Laško: Brewing Tradition, Old Town and Trails along the Savinja

Laško lies on the Savinja; the Thermana Laško spa is located right next to the river. The town combines a brewing tradition dating back to 1825 with a historic townscape, cultural offerings and trails in the surrounding countryside.

Brewing Tradition, Cuisine and Festival

Laško’s brewing tradition dates back to 1825. The Laško Brewery tour takes you through active production facilities and ends with tastings of selected beers and non-alcoholic drinks. The HoneyBrew Laško tour offers a different culinary focus: this hands-on experience combines thermal springs, Laško beer, Chef Marko Pavčnik’s cuisine and honey specialities.

The Pivo in Cvetje Laško Festival has been a fixture for several generations since 1964. A showcase of Slovenia’s musical creativity is part of the programme each year; dates and programme vary. If you have a particular edition in mind, check the relevant event dates and programme details.

Old Town and Architectural History

Valvasorjev trg, Orožnov trg and Aškerčev trg shape the appearance of the old town. On Orožnov trg, a depiction of Medusa is regarded as an indication that the Laško area was already inhabited in Roman times. The bell tower, central nave and ribbed vault of the Archpriest’s Church of St Martin are original features dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. The church is considered one of Slovenia’s most important Romanesque buildings and has ten Baroque altars.

The Laško Museum is open to individual visitors. Its permanent exhibition, “Laško – A Journey through Time,” covers the town’s history from prehistory to the present day. Another exhibition is devoted to the brewing industry and the spa and bathing traditions of Laško and Rimske Toplice. The Weichselberger Manor also brings together different periods: the Renaissance building dates from the 16th century, now houses the Laško Library and has arcades dating from the 19th century.

Other notable buildings and landmarks help you find your way around the old town centre: Laško Brewery had a copy of the original wooden Black Bridge built in 1997 at the request of local residents. Next to the bridge over the Savinja, which leads to the old town centre, stands a statue of Gambrinus, known as the “King of Beer.” For several decades, the Laško Cultural Centre has been a hub of cultural life; its programme includes performances, seasonal programmes, concerts and exhibitions. During Jurjevanje, spring is welcomed with a traditional procession of Green George (Zeleni Jurij) and his companions; participants wear green and flowers.

Walks and Nature around Laško

The A8 Spa Trail is considered an easy circular route that starts and ends at Thermana Laško. It is 3.4 kilometres long and takes approximately 40 minutes. The trail runs along both banks of the Savinja and includes a two-kilometre test trail and an outdoor fitness area. Check the signage and access before setting out; route information may change if the trail is revised. The Park of Wellbeing has outdoor fitness equipment on both riverbanks, with instructions and exercise recommendations at each station.

Other trails offer different highlights. The A7 Hum Trail passes the Prižnica, Prepadna udorina and Blaževa skala viewpoints, as well as a rest area with an information board about the local flora. The B2 Trail follows the boundary of the old market town of Laško and the former boundary path that locals used to secure their territory. A path along the walls of the old town up to Tabor Castle and its summer garden offers views of the old town centre, the Savinja and the surrounding hills.

The surrounding landscape is another possible focus for your stay. In the Laško and Rimske Toplice area, the thermal springs have a temperature of 34 to 38 °C and contain 370 to 430 mg of dissolved minerals. Nearby Gračnica Valley lies within the municipality of Laško and is part of the European Union’s Natura 2000 network. It is home to rare and endangered plant species, habitats for endangered animals along marshy riverbanks, and rare birds in wet meadows.

Discover more destinations: Rimske Toplice, Radeče, Trobni Dol, Svibno

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