CENTURIES OF PEOPLE'S CONNECTION WITH NATURE
A landscape park is an area with an emphasis on the quality and long-term intertwining of man and nature, which has great ecological, biotic or landscape value. The landscape park belongs to the fifth category of the internationally valid IUCN classification. It covers an area protected primarily for the preservation of exceptional natural phenomena, for the preservation of the landscape and for recreation.
ROBANOV KOT LANDSCAPE PARK
- CENTURIES OF HUMANKIND'S CONNECTION WITH NATURE
The Robanov kot Landscape Park is a 5km long and up to 400m wide alpine glacier-transformed valley, which runs from the ridge below Ojstrica to the mouth of the Bela stream into the Savinja river. The bottom of the valley is filled with rubble, gravel and moraines, and the slopes rise steeply to the peaks of Strelovec, Krofička, Ojstrica, Molička planina, Veliki vrh, Poljske device and Križevnik. Extensive forests, rugged mountain peaks, torrential streams, the diversity of flora and fauna and the harmonious landscape give Robanov kot its exceptional natural and cultural value. A large part of the landscape park is important for the conservation of Europe’s endangered animal and plant species and their habitats, thus it is part of the European Natura 2000 ecological network. Homesteads that have coexisted with nature for centuries have each adapted in their own way. Attentive visitors to the farms can find many interesting and telling details.
HOMESTEADS IN THE ROBANOV KOT VALLEY
Homesteads that have coexisted with nature for centuries have each adapted in their own way, which is evident at first glance. Attentive visitors can see numerous interesting and telling details.
The Bevšek homestead testifies to life in the past. It features an interesting outbuilding with frescoes, a plague sign, an old sawmill and a smithy. At the Bevšek-Ošep tourist farm, guests can enjoy peaceful leisure time and good home-made food. The Pečovnik-Ošep tourist farm has apartments for visitors, and also serves a good home-made breakfast. The Pečovnik-Ošep tourist farm has apartments for visitors, and also serves a good home-made breakfast. The Govc-Vršnik tourist farm is known for its excellent food and beautiful surroundings. A stay at the tourist farm always seems too short. The Roban farm has long been known for its beekeeping, hunting and mountain grazing. Nowadays, the owners are mainly engaged in animal husbandry and forestry, while still maintaining the tradition of working on the alpine pasture as well as playing the zither. The alpine pasture is a popular destination for hikers in the summer, while mountaineers continuing their journey onwards to Korošica, Ojstrica or other peaks of the Savinja Alps also stop off at the farm for refreshments enroute. The road rises from Roban above the valley to three more farms: Vršnik, Havdej and Knez. The farmers here are mainly engaged in animal husbandry and forestry. Flocks of the indigenous and esteemed Jezersko-Solčava breed of sheep can be seen on mountain pastures. Wool and felt products are becoming increasingly popular among visitors to the area.
The Solčava area welcomes guests who:
• respect nature
• respect the work of the locals and do no harm
• adhere to the warnings, recommendations and requests of the locals
• are considerate of animals and do not disturb them unnecessarily
• do not disturb of touch livestock, crops and machinery
• help protect rare and endangered animals and plants
• donate time to getting to know our environment, life and habits
• behave sustainably, green and with nature in mind
• take rubbish home or put it in rubbish bins, thus leaving nothing but your footprint
• are open to experiencing the Solčava area and taking a piece of it home in their heart