Discover Šmihel pri Žužemberku on the Krka

Šmihel pri Žužemberku brings together architectural heritage, archaeological traces and water activities. If you are looking for a hotel, you can make your choice based on whether you are mainly interested in history and landscape or would like to plan a rafting or kayaking route. The two routes differ in starting point, length and duration; the cultural heritage also covers a range of subjects, from the parish church to a Roman villa rustica.

Location on the Krka and cultural landscape

Šmihel pri Žužemberku lies on a terrace on the right bank of the Krka, north of Žužemberk. The “Kulturne terase” cultural landscape is also part of the cultural landscape heritage. Local heritage therefore includes not only individual buildings and archaeological traces; a named cultural landscape is another point of interest. If you are weighing historical buildings against landscape heritage when choosing a destination, this distinction gives the character of the place greater definition.

Church and archaeological traces

The Church of St. Michael is the parish church of Šmihel pri Žužemberku, dates from 1908 and is part of the architectural heritage. Its construction date provides a clear point of comparison with the site's Roman past. A villa rustica is a Roman rural estate; one probably stood in Šmihel in the 1st century AD. Farm buildings were discovered at the villa rustica, while the residential area was probably located somewhat farther north. The discovery of the farm buildings should therefore be distinguished from the only presumed location of the residential area. The villa rustica and its surroundings are under reserve protection. Medenov mlin is also part of Šmihel's architectural heritage.

Another archaeological point of interest is the burial mound on a rocky hill in a spruce forest. It is surrounded by a large circular ditch. The mound may date from the Roman period or prehistoric times. The local evidence therefore does not all date to the same period: the church dates from 1908, the villa rustica probably dates to the 1st century AD, and either of two periods is possible for the burial mound.

Rafting and kayaking compared

The rafting route from Zagradec to Šmihel is 6 km long and takes one hour; it includes eleven waterfalls that are 1 to 4 metres high. The kayaking route from Lese to Šmihel is 9 km long and takes two and a half hours. Both routes end in Šmihel, but start from different locations; the kayaking route is longer and takes more time. The difference between one hour and two and a half hours is an hour and a half, giving you a concrete point of reference for planning your time. For your plans, the starting point and time available are therefore just as relevant as the distance. If you would like to include one of the routes in your stay, check the provider's current information in advance, as route details may change.

Discover more destinations: Šmarjeta, Hrib pri Hinjah, Dvor, Dolenjske Toplice, Dolenje Kronovo, Škocjan, Vinica Pri Šmarjeti, Žužemberk

For the overview of the wider area: Novo Mesto.