Kranj: Old Town, Kokra Gorge and Culture

Kranj between rocks and rivers

The historic old town of Kranj lies on a 30-metre-high rock between the Sava and Kokra rivers. The old town of Kranj also stands above the 30-metre-deep Kokra Gorge. When exploring the old town, you therefore encounter both the elevated rocky setting and the lower-lying river landscape of the Kokra Gorge.

Protected historical heritage

The historic old town of Kranj is protected as a cultural monument. Of the eight towers that once formed Kranj’s city walls, three remain today; all three serve as venues for cultural experiences. The former extent of the city walls thus remains visible in the three surviving towers, which are also used for cultural purposes.

Khislstein Castle and city history

Khislstein Castle has an open-air stage for concerts and theatre performances. An open-air stage is a stage under the open sky and, at Khislstein Castle, refers to a venue for these two forms of culture. The Museum of Gorenjska is also located in Khislstein Castle. The Museum of Gorenjska tells the story of Kranj’s 6,000-year history.

Janez Puhar and photography

In 1842, Janez Puhar made history as a pioneer of world photography when he invented photography on glass. The Cabinet of the Inventor Puhar is a memorial house in Kranj’s cultural district. At the Cabinet of the Inventor Puhar, visitors can learn more about Janez Puhar, the first Slovenian photographer, as well as about his life and inventions.

Underground history and nature

The tunnels beneath Kranj’s old town extend for 1,300 metres. They were built during the Second World War and initially used as shelters for the population of Kranj. The tunnels beneath Kranj’s old town contain two permanent exhibitions featuring minerals and fossils, as well as a reconstruction of a Second World War bunker. In the bunker reconstruction, visitors can experience an air-raid simulation.

The tunnels beneath Kranj’s old town also contain real stalactites and rare cave species such as cave crickets and cave orb-weaver spiders. Alongside the historical references, beneath the old town you can therefore also encounter geological formations and unusual creatures of the cave environment.

The Kokra Gorge

On a guided tour through the Kokra Gorge, visitors can hear stories about the river and its gorge from a local guide and observe the diversity of biotopes in and around the water. The diverse and dynamic Kokra Gorge provides a habitat for many animal species, as well as for trees, shrubs and herbs. A biotope refers to a habitat with characteristic natural conditions; in the Kokra Gorge, these include areas in and around the water.

Events and flavours from Kranj

Numerous events take place in Kranj throughout the year. The chefs in Kranj preserve culinary traditions, use local ingredients and work with farmers from the surrounding area to introduce guests to flavours and ingredients typical of the city. Regional agriculture and traditional cuisine thus come together directly in the chefs’ work.

More destinations for your planning: Cerklje Na Gorenjskem, Šenčur, Zgornje Jezersko, Preddvor and Naklo.

To the main travel overview: City Municipality of Kranj.