Plan your visit

Trg Davorina Jenka 13
4207 Cerklje na Gorenjskem

T: 04 281 58 00

W: cerklje.si (opens in a new tab)

W: cerklje.si (opens in a new tab)

E: obcinacerklje@siol.net

W: www.cerklje.si (opens in a new tab)

Office hours:

• Monday: 8.00–11.00 and 12.00–14.00
• Wednesday: 8.00–11.00 and 12.00–16.00
• Friday: 8.00–11.00

The Mayor of the Municipality of Cerklje na Gorenjskem receives residents and other visitors every Wednesday from 8.00 to 11.00.

Trg Davorina Jenka 13, 4207 Cerklje na Gorenjskem

T: 030 718 777

Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8.00–11.00 and 12.00–15.00
Wednesday: 13.00–14.00 and 15.00–18.00
Saturday, Sunday: Closed

Trg Davorina Jenka 13
4207 Cerklje na Gorenjskem

T: 04 208 45 10

E: info@gbkr.si

Opening hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8.00–12.00 and 13.00–16.00
Tuesday: 8.00–12.00 and 13.00–17.00
Friday: 8.00–12.00 and 13.00–15.00

Krvavška cesta 1B
4207 Cerklje na Gorenjskem

T: 04 281 58 25

E: cerklje@mkk.si

W: Kranj City Library (Mestna knjižnica Kranj)
Open:
Mon–Wed: 14.00–19.00
Thu–Fri: 8.00–13.00
Sat–Sun: Closed

Slovenska cesta 28
4207 Cerklje na Gorenjskem

T: 04 20 16 170

E: lekarna.cerklje@gorenjske-lekarne.si

Open:
Mon–Fri: 7.00–19.00
Saturday: 8.00–12.00
Sunday: Closed
Krvavec cable car timetable and prices

rtc-krvavec.si/cenik-urnik (opens in a new tab)

Cerklje–Ljubljana bus service

arriva.si (opens in a new tab)

112 – Emergency number: emergency medical services, fire brigade and other rescue services

080 1200 – Anonymous police line for reporting crimes and passing on

1987 – AMZS roadside assistance in Slovenia
m+cerklje

Cerklje has a long history and appears under various names in medieval sources. In 1239 two forms are recorded: Tirnovlach, the old name Trnovlje, and Cirkelach, from which today's name Cerklje developed.

An old legend is also linked to the origin of the name Trnovlje. On the spot where the Cerklje parish church stands today, shepherds are said to have found an image of the Virgin Mary among the thorns. Because the image kept returning to the place where it had been found, a chapel called Mary in the Thorns (Marija v trnju) was built there, and the place is said to have been named Trnovlje.

Later, the Church of the Assumption of Mary stood on this site, together with two smaller churches beside it. Because of the three churches standing side by side, people began to call the place Cerkve (‘churches’), or Cérkle in the Gorenjska (Upper Carniola) dialect.

In the Middle Ages, numerous manor houses stood in the area of today's municipality. Of the twelve medieval manors, only Strmol Castle has survived to this day, and it is one of the most important cultural and historical monuments in the municipality.

An important part of the area's history is also linked to the former Velesovo convent and the Church of the Annunciation in Adergas, which remain an important part of the local religious and cultural heritage to this day.

Over the centuries, life in the Cerklje area was shaped above all by farming, livestock breeding and various traditional crafts. Horse breeding was also important, and was already mentioned by Janez Vajkard Valvasor in the 17th century.

One of the area's specialities is Velesovo pretzels (velesovske preste). In the past, these salty, hard pastries were made mainly for pilgrims coming to Velesovo. According to tradition, the recipe was brought to the convent by nuns from Vienna; after the convent was dissolved, pretzel baking continued as a home craft in several nearby houses. Today, the tradition of baking pretzels to a 16th-century recipe is carried on by the Jagodic pretzel bakery in Vodice.

Today, Cerklje's rich history is reflected in its many preserved buildings, museum collections and monuments. In the centre of the village you can visit the Hribar Villa Museum, the Birthplace of Ignacij Borštnik, Petrovc House and the Memorial Park of Notable Figures, while in Spodnji Brnik you will find the Franci Strupi Farm and Beekeeping Museum.

