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There are over 5000 plants in total and nearly 1000 different
species, ranging from the smallest cactus on earth (the
pebble-like blossfeldia liliputana) to towering giants that nearly
reach the roof of their enclosure. Other notable specimens in
the collection include the well-known echinocactus grusonii,
which is covered in long rigid spikes and joking referred to as
Mother-in-Law’s Cushion, and the so-called Dirty Old Man
Cactus, which looks strikingly like a large green part of the
male anatomy. Perhaps the most interesting plant in the collection
is actually not a cactus at all but the endemic Juvan’s
Houseleek, which only grows on a nearby mountain and is said
to be one of the rarest plants in the world.
The place is maintained by the Friends of Cacti Society of
Slovenia (yes, this really exists!), friendly members of which
are on hand to give tours and answer any questions you have.
Smaller cactuses can also be purchased (quite cheaply), with
the proceeds helping with the upkeep.
Churches
Church of St. Mohor in Fortunat Located in the tiny
hamlet of Male Rode a couple of kilometres east of the
town, this fine-looking church was constructed in the Late
Gothic style towards the end of the 15th century. Despite
it’s obscure location and overall plain interior the church is
famed throughout Slovenia for its golden altar from 1691.
Church of the Holy Cross Built on the site of two former
churches dating back to Roman times, the Church of the Holy
Cross was first mentioned in 1304 although the current building
dates from considerably later having been completed in
1866. A sturdy stone construction built to a neo-Romanesque
design by Joseph Shöble, the church is laid out in a cross
shape and features a total of five altars including two side
altars dedicated to the mother and father of Christ.
Gril Chapel Perched on the hillside in the small village of
Cerovec a few kilometres north of Rogaška Slatina, the Gril
Chapel was constructed after a local farmstead dweller fell
ill in the 1930s and was miraculously cured. The farmstead
is no more, but the chapel remains and is a popular place
of interest for people making the climb to the top of Boč Hill.
St. Anne’s Chapel Located on the side of a small hill on
the edge of town, St. Anne’s Chapel was constructed in 1804
and is dedicated to St. Anne, Rogaška Slatina’s patron saint.
The interior features an altar depicting Mary, the baby Christ
and St. Anne, painted in 1686 by the Baroque master Hans
Adam Weissenkirchner. in the year 1686. The church was
completely renovated in 1926 to the design of the famous
Slovene architect Jože Plečnik (1872-1957). St. Anne’s Day,
July 26, is a national holiday in Slovenia.
Museums & Galleries
junež Homestead Krpanova 11, tel. (+386) 3 581 44
14/(+386) 41 726 015, info@turizem-rogaska.si, www.
rogaska-tourism.com. On the outskirts of town at the foot
of the 326 metre Janina Hill, this gorgeous classic homestead
dating from the 19th century has been in the hands of the
Junež family of farmers since its construction. Complete
with a lovely thatched roof, the building has been an official
monument of culture since 1988 and has been completely
renovated with the help of local masons, carpenters, stovemakers
and restorers to recreate the sense of the traditional
local farming culture. Visiting the building just for a look around
is a pleasure in itself, although there are other reasons to visit.
A local organisation called the Gaja Society organise events
here based on traditional country cuisine, offering a range of
classic dishes including special breads, cheese pastries and
dezelaceljska.inyourpocket.com
rogaška Slatina
a sweet dish fortified with rum that’s a particular favourite at
Easter. Visits to the homestead can be arranged through the
local tourist information people.
Museum of rogaška Slatina Some 40,000 individual
drawings and etching make up the entire collection, which
features European work from the 16th to the 19th century
and all of it donated to the spa resort by the Swiss patron of
the arts Kurt Műller. The collection used to be exhibited in the
Museum of Graphic Art, located inside the city’s Administrative
Building, the oldest building in town and well worth a visit
even if graphic arts don’t interest you.
rogaška Crystal
Photo by Jure Kravanja
Ulica Talcev 1, tel. (+386) 3 818 01 70, info@stekrogaska.si,
www.steklarna-rogaska.si. One of the
leading producers of crystal ware in the world, Rogaška
Crystal (Steklarna Rogaška) has been based in Rogaška
Slatina since it was founded way back in 1927. Following
on from a long tradition of glass-making in the town dating
back to at least the mid-17th century, the company both
utilises and consciously preserves manual glass-making
skills of the highest quality that date back centuries.
Balancing functionality with design excellence, Rogaška
Crystal employs a full-time team of five designers who
work alongside a range of highly skilled technicians who
use traditional glass-blowing and hand-cutting techniques
to produce lead crystal and crystalline individual pieces
and collections made from a blend of the finest quartz
sand, red lead and other trace ingredients. Producing
everything from decanters to candlesticks to sports
trophies awarded to such celebrated names as Björn
Borg, Svetlana Khorkina and Michael Schumacher, the
company’s products grace the homes of countless celebrities
including the American billionaire Donald Trump after
whom a range of exclusive glassware is named. Despite
the fact that over half Rogaška Crystal’s products are
exported abroad, the company does operate a number of
shops around Slovenia and a visit to any of them is highly
recommended. And if you find yourself in town during the
week you should definitely take advantage of one of the
twice-daily tours given Monday to Friday at the factory, a
fascinating 30-minute experience costing just €4 which
also includes a small crystal gift. To arrange a tour, call
tel. (+386) 3 818 02 37 or send an email to prodajalna2@
stek-rogaska.si.
Dežela Celjska In Your Pocket
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