Russe: Nature, Culture and Winter Sports in Pohorje

In the Ruško Pohorje, you can ride a Pležuh, go cross-country skiing and ski touring. The Drava Cycling Route also runs through Ruše. In the area of the Ruško Pohorje and Ruše, a network of cycle paths extends over a total length of 212 kilometres.

Winter and Trails

Winter activities thus range from riding a Pležuh and cross-country skiing to ski touring. The Drava Cycling Route passes through Ruše, while the cycle-path network in the Ruško Pohorje and the Ruše area covers a total of 212 kilometres. Different types of activities and trail lengths offer various ways to tailor your plans.

Nature

The protected Šumik primeval forest preserves original forest communities. Beech, fir and spruce trees, among others, grow on its steep slopes. The Veliki Šumik and Mali Šumik waterfalls are located in the Lobnica Gorge; Veliki Šumik is 24 metres high. The same primeval forest is also home to Trije hlebi, a 14-metre-high rock formation consisting of a tower of three rocks stacked on top of one another.

From its source to its confluence with the Drava, the Lobnica stream descends more than 1,000 metres. Historically, a 17-kilometre-long water chute for transporting timber ran through the Lobnica Valley. Verna Waterfall is a slide waterfall in the Šumik primeval forest; over the final 100 metres, the Verna stream plunges through a smooth, very steep tonalite gorge into the Lobnica.

On the right bank of the Drava, Falska peč rises almost vertically several dozen metres above the river. It is a unique geological formation in the Drava Valley and the habitat of the protected species complex Brstična lilija (Lilium bulbiferum) and the alpine saxifrage Saxifraga hostii.

The Municipality of Ruše is a co-founder of Pohorje Regional Park. The DiscGolf Park Ruše-Areh is also available for recreation and leisure; it is suitable as an addition to a walk in nature and is also suitable for families with small children.

Culture

In Fala, a part of the municipality of Ruše, the Fala Hydroelectric Power Plant Museum is located in the original machine hall of the oldest hydroelectric power plant on the Drava. A horizontal Francis turbine has been preserved there. At the foot of Pohorje stands the amphitheatrical Letno gledališče Pod goroj, which was finally completed in 1931, has between 800 and 1,000 seats and is particularly known for its acoustics.

The Church of Cerkev Marijinega imena in Ruše was built in 1387. Its exterior shows traces of Gothic and Baroque styles, while the interior is Baroque in design. The Church of Cerkev bičanega Zveličarja contains a figure of Christ created by a skilled carver in the 18th century. Mary’s Church on Smolnik, also known as Marijina cerkev na Smolniku, was built between 1859 and 1861.

The Ruše water tower belongs to the complex of the former Ruše nitrogen factory and was built in 1917 for its needs. It has two tanks with capacities of 220 and 130 cubic metres, respectively. The 43-metre-high water tower is listed in the Slovenian Register of Immovable Cultural Heritage.

Glazerjevi Dnevi commemorates the Slovenian poet, librarian, literary historian and editor Janko Glazer, who was born in Ruše, while also promoting musical and literary creativity. The Vernik Inn has a tradition spanning more than 100 years; its listed house specialities include stuffed house rabbit, venison steak in game sauce with cranberries, black radish with pumpkin seed oil and homemade liver pâté. Seasonal dishes made from local ingredients are also served.

History

Fala Castle, known in Slovenian as Falski grad, was first mentioned in 1245, after the Benedictine monks of St. Paul moved the seat of their Drava estate there from Lovrenc na Pohorju. In 1620, the complex became an important cultural centre: the University of Vienna conducted philosophical, theological and economic studies there, making Fala Castle the first higher-education institution in Slovenia.

The six-level Latin school of Ruše was founded in 1645 and existed for 113 years, until 1758. During its full operation, Ruše was a cultural and educational centre whose influence extended far beyond the town.

In addition to ordinary glass, the Vivat glassworks produced finely cut glass, milk glass and ruby glass, as well as glass ornaments and bottles. Its production also included glassware with pictures or chemically engraved decorations. Luxury glass was shipped to Italy, Greece, the Middle East, Egypt and America. Three buildings remain from the former Vivat glassworks, also called Glasswork by Ruše and Lower Benedikt dol; a cellar has probably also survived at the former factory site.

Next to the Ruše–Fala railway line stands a fundamental benchmark with a Latin inscription. Of all the surveying marks from the former Austria-Hungary, this is the only one preserved in Slovenia. To this day, it is used to determine elevation precisely and to measure ground movements over periods of more than 100 years.

To the main travel overview: Slovenia.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Trebnje, Municipality of Kranj, Municipality of Radovljica, Municipality of Idrija, Municipality of Zagorje ob Savi, Municipality of Laško, Tolmin.