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Žužemberk
The Municipality of Žužemberk is located in Suha krajina. Žužemberk, the centre of Suha krajina, lies at the upper point of the Krka River and combines many diverse natural and cultural heritages that are worth visiting: the Krka River and river valley, tufa thresholds in Prapreča, tufa thresholds below the castle, the route of a Roman road, Žužemberk Castle, a cast-iron fountain, a cemetery cross from 1867, the Church of St. Mohor and Fortunatus, the Church of St. Roka, the Church of St. Nicholas, the Zajčev mlin mill, the Vehovčev mlin mill, the Rojčev mlin mill, the Gričarjev mlin mill, the ruins of a paper mill and an NOB monument at Cvibelj.
1. Žužemberk Castle
Grad Žužemberk is one of the most picturesque castles in Slovenia. Its history dates back to the 13th century and in the 16th century it was converted into a fortress with 7 defensive towers. From 1538 until World War II, the Auerspergs were its owners. During the war, the town was bombed, and in 1960, it began to be restored. The castle hosts cultural and touristic events every summer.
2. Church of St. Mohor and Fortunatus
Church of St. Mohor and Fortunatus is a twin towered baroque church that dominates the hill above Žužemberk. In 1944, it was burned down and in 1993 it was renovated under the direction of architect F. Kvaternik. The main altar and the altar of Mary have been restored on the basis of archived photographs. The church has two altars and the Way of the Cross as well as 35 registered Bach baroque organs, which were blessed in 2005. The church has reared many artists including Tone Perko, Maša and Nikolaj Mašuk and domestic carver Miha Legan.
3. Tufa thresholds on the Krka River
The Krka is the only Slovenian river that secretes tufa. Tufa is formed in relatively shallow water, where it is secreted from dissolved limestone and then accumulates on plants in the riverbed. When the plants die, tufa sediment remains. This creates tufa thresholds. On the Krka there are 90 of those sills and the most picturesque are near the village of Krka, in Žužemberk and in Dvor. In the past, mills and saw mills were built next to tufa thresholds, and because they wished to ensure that water leaked at the same level all the time, the sills were sawn. On account of the decay of most mills and saw mills that no longer operate, the dam increases every year by a few centimetres.
4. Auersperg Ironworks in Dvor
The Ironworks in Dvor operated from 1796 to 1891 and was one of the biggest industrial plants in Slovenia. Ignac Plantz played a crucial role in its development when he updated the classic ironworks in the iron foundry. In addition to cast and wrought iron products for the economic and construction industry, they also produced cast artistic items that were considered very modern in the first half of the 19th century in Europe. Among other things, they also produced candlesticks, plates, stoves, grave crosses, wells and balcony and bridge rails, those items being among the first examples of industrial design in Slovenia. In 1891, the ironworks had to cease operating because the competition became too severe.
5. Church of St. Nicholas and St. Roka
These are the oldest churches in the Municipality of Žužemberk. The Church of St. Nicholas from the 13th century still has preserved remnants of medieval frescoes. The Church of St. Roka over Stranska was built as a sign of gratitude when the plague ceased to cause deaths in Žužemberk in 1625. Both are protected as cultural monuments.