Hribar Villa is associated with Ivan Hribar (1851–1941), long-serving Mayor of Ljubljana, politician, businessman and diplomat. In 1886 he bought what was then the Ukež house in Cerklje and had it converted into his beloved summer residence. Cerklje became his second home, where he spent his leisure time, welcomed friends and acquaintances, and took part in local life.

Today, the renovated Hribar Villa is home to the Museum of the Municipality of Cerklje na Gorenjskem. Its permanent exhibitions present the archaeological, ethnological and historical heritage of the municipality, bringing visitors closer to the development of the area, the lives of our ancestors and the story of Ivan Hribar.

Ignacij Borštnik, actor, director, teacher and one of the founders of Slovenian professional theatre, was born in Cerklje in 1858.

His birthplace has been carefully restored, preserving many original features of the way people once lived. The house also presents the life and creative career of Ignacij Borštnik.

Today, his name is borne by the Borštnik Festival (Festival Borštnikovo srečanje) and the Borštnik Ring, while in Cerklje he is also commemorated by the Ignacij Borštnik Cultural Hall and his bust in the Memorial Park.

The birthplace can be visited by prior arrangement.

Petrovc House, or Pr' Petrovc, is one of the most recognisable old buildings in the centre of Cerklje. This imposing masonry house with its richly decorated façade and frescoes acquired its present appearance in the mid-19th century, as shown by the year 1863 carved into its stone portal.

It was once a combined residential and craft house, and its owners also ran a hospitality business. An inn (gostilna) operated here until the Second World War.

Today, Petrovc House is home to TIC Cerklje (Tourist Information Centre), the Cerklje Local Library and a gallery that hosts a variety of exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year.

Right next to Petrovc House is the Memorial Park of Notable Figures, dedicated to people who were born in the Cerklje area or who left a significant mark on the village through their lives and work.

The park features busts of six notable figures: Ignacij Borštnik, the pioneer of Slovenian professional theatre; Janez Čebulj, priest and missionary; France Barle, a leading organiser of the Slovenian fire service; Janez Mežan, academic painter; Andrej Vavken, teacher, composer and long-serving Mayor of Cerklje; and France Kimovec, priest, composer and expert in church music.

In this way, the park brings together in one place people who made a significant mark on Cerklje and on Slovenia as a whole in a variety of fields.

In Spodnji Brnik stands the private Franci Strupi Farm and Beekeeping Museum, which introduces visitors to the development of beekeeping and to life and work in the countryside in times past.

The renovated old house displays a rich collection of beekeeping and farming tools and everyday objects. Among them are earthenware pots, shoemaker's tools and many other items that tell of the work and lives of past generations. The museum also has a shop selling home-made beekeeping products.

More than 40 cultural, sports, fire-brigade and other societies are active in the municipality. Contacts and introductions are listed by group:

Cultural societies

Sports clubs

Volunteer fire brigades and the Cerklje Firefighters' Association

Other societies and organisations

Trg Davorina Jenka 13
4207 Cerklje na Gorenjskem

T: +386 51 387 373

T: +386 4 281 58 22

E: info@visitcerklje.si

Director: Ana Pavec

E: ana.pavec@visitcerklje.si

Špela Bergant – Chair, representative of the founder
Vlado Ahčin – Vice-Chair, representative of the interested public
Silva Dolinar – Member, representative of the founder
Anton Kopitar – Member, representative of the founder

Luka Jezeršek – Chair
Dejan Podgoršek
Špela Triller
Andreja Bogataj
Mirjam Grilc

The future development of tourism in Cerklje na Gorenjskem is based on the DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT VISION, which states:

The tourist destination of Cerklje na Gorenjskem is an attractive, green and healthy tourist area for residents and visitors alike, built on sustainable development, natural and cultural heritage and a healthy living environment. It focuses on an integrated range of sports, cultural and culinary tourism. It is shaped by a specialised year-round offer that makes possible an authentic, healthy and active holiday, with a sense of wellbeing in a homely setting. The municipality's well-planned spatial layout and infrastructure support the development of tourism and farming, as well as of all activities connected with tourism.

All information on the tourist tax (reporting guests and overnight stays, and instructions on payment) can be found at the link below.

cerklje.si/objava/223075 (opens in a new tab)