natural and cultural. The Skocjan caves of Slovenia and the forests of primitive beech trees are natural sites considered, while the remaining trio of the country is designated cultural sites. UNESCO recognizes these five World Heritage sites divided into Slovenia, with more temporary in the pipeline. Everyone deserves a full-fledged visit and grouping together a few together is an exciting way to explore the country. You also visit in complete safety in knowledge that a UNESCO list means that the development of each site is carefully monitored to help preserve it so that future generations can take advantage and continue to learn.
1. Skocjan caves
This system of epic caves was the first Slovenian site to be added by UNESCO in 1986. The word karstic comes from the Slovenian name of its region with a distinctive limestone landscape. One of the largest canyons in the underground river in the world – the section explored caves flows for more than 6 km – crosses the massive caves here, which feel like they were sculpted like the secret lair of a bad James Bond. Eking through them during an enlightening guided tour is one of the great travel experiences of Slovenia and much more robust and gratifying than the Postojna caves, with their tourist train. The usual guided tour lasts about three hours and ventures 5 km deep in the caves system, with a myriad of strong points, including crossing the Cerkvenik bridge (which is suspended 50 m above the Reka river) and testifies to the strength of the water while it crosses the system.
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2. The prehistoric heap lives around the Alps
It is a transnational site that Slovenia shares with Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, distributing its UNESCO tentacles on more than 100 locations which all have prehistoric colonies living with batteries. A couple is recognized in Slovenia. They are divided between a northern group (Kolisca Na Igu, Severna Skupina) and a southern group (Kolisca Na Igu, Juzna Skupina), which, together, enlighten the precious life together on the Neolithic life and the Bronze Age Alpine. The two sites are hidden south of Ljubljana on Ljubljansko Barje (Ljubljana Marshes). The oldest of the wooden colonies – named because they were built on heaps led in the marshes or in the water – dates back to the Mesolithic era around 5,000 billion, with other remains strewn around this archaeologically rich landscape. The oldest wheel in the world, a remarkable 5,200 years, was found at the Marais de Ljubljana in 2002 and is now exhibited at the City of the City of Ljubljana, so it gives you an idea if you are running out of time.
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3. Mercury inheritance. Almadén and Idrija
Idrija in Slovenia makes half of this transnational entry with Almaden in Spain. Idrija sports the largest Mercury mine in the world after Almaden, with Mercury, discovered for the first time in the hills here as far as 1490. No simple ruin, the mine is still standing and you can immerse yourself as a visitor, an engaging experience while you literally walk in the jobs of minors. In addition to the most modern mine, the detritus of centuries of exploitation include an invaluable and irreplaceable recording of the way in which the exploration of Mercury has developed and also commemorates the links between here and the Americas. The Museum of Idrija Mine has, for example, more than 800 different samples of ore and minerals of local mercury ore deposits. There are exhibitions that plunge into traditional and more modern techniques used to extract very dangerous mercury.
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4. The forests of primitive beech trees of the carpats and the ancient forests of beech trees in Germany
The Slovenian part of this transnational site is around the virgin forests of Krokar and Sneznik – Zdrocle, which were added to the designation of UNESCO in 2017 alongside forests in 17 other European countries. It is a joy affirming the wandering life in these deeply atmospheric ancient forests. Sneznik – Zdrocle is the largest forestry reserve in Slovenia, carved around 1,796 m high in Sneznik, the highest peak in the northwest karst dinar mountains. A variety of trails allow you to attend the old and preserved forest. The Krokar forest reserve is located in the northern part of the dinaric mountains, where the FIR and beech forests predominate, leading to the inclusion with UNESCO. The circular trail of the 2 -km long Krokar primitive forest is the ideal way to penetrate in the middle of the beech forest and appreciate its beauty without damaging it.
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5. The works of Joze Plecnik
This new UNESCO Slovenian World Heritage Site was added up to 2021. It reinvented the banks of the Ljubljanica river and has brought enormous improvements to public spaces and public institutions, weaving them in a coherent urban whole. The defense of the floods is included in the designation of the defense of aesthetic floods on the Ljubljanica and the triple Italian ornate bridge which crosses it in the center, the striking Roman walls of Mirje, the Grand Zale cemetery and the “green walk”. Its most beautiful building is perhaps the national and university library, well visited by architectural students from around the world. Guided tours operate in Plecnik Ljubljana. Take one, because they really reveal the genius of Plecnik in all its architectural glory. It was the man who managed to evoke concrete in beauty and to use other fashionable and cheaper materials in his impressive creations.
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List of UNESCO Provisional World Heritage – Sites offered by Slovenia for the future inclusion of UNESCO World Heritage
- Fuzina Hills in Bohinj: for the heritage of her alpine pasture cattle.
- French supporter hospital: brilliant supporter hospital of the Second World War made a poignant and moving visit. A unique window on Slovenia during time and the fight against occupying German forces.
- Classic Karst: focused on the renowned karst landscapes of Slovenia. It was the country, after all, which gave the word to the world karstic.
- The Peace Marche of the Alps at the Adriatic – Heritage of the First World War: a site that swirls behind the scenes of the fights during the Second World War around the Soca Valley. The way humans have managed to fight so long in such a ruthless landscape is remarkable and the addition of this site to the list would guarantee that history is protected.
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