Cerkno

Cerkno is a wonderful city of western Slovenia, in the heart of the Julian Alps.
At first glance it looks like a small town, however its history is very important, rich of significant events over the centuries, some linguistic expressions heard today and many ruins admired throughout the city embody and reflect much of its history; only 5000 inhabitants live in this wonderful tourist place (between 1920 and 1947 an italian municipality on the border with Yugoslavia) crossed by rivers and surrounded by superb mountains, over the years it has become a well-known attraction for its enchanting natural landscape. Going for walks through its green paths, exploring the territory or enjoying our favourite winter activities will be really irresistible!   
Located on the border between the Regions of Upper Carniola (Gorenjska) and Slovenian Littoral (Primorska) the Ski Center Cerkno offers a truly unique family vacation experience, a real paradise for all ski lovers, easy to reach and to get there from anywhere (only 10 Kms. far away from the center of the city). Technically it is one of the most modern ski resorts of all slovenian centers, at an altitude varying from 900 to 1300 meters Cerkno can boast the fastest cableways of the country and the only two covered chairlifts of Slovenia: the 6-seater "Lom" and the 4-seater "Brdo". Visitors will enjoy the magic of 70 hectares and slopes with different levels of difficulty on 18 Kms. of wonderfully groomed routes surrounded by the imposing Black Peak (Črni Vrh nad Cerknim, 1291 m.). Its ski slopes are always well maintened and covered in snow (artificial snow when necessary), the ski season starts in December and lasts usually through April, both the most demanding competitors and the beginners at their first experience (a specialist beginner's course is the ideal way to learn, and great fun too) will find here a dream location; Cerkno also offers incomparable snowboard, sleigh and cross-country ski experiences, any kind of ski and snowboard equipment is also available for rent; moreover a qualified and reliable service for children is guaranteed, a range of activities for our babies on and off the slopes including animations and snow play areas; and at sunset, let's keep the fun going off the slopes with an exciting après-ski program in a warm friendly atmosphere, hotels, breweries, restaurants scattered everywhere will be always at our full disposal! Cerkno is also famous for its international ski competitions attracting thousands of visitors every year.
Cerkno offers great emotions through the rest of the year and other chances to relax and enjoy the freetime, walking along the banks of the rivers, riding a bike, going trekking is a lovely way to discover a place, moreover the territory offers the best climbing and paragliding conditions. It could be a pleasure to explore the surroundings, we can enjoy a tour with a local expert guide or by ourselves, the Museum is included in the "must-see" list, here we can find an universe telling the history of the city through wonderful objects, it will be very suggestive to stop off to visit Dolenji Novaki and its infamous Franja Partisan Hospital (Partizanska Bolnica Franja), today a well-preserved museum; it was a secret Hospital (never discovered) at Dolenji Novaki during the Second World War run by the Slovene Partisans from 1943 until the end of the war as important part of the resistance movement against the Fascist and Nazi forces, more than 15.000 wounded soldiers found refuge here. Make sure to visit the Archaeological Park Divje Babe (Arheološki Park Divje Babe), one of the most important archaeological sites in the world dating back to the Paleolithic era, you'll return into the past through very precious objects, an example? The Neanderthal Flute, a juvenile cave bear femur, the oldest known musical instrument in Europe, was found here. Moreover, no visit to Cerkno will be complete without also seeing the Ravenska caves (Ravenska Jama), really a great emotion!     
Cerkno offers wonderful opportunities of entertainment! If we come here in the right period, for example, it will be a great pleasure to participate in the Cerkno Carnival (Cerkljanski Laufarji), a real exciting event that will make our visit unforgettable.
The Cerkno Laufarji (from the german verb "laufen", to run) are wooden masks, as very dynamic figures (they constantly run and jump) strongly close to the human faces, they belong to centuries of rich tradition attracting thousands of curious visitors every year.

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