Pot Temenica
Temenica Trail: From Mirna Peč to Zijale
The landscape of Mirna Peč is characterized by strong karst features and underground water flow. The settlement is concentrated in the valleys of Mirna Peč, Globodol, and Šentjur. The first mentions of the area date back to the 12th century when the parish was established. Numerous Turkish invasions, fires, and plagues led to the decline of the area. The revival began with the arrival of the railway in the late 19th century and the connection to the highway in 2010. Mirna Peč is also known as the birthplace of the Slovenian poet Tone Pavček and the accordionist and singer Lojze Slak. In their memory, a pleasant hike is organized every year.
This time we invite you to Mirna Peč, the smallest municipality in the Dolenjska region, located in the Temenica River basin. Join us on an interesting hiking trail to Zijal. A part of the hiking path “Pot Temenica, from Mirna Peč to Zijal” was officially opened by the Mirna Peč Tourist Association in 2009.
The trail is marked and suitable for families with children and hikers with average physical fitness. The trail is 6 km long and can be walked in an hour of moderate walking. From the Vrhpeči valley to the Zijalo cliff is a 10-minute walk.
The trail will take you through six points (marked on the map).
Perišče »Na Ulcah« (1)
Three preserved stones on the right bank of Temenica, near the bridge, are the remains of a former washing place. Housewives from Mirna Peč and the neighboring Gorenji Podboršt carried or transported dirty laundry in wooden tubs on their heads or with carts. They would place the dirty laundry on the stone, lather it with homemade soap, scrub it with a brush, or strike it against the stone. Then, they would rinse it in water. They did this washing in both summer and winter, usually on Saturdays or Mondays. This method of washing was laborious and time-consuming.
Small Hydroelectric Power Plant in Ivanja Vas (2)
Once, water powered a stone mill and a Venetian sawmill here. In 2004, a small hydroelectric power plant began operating at Patet’s on the Temenica River. Every year, during the municipal holiday, fishermen organize a fishing competition here. Due to the slow flow, the Temenica meanders past Ivanja Vas, where the most beautiful bend is located. During heavy rainfall, the river overflows its banks and floods the nearby meadows.
Village Spring (3)
Near the washing place below Biška vas, there is a spring where the villagers used to get water for everyday use (drinking, cooking) during dry periods, which is why it was carefully maintained. The water in the spring is warmer than in the Temenica River, so the laundresses used it for washing in the winter.
Washing place below Biška vas
The concrete washing site on the left bank of the Temenica River was built at the initiative of Alojz Špendal from Biška Vas, the first post-war mayor of Mirna Peč. Between the two washing stones, there are steps leading down to the water. For washing sheets, the washerwomen used a wooden plank placed at an angle. At the site, they mostly just rinsed the laundry. They washed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The washerwomen also chatted among themselves. A saying became popular: “Just go to the water, and you’ll learn everything.”
Venček’s spring and the abandoned mill
Temenica has several tributary springs in addition to its main source. At the beginning of the valley near the bridge, there is a stronger spring, and next to it, a newly erected sacramental cemetery cross (ironworks at Dvor). The water flows through a side channel into Temenica. Below Jelše, there is the Žagar spring and the captured Jelški spring, which used to supply the villagers of Jelše and Vrhpeči with water before the central water supply was built. On the right bank of Temenica stands the impressive industrial building of the former Venck (Miklič) mill. Rakes testify that the water once powered the mill wheels and the Venetian sawmill. Nearby the source of Temenica were the Greznik and Krevs mills.
Zijalo (5, 6)
Near the village of Vrpeč in Zijal, on the southern side of St. Ana Hill (407 m), the Temenica springs for the second time. Beneath a 35-meter-high rock cliff lies a high-water spout, or the Water Cave below Zijal. The cave contains a standing lake from which water spurts out only during heavy rainfall. Nearby are two other caves: Fantovska Hole and Ajdovska Cave. The beautiful and unspoiled nature attracts an increasing number of visitors. Zijal is protected as a natural monument due to its hydrogeological and geomorphological features.
Temenica
It is the largest karst sinkhole in the Dolenjska region. A significant part of it flows through dark karst underground, which is likely why this river got its name, Temenica. It springs from the southern slopes of the Posavje Hills, below the village of Javorje. In its upper course, it flows through impermeable rocks, but near the village of Dolenje Ponikve, it transitions to permeable limestone, where it sinks in numerous swallowholes. At its source at Zijalo, Temenica mysteriously enters the Mirnopeška Valley and lazily flows through it all the way to Goriška vas, where it disappears underground for the second time. Its third and final spring is at Luknja near Prečna. After a long journey through the underground, Temenica calms down, winding lazily through the Zaloško field before almost imperceptibly flowing into the Krka River.
