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DOBRNA ENG A TOURIST GUIDE Welcome! The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas. The project is co-financed by the EU. The managing authority for the Rural Development Programme of the Republic of Slovenia for the 2007–2013 period is the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment. The project “A Tourist Guide to Dobrna” is co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the LEADER axis, organised by the Local Action Group “From Pohorje to Bohor”. The contents are the responsibility of the Dobrna Municipality. 6 4 A LOOK AT THE HISTORY INTRODUCTION Even the Celts and the In close contact with nature, Romans were aware of the 8 Dobrna will change your healing thermal water TERME DOBRNA outlook on the world. at Dobrna. The oldest thermal spa in Slovenia, 22 established in 1403. A WALK 14 AROUND DOBRNA A WALK AND THE LOCAL AREA AROUND DOBRNA AND THE LOCAL AREA NATURAL 26 CUltURAL HERITAGE LEISURE TIME HERITAGE Dobrna was one of ACTIVITIES the first spa towns to have The monuments that a park of its own. Hiking trails in Dobrna reveal the rich history and the local area. of the town. 42 40 TRADITIONAL 44 TOURIST CULINARY EVENTS EXPERIENCES INFORMATION A wide variety of events A variety of goods throughout the year. Where to sleep, and products. eat and drink, shop, relax, ... 4 WELCOME TO DOBRNA! In close contact with nature, Dobrna will change your outlook on the world. INTRODUCTION Dobrna – the place of my dreams, in the words of Baron Kajetan Dienersberg – was named after the 5 English oak (dob in Slovenian). The town is distinguished by its beautiful covered in a blanket of snow, the silence is location in the heart of green forests, its so relaxing you can just feel it. Slowly, you healing thermal water and the people who begin to find yourself in a fairytale that live here. It is difficult to describe the emo- you can’t buy even at the largest shopping tions that wash over you as you step into centre or online. the shade of the magnificent, centuries- old park and the chestnut trees, planted Dobrna has plenty to offer to stop you two hundred years ago to create an avenue from being lazy, although sometimes lazi- between the spa building and the town. ness is a necessary part of life that contrib- utes to its quality. But we have known for Dobrna offers a variety of options for a a long time that it is never good to overdo healthier and more energetic lifestyle. things, be it at work, at the table or where You may not find Slovenia’s longest water- laziness is concerned. This idyllic part of slide here, but you will have the opportu- the world will give you inner peace and the nity to follow in the footsteps of Karl May, perfect balance of physical activity and the world-famous writer and creator of rest. Dobrna is the best place to discover two immortal literary heroes, the Native harmony of body and spirit. It offers the American Winnetou and the “paleface” perfect location and surroundings for a Old Shatterhand. More than a century ago, pleasant stay; you will rediscover the joy the author visited Dobrna to relax in the of swimming pools, find fresh hope in the spa; other famous guests of Terme Do- treatments and therapies, relax on walks brna include Louis Bonaparte, brother of in the fresh air, enjoy the mild climate the French Emperor Napoleon, and many where it’s never foggy, delight in the de- other fascinating people. licious food and drink and take pleasure in the view of a beautiful garden or the In close contact with nature, Dobrna will colourful flowers in the windows. What is change your outlook on the world. Hiking, it that drives this magical place? Here is cycling or just walking around the nearby the answer: a beautiful, well-maintained towns, you will enjoy new experiences, dis- town, friendly people, healing thermal cover new horizons and see familiar places water, freedom of movement in body and from a fresh angle. In the summer, when spirit, chatting with neighbours, trustwor- the rest of the country is gasping from thy medical staff, a hot cup of coffee, a fun the heat, Dobrna stays pleasantly cool. In day spent at the nearby farm, a tour of the the winter, when the houses and trees are local museum, lively dancing in the café … 6 A LOOK ORY T IS H AT THE HISTORY E T TH A K Even the Celts and the Romans OO L were aware of the healing A thermal water at Dobrna. A LOOK AT THE HISTORY 7 The town has a long history: even the Celts and ORY T the Romans were aware of the healing thermal IS H water at Dobrna. E T TH A Gravestones and other remains of a ne- such as the curacy in 1755 and the new K OO cropolis offer plenty of evidence of these rectory in 1791. L ancient cultures in the area. The Slove- The first mention of the Dobrna spa A nian name Dobrna can be traced back dates back to 1403. The spa has had a to 1155, when it was first mentioned in decisive influence on the fate and de- a document as a town in the Diocese of velopment of the town. It is only right, Gurk. The German name Neuhaus was then, to learn more about the spa and its initially only used for the castle. First history before we look at Dobrna and its mentioned in 1257, the castle must have many natural and cultural sights. been built around that time, since the ruins feature some Gothic elements, The first owners of the spa, mentioned but there are no Romanesque proper- in 1403, were Andrej and Sigmund of ties. Managed by the knights of Dobrna, Dobrna. In 1608, the local lords request- the estate was pledged to the cathedral ed 600 florins of financial aid from the chapter of Gurk in 1346 and came into provincial assembly for a new building the hands of the Ptuj lords in 1438. The that would attract high class visitors to knights of Dobrna continued to manage the spa. In 1613, Dobrna was purchased the castle until 1613, when the estate by Hans Gačnik, who later sold it to his was taken over by the Gačnik family. The brother Matija. This was the beginning story of a tragic event from this era is still of a new era for the spa. In 1624, Matija passed on in folk tradition: in 1478, the Gačnik built the first spa building and castle lord Viljem of Dobrna flew into a commemorated the event with a marble rage, grabbed his child and flung him at plaque on the wall above the spa pool. the wall with such force that the child The plaque has been preserved until the died on the spot. When Viljem realised present day. The inscription reads: “This what he had done, he joined the Celje spa was built in honour of the province Minorite monastery as a penitent monk. by the undersigned nobleman, otherwise A settlement grew at the foot of the it would have remained abandoned. This castle; as the spa developed, wooden took place in 1624, when Dobrna was houses were replaced by stone buildings owned by Matija Gačnik.” 8 OBRNA TERME DOBRNA D E E M ER T The oldest thermal spa in Slovenia, established in 1403. FOTO: Fotostudio Tim, Vrhnika TERME DOBRNA The spa is important. If it wasn’t for the spa, Dobrna would not be on the map of modern and attractive tourist destinations today. 9 The history of Dobrna includes a lot of rants, a cafe and other facilities. This in OBRNA information about the spa. During World turn led to further growth, attracting even D E E War I, it housed a military hospital. In more visitors. M ER 1919, it came under the management of T the Maribor authorities until 1929, when With over 600 years of tradition, Terme it passed into the hands of the newly es- Dobrna is the oldest surviving thermal tablished Drava Banovina. In the period spa in Slovenia. In 1810 and 1811, Louis between the wars, the spa buildings and Bonaparte, the brother of Emperor Na- facilities were renovated and expanded. poleon I, recuperated here. He commis- sioned the stone floor in the gentlemen’s During World War II, the spa was again pool to be straightened. “Believe me, used as a hospital for the wounded. Dur- dear friend, I have seen a great deal of the ing the occupation, the spa was under mil- world, but this is the place of my dreams,” itary management; after the war, it stayed enthused Baron Franc Ks. Kajetan Die- in the hands of the Yugoslav National nersberg in 1814 in a letter to his friend in Army for a time, until it passed back into Graz. At the turn of the century, the most civilian ownership. important guests to visit Dobrna included The area of Brdce and Strmec above Do- Archduke Rainer (1905) and German writer brna played an important part in the Na- Karl May (1907). tional Liberation War; in February 1944, the 14th Partisan Division fought their way The spa’s famous tradition dates back to through heavy snow here. Their struggle the 15th century. Dobrna has always been is commemorated in the form of several renowned particularly as a spa for women’s plaques and a monument to the fallen in diseases and the treatment of infertility.