Ljubno ob Savinji: Rafting, Cultural Heritage and the Savinja

Ljubno ob Savinji connects the history of rafting on the Savinja with ecclesiastical heritage, trails and sport. When planning your trip, you can choose from different areas of interest: the rafting tradition, historic churches, a themed trail or paths along the river. Events and ski jumping also add to the range of topics you can explore before your stay.

Rafting and Cultural Heritage

The Flosarska Pripoved programme at the KLS Cultural and Congress Centre presents the 500-year tradition of rafting on the Savinja. Visitors can experience a ride on a traditional raft there; advance booking is required. Another way to explore this heritage is the interactive rafting collection, which can be visited independently during the main summer season, from 15 June to 15 September, and during school holidays, during TIC opening hours from 08:00 to 16:00. Check seasonal visiting conditions before your trip.

St Elizabeth’s Church in Ljubno is a Gothic building that lost its principal Gothic features in the fire of 1798. The external Gothic buttresses and several frescoes on the outside walls have survived. The church also has a historic organ: Anton Scholz of Celje made it in 1793, and it was extensively restored in 1992. The blessing of Ljubno’s Palm Sunday bundles takes place in the square in front of the church every year. Their collection is recognised as intangible cultural heritage of national importance.

Fašun House, known as “Pri Fašunu”, also brings together architectural history and regional features. It is a designated cultural monument and, based on its condition and appearance, is dated to the first half of the 19th century. A rare floor covering made of river stones, known as “kuglflašter”, has been preserved in the entrance hall. The Church of the Assumption in Rosulje is known for a Gothic chalice dating from 1512. The present church was built after the earlier church was demolished in 1830; its bell tower is octagonal.

Trails along the Savinja

The 5.3-kilometre Ljubno riverside trail follows the Savinja and passes the Vrbje event area. There you will find the Preužitkarska House, an open-air mini-museum and the rafters’ hut. The Ob Ljubnici themed trail starts beside the municipal building and takes about 30 minutes. Information boards explain the area’s natural and cultural heritage. Along the way, views open up over the town centre and its hinterland, the ski jump, the Smrekovec-Komen ridge, the Tirske peči cliffs below Golte and the Menina planina plateau. The views depend on conditions.

For planning purposes, the two trails offer different ways to gauge your visit: the themed trail has an estimated duration of 30 minutes, while the riverside trail is described by its length of 5.3 kilometres. One uses information boards to introduce visitors to natural and cultural heritage; the other follows the Savinja and passes the Vrbje event area.

Fishing is another activity associated with the river. The Zgornjesavinjski fishing district of Ljubno, managed by Ribiška družina Ljubno, is divided into four areas: Savinja 1, Savinja 2, Savinja 3, including the trophy section, and the fly-fishing pond by the fishing lodge. Fishing permits are available at Ribiški dom Ljubno and at several sales outlets in the area around Ljubno ob Savinji. Since sales arrangements may change, check the available options in advance.

Events and Sport

The Jožefov sejem is traditionally held every year in Ljubno ob Savinji; dates and venue details may change. The Flosarski bal is an ethnographic event in Ljubno and is among the oldest ethnographic events in Slovenia. Each year, visitors can also see lime burning at Atelšek live during the traditional Flosarski bal: it takes place a week before the first Sunday in August. Atelšek is located between Ljubno and Luče on the Savinja; there you can see traditional lime burning as practised by earlier generations. Programme details may change.

The range of sporting activities also covers different interests. Ljubno hosts FIS Ski Jumping World Cup competitions for women. The ski-jumping facility has a plastic mat, allowing ski jumping during the warmer months as well. In November 2025, the Foršt Sports and Recreation Park was presented as newly renovated; the features mentioned included paved playing areas for football, basketball and volleyball. Check the condition of the facilities before visiting.

For the wider travel overview: Mozirje.