Štore: Hiking Trails, Crafts and Churches

Discover Štore through a range of interests: hiking trails introduce you to the area’s natural features, while churches, pottery and industrial history offer other points of interest. When planning your trip and choosing a hotel in Štore, consider whether you’d like to spend most of your time outdoors, exploring local crafts or learning about history.

Hiking trails and a cycling route

The Po Štorah hiking trail network includes eight routes of varying lengths and difficulty levels. It is suitable for walkers, hikers, nature lovers, groups, families and individual visitors. You can start by choosing a route based on its length and difficulty. The hiking trail connects nature and recreation and passes by the area’s natural features. Check trail conditions before setting out.

The trail is equipped with numbered signposts and 53 information boards, as well as benches and five rest areas. As these facilities may change due to maintenance, it is a good idea to check their condition before your hike. The Kolesarska povezava Celje–Štore–Šentjur offers a different perspective on the area: it is 11.6 kilometres long and runs alongside the Voglajna for almost its entire length. The state cycling route also includes four new bridges over the Hudinja and Voglajna rivers and the Žikovski potok stream. Hiking and cycling are two distinct ways to spend time outdoors.

Churches, Svetina and history

Svetina is a compact village in the hills, at an elevation of 683 metres. Written records of the village date back to the Middle Ages; the first entry in the Celje land register is from 1480. The Church of Marije Snežne in Svetina is a late-15th-century Gothic fortified church. Inside are a late Gothic image of Mary and Jesus, a Marian throne from 1700, an image of the Nativity of Mary and a Baroque organ. The church’s architectural history and furnishings each offer a distinct historical connection.

Other churches have their own points of interest. The Church of sv. Lovrenca stands on the edge of the village of Kompole and is surrounded by a cemetery. It was built in the second half of the 14th century by the noble Saiffner family and was first mentioned in writing in 1525. The Church of sv. Janeza Krstnika stands on a hill in Šentjanž nad Štorami, near the local road to Svetina. Its surviving tower comes from the former Prežin manor house and now serves as the church’s bell tower. The grave of writer and world traveller Alma Karlin is also in Svetina’s cemetery.

Svetina’s šentoščeva nedelja includes traditions such as gathering greenery, weaving wreaths, raising a maypole, baking potica and other pastries, and holding a procession with the Marian throne. As dates and access may vary, check the event dates if you would like to attend. The Almini dnevi in Svetina are organised as a gathering of world travellers.

Pottery and traditional farmsteads

Lončarstvo Buser has a 220-year tradition of making pottery. During a visit, you can see the workshop and kiln, learn about the production process and watch pottery being made on the wheel. The visit also includes a shop and a permanent collection of ethnological heritage. Check the visiting arrangements before your trip.

The fully renovated Kmetija »Pri starem mlinu« preserves its traditional style. Alongside the house and barns, the farm includes an old kozolec dating from 1891 and a mill with a water wheel. Visitors can use a forest trail, a Kneipp trail and an energy trail, and watch grain being milled using a water wheel or a horse-powered gepl. As these are private visitor experiences, confirm the arrangements in advance. The Kozolec Pečovje–Laška vas offers space for picnics and social gatherings in a natural setting; its use may depend on local agreements.

Industrial history and other activities

The Železarski muzej Štore is located in Teharje. Its permanent exhibition covers the development of Štore and the surrounding settlements from the second half of the 19th century to the present day. Documents, photographs, plans and objects preserve the industrial heritage of the ironworks. For a visit that includes industrial history as well as nature and churches, this adds another perspective to Svetina’s historical attractions.

The Športna dvorana Štore Green Steel has three playing courts and an eleven-metre climbing wall. Facilities are available for badminton, handball, football, volleyball, basketball and sport climbing. Conditions for using the facility may change, so check them before visiting. Every year, the Turistično društvo Štore organises a wild garlic gathering in Štore. If you’d like to plan your trip around it, check the specific event dates.

Discover more destinations: Dobrna, Celje, Nova Cerkev, Vojnik.

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