Ravne Na Koroškem – Sculptures, Exhibitions and Trails

You can get to know Ravne na Koroškem through its cultural and recreational offerings: the steel sculptures of Forma viva, exhibitions at Ravne Castle, and several hiking and cycling options offer different starting points for planning your trip. Ravne Sports Park is also part of the city’s character. Which of these interests you depends on whether you mainly want to explore art and history or spend time outdoors.

Sculptures and Exhibitions

The steel sculptures of Forma viva are a landmark of Ravne na Koroškem. They were created at nine international sculpture symposia held between 1964 and 2014. A total of 36 sculptures were installed in urban areas of Ravne na Koroškem, Prevalje, Mežica, and Črna na Koroškem. This means you encounter sculpture not only as a collection: these artworks are also present in the urban areas of all four towns.

A permanent exhibition at Ravne Castle explores the creation of the Ravne collection of outdoor sculptures. It has been part of the museum exhibition since November 30, 2016; the collection was conceived in 1964 as part of the national cultural event, the Forma viva International Sculpture Symposium. Check the exhibition’s current visiting hours before your visit.

The chapel at Ravne Castle is also devoted to Roman stone monuments. A permanent exhibition has been open there since April 2005. The stones come from the archaeological site at Zagrad near Prevalje and, in part, from the municipality of Ravne na Koroškem. The Roman cemetery presented in the castle’s lapidarium dates to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Together, the exhibition and lapidarium offer a closer look at the ancient finds and the history of where they came from.

Nearby are the historic fortifications of Turške šance, hidden in a forest above Kotlje. At their center is a small island overgrown with vegetation. This detail adds a wooded location to the story of local history, distinct in both setting and appearance from the exhibition spaces in the castle.

Hiking Trails and Cycling Routes

Mladinska pot Ravne na Koroškem is an educational recreational trail for people seeking nature and relaxation. There are 14 recreational learning stations along the route. They also provide information about the period when fitness trails first appeared. The route thus combines outdoor activity with a topic from the history of these trails.

The starting point and character of the Pot na Šteharski vrh hiking route are clearly defined: it begins at the bus stop in Ravne na Koroškem, is very well marked throughout, and runs along forest paths and meadows. Malgajeva pot has a different route description. It starts at the cultural center in Ravne na Koroškem, follows a forest road toward Javornik, and ends at Trg in Ravne na Koroškem. The two trails therefore differ in their stated starting points and routes.

The modes of travel for Ravenska čebelarska pot are clearly specified: this easy route can be walked or cycled. If you prefer a cycling tour with set options, PICIKL KOŠTA offers an easier 20-kilometer route and a more challenging 25-kilometer one. The culinary cycling route starts in the castle park in Ravne na Koroškem. This circular tour explores Ravne and its surroundings and introduces traditional Koroška dishes made with fresh, high-quality local ingredients. The individual providers may change, so check the current selection when planning your trip.

Sports and Seasonal Planning

Ravne Sports Park has an outdoor municipal swimming pool with an Olympic-size pool, an indoor winter pool, a modern athletics stadium, sports fields and halls, and a tennis center. It is set in the natural surroundings of the city and the Meža Valley, between Peca and Uršlja gora. If you want to plan your day around a particular sports facility, check its current operating status in advance. Bike Park Poseka also has two cycling trails that are free to use; check locally for current access information.

A recurring event for hiking enthusiasts is the “Čez goro k očetu” walk, organized every year in the second half of December by the Planinsko društvo Ravne na Koroškem hiking club. In even-numbered years, the walk takes place at night; in odd-numbered years, it takes place during the day. For the nighttime event, hikers meet in Ravne na Koroškem in the evening. Exact dates and arrangements vary, so it is worth checking them before planning your trip.

TIC Ravne provides cycling and hiking maps. If you plan to use printed maps for a trip, ask in advance whether they are currently available.

Discover more destinations: Črna Na Koroškem, Mežica.

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