Slovenian trails.

They could have ruled a real country and belong to the most powerful European dynasties. But in these turbulent ages, one could never predict the outcome of the next day. Treason marked the end of the counts of Celje. The map of Europe was redrawn for good by a blow of a sword.

Slovenian hops are praised for the unique flavor they add to many traditional and modern beers. The Slovenian hops institute preserves, researches and promotes hop agriculture. It played a special role in preserving Belgian’s beer inheritance.

Read about the history of one of Slovenia’s most successful export products: Tomos motorcycles and mopeds. The iconic brand unfortunately disappeared but lives on in the memories of so many people in Slovenia and all over the world.

Slovenia’s “human fish” is one of the strangest animals in the world. It lives in underground caves and the animals were long time seen as baby dragons because of their appearance. Is it a coincidence that the land of the dragons is also home to these creatures?

“What is it… something in the water out there?” President Eisenhower asked, surprised, when he met several medal-winning athletes from Pueblo, Colorado in 1953. Since gaining independence, Slovenia has earned 59 Olympic medals and consistently ranks among the top 10 nations in Olympic medals per capita. Four of these medals were earned at the most… Read more: Something in the water.

I’ll admit it: I absolutely hated logarithmic tables back in school during the seventies. Calculators were already much faster and easier to use, but our teachers insisted we avoid them. They warned us that calculators would make us brainless and lazy. According to them, math had to be learned the hard way. Only then could… Read more: Simple math.

They are a beloved treat in Slovenia and enjoyed any time of year, but during Carnival (Kurentovanje) krofi become absolutely essential. Deep-fried until they reach a golden brown color, krofi are distinguished by a delicate line in the middle—a mark of their unique baking process. Traditionally, they are filled with sweet apricot marmalade and generously… Read more: The missing ingredient… and you cannot buy it.

One of the most scenic trips in Slovenia is over its highest road: the Vršič Pass named after a nearby mountain, literally meaning ‘little peak’ Carved by violent forces of nature… This mountain road connects Kranjska Gora with Trenta and reaches an elevation of 1,611 meters. Travelling this route, you are treated to breathtaking views… Read more: Over the top…

In August 2023, the unleashed floods of the Poljanska Sora river surged with terrifying force, sweeping away the wooden footbridge between Škofja Loka and Puštal, some 25 km northwest of Ljubljana. The raging waters thundered beneath the bridge and for a moment, it truly seemed as if the Devil had returned to reclaim “his” Devil’s… Read more: Škofja Loka, the city of eternal passion.

What were they thinking in Maribor when they expelled Nicolas Tesla in 1879. In the early 1880s, while living in Maribor as an engineer, Tesla spent much of his time drinking, playing cards, and gambling. His behavior often brought him into conflict with local authorities, leading to incidents like his arrest—an event that would seem… Read more: You only live twice… or more.

Hell on earth … There is no better way to describe what is now Slovenia, some 50 million years ago. At that time, during the Alpine orogeny,  tectonic shifts slowly pushed the Adriatic microplate against the Eurasian continent. The immense pressure folded sediment deposits from the Tethys Ocean – an ancient ocean that once separated… Read more: Caught between heaven and hell. Dante’s wandering soul in Tolmin.

In fact, I just wanted to visit the Celje Castle, the country’s largest medieval castle home of the influential Counts of Celje of which Barbara of Celje was the famous queen of amongst others Hungary. But as usual we took the time to explore the environment and the city center. And so I spotted, a bit unexpected,… Read more: Alfred Nobel in Celje. A story with an explosive background.

“Die Sprache ist das Haus des Seins.” With this statement, Heidegger stressed that language is more than just a means of communication. It defines the core of people’s identity and social coherence. As generations change, so does their language. New words appear, while others become obsolete. For example, the language of today’s digital nomads is… Read more: Watch out for the chicken !

In 1968, Arthur C. Clarke wrote “2001: A Space Odyssey,” a book that achieved even greater fame with Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation, particularly for its striking depiction of a “space wheel” orbiting Earth. While audiences marveled at Kubrick’s cinematic vision, few realized that many of these futuristic concepts had been anticipated decades earlier by a… Read more: The problem of space travel. A Slovenian Odyssey.

