Zakriž – Church, Stations of the Cross and Cycling Route

Zakriž offers several ways to enjoy a stay with an interest in village history, outdoor activities and scenery. The Church of St. Andrew stands in the village centre; the Stations of the Cross route runs from a chapel below Zakriž, through the village and up to the church. Other points of interest include military fortifications, traditional fruit-drying buildings and Cycling Route No. 2. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Zakriž, these specific themes can help you organise your time and excursions around your own interests.

Church of St. Andrew and Stations of the Cross

The first documented mention of a church in Zakriž dates from 1515; the present-day Church of St. Andrew was built around 1767. It stands in the village centre and is richly decorated, with gilded statues and other furnishings. The Stations of the Cross route begins at the chapel below Zakriž, passes through the village and ends at the church. Allow about two hours for the route; the duration depends on the option you choose and your walking pace. Residents of Zakriž hold the Stations of the Cross in the village on the first Sunday of Lent in the afternoon. If you are planning your trip around it, check the date for your travel dates.

Fortifications and places of remembrance

The Italian military fortifications in Zakriž were part of the 1,850-kilometre-long defensive Alpine Wall between Genoa and Rijeka. The fortifications include two caverns for housing soldiers and two so-called “opere” bunkers, which were designed to house machine guns. The Križ area is an archaeological site of an ancient settlement. A memorial plaque in Zakriž also commemorates the start of publication of Partizanski dnevnik: the first issue appeared on 26 November 1943 in house no. 5.

Fruit drying and water supply

Zakriž has four traditional fruit-drying buildings known as “pajštve”. One of them, on the Pri Zalazarju farmstead, has been fully restored. The Julijina House in Zakriž is more than 300 years old. You can also see the surviving troughs of the oldest water-supply system in the Cerkljansko area. These details complement the ecclesiastical and military history with themes of traditional fruit drying, water supply and older residential buildings.

Scenery and trails

After rain, numerous small pools form in the meadow known as Jezero in Zakriž. The Jersey Tiger (Callimorpha quadripunctaria) is a butterfly protected by Natura 2000 in the Zakriž area. The two features appeal to different nature interests: a landscape shaped by rainfall and the protection of a named butterfly species.

On Cycling Route No. 2, cyclists turn right towards the centre of Zakriž after the village sign. After about 500 metres, they turn right again towards Cerkno; this is followed by a descent of approximately two kilometres back to the starting point. The route offers views of the Baška ridge, the Idrijca Valley and the Šebrelje plateau, with the Church of St. Ivan in the foreground.

The Bevk Trail passes through Zakriž to the village centre. There it turns right towards the junction with a wooden farm building and the road linking Gorje and Ravne. The difference is useful when planning: the Stations of the Cross route is described by an approximate total duration, while the cycling route is described by its directions, sections and descent. Check the local signposting before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Črni Vrh, Bukovo, Srednja Kanomlja, Lome, Idrija, Cerkno, Vojsko.

Return to the main travel overview: Idrija.