Tuši's blog: 15290

Saturday, March 27, 2021

15290

Slovenia: Bela krajina

End of March, promising weather. Our motorbikes were resting for a long time and Nada and me decided to take them out, destination Bela Krajina - White Carniola, a region in south-eastern Slovenia. The bikes had no issues with the first start up procedure in 2021, so we were quickly ready for the road and we decided to use side roads only. Our destination was lunch in Bela Krajina, at Nada's friend Lidija and on the way we picked up a few interesting geocaches. After the lunch we continued to Metlika and Semič and soon our direction set back to North. We made a little longer stop Žužemberk, where we had a closer look at the castle and then we headed straight to home.

After an hour of riding, it was time for the first geocache.

They were happy on the road.

Well called Škrjanški studenec.

In the past, the well was an important source for drinking, laundry and watering livestock.

Tuši, Blue Horse and Giant Sequoia at Ruperčvrh.

Jožef Ernest Paradeiser built a new mansion and other outbuildings called Ruperč vrh between the years 1641 and 1657. It was burnt down by partisans in 1943, so only a wall remains there, along with the sequoia from around 1885.

After the lunch we visited Žužemberk castle, 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.

The castle was badly damaged during World War II and restoration work has been ongoing ever since.

One of its most esteemed owners was Janez Vajkard I Auersperg (Johann Weikhard of Auersperg), the tutor of the emperor Ferdinand III, who was court councillor and the first minister in the Habsburg monarchy, and who obtained family rights to prevent the castle's sale.