Echoes of ancient spirits, a Greek bishop, Coca-Cola and Tito …  have woven together to create a unique December, packed with traditions, leaving Slovenian children with a festive season unlike any other. To understand this, we have to go way back in time. For our early ancestors, December was the month they celebrated the solstice—a… Read more: Why Slovenian children have a busy schedule in December

In 1811, Franciscan monks took over the abandoned monastery complex of Kostanjevica, situated on the hills near Görz, now known as Nova Gorica. Originally founded by the Carmelites, the monastery had been closed about thirty years earlier during the so-called “Klostersturm”—a wave of reforms under Emperor Joseph II of the Habsburg Empire. During this period,… Read more: All but one… Charles X and the miracle child.

The distance between Brussels and Ljubljana is roughly 1200 km. And yet these cities were once part of the same country. No, we are not referring to the Roman empire, which vast territory once contained large parts of Europe and Africa. But after its collapse, a kind of medieval “European Union” emerged. The so called… Read more: Dragi rojaki…

Ask any Slovene what Triglav stands for and they will all proudly tell you about their “three headed mountain”, the highest of Slovenia. To prove the point… Slovenia’s artwork representation of Triglav, by Milenko Matanovic, in 1968, started more or less as a joke, but it is now even called the most significant post-modern artwork… Read more: Moving mountains. The one that did not bow.

Slovenia shares a long history with the Roman Empire. No surprise, given its location close to Aquileia, the second most important Roman city some 1600 years ago. For ages, it was a portal for migrating peoples and hostile tribes on their way to Rome. And the plain right in front of the Julian Alps, which… Read more: Game over !

Sometimes Croatians make fun of Slovenia because its coast is small and does not have any island while they have over 1000. But what many people don’t know is, that few hundred years ago Slovenia had at least two islands, named … Koper and Isola. A fight between ancient gods. In fact, the island of… Read more: Slovenia has no islands, and that’s their own fault !

A lot of people will already have heard about Freestaden Christiania, an “independent enclave” in the Copenhagen capital. But do you know that Ljubljana has a similar area ? It started the same as its famous counterpart; an old army base which was abandoned when Yugoslavian troops were withdrawn from Slovenia in 1991. The site… Read more: Slovenia’s Freestaden – Metelkova has a surprising link with Belgium.

Although more than 100 years ago, the memory of WWI is still very vivid in Europe. Not only because it was a bloody conflict between alliances all over the world, but especially because of the horrific use of chemical warfare and millions of soldiers dying in harsh conditions. Also in the west of Slovenia, bordering… Read more: A farewell to arms.

WWI was without doubt a cruel and devastating war all over Europe. But at two places, the fights were particularly cruel. Nowhere have so many lives been wasted for so little territorial gains. In Kobarid, Austrian and Italian armies fought a bitter uphill battle and in Western Europe, in Ypres, Belgian and German armies engaged… Read more: Whose side you’re on. A story with no happy ending.

History teaches us that fame is volatile. The memory of the great statesman and brave battlefield-heroes who shaped modern Europe, only last a few generations. One moment you’re on, next minute you’re gone. But not so if your name is Josef Radetzky (1766–1858). His long career as Austrian high-ranked officer may have been impressive, but… Read more: Clap your hands for Josef Radetzky.

OK, you are right; an earworm is not really an animal. According to the Oxford dictionary, it is: “a catchy song or tune that runs continually through a person’s mind.” And for sure “Na Golici” is the real stuff. It doesn’t ring a bell ? I understand. What about “Trumpet Echoes” ? Still not ??? Then you… Read more: The earworm is a Slovenian animal !

It must be the Danube…, that was the conclusion of a group of tourists standing at the riverbanks in the city centre of Ljubljana. Being asked for it, a patient Slovene explained that the river’s name was Ljubljanica. But they concluded that he did not understand the question. By the way, his English was much… Read more: Water under the bridge…

The old city of Ljubljana has only few tall buildings. It gives the city its cozy and charming feeling. By consequence, one of the most remarkable buildings can be clearly recognized, both by its height and architectural style: meet Nebotičnik. Its name literally means skyscraper. However, while it was built in the same period as… Read more: Reach for the sky…

November,1921. Franc was driving back to Mirna pri Gorici. It was not an ordinary trip. The rickety car rattled over the cobbles and with every turn of the wheel his hart broke into pieces a bit more. A few hours before he said goodbye to his daughter Marija whom he left on the Molo Audace… Read more: The Nile, how it saved so many Slovenian lives.

To be clear, the answer is most probably no. However, while the entire world was still neglecting and making fun of cryptocurrencies, Slovenia was one of the first countries to recognize and embrace their potential. They not only created a vibrant start-up scene. From the beginning there was strong political support and a clear, supportive… Read more: Was Satoshi Sakamoto born in Slovenia ?