Hello everyone. In the previous post, I wrote about visiting the Šmichel Church in Slovenia. Then we met a lady who told us that nearby there is another cultural and historical landmark even older than this church and that we can reach it on foot through beautiful natural landscapes. It was the Church of St. Catherine.
We headed there.
Along the way, we came across a stone cross, also one of the historical and religious landmarks of this place.
Reaching it is already part of the experience, a peaceful walk through greenery, with views opening over the Savinja valley.
We breathed fresh air and enjoyed stunning views.
My children were carelessly running around and it seemed to me as if we had come to the end of the world where you can only connect with nature and nothing else.
On the way, we came across a dog that was tied up and walking with its owner, but it was a bit dangerous and it was not pleasant as it barked at us. That was the only moment that disturbed me a little, everything else was perfect peace.
After a 20-minute walk, we arrived and entered the church courtyard. It seemed as if we were entering someone's country yard, it was a homely, pleasant atmosphere.
Standing in front of the church, I admired the simplicity of its exterior. This is a site with roots going back to the 15th century.
Over time, it was reshaped through the 17th and 18th centuries, leaving behind layers of history that quietly coexist within its walls.
Unfortunately, this church was also closed and we could not look inside and see everything that has been kept there for centuries. We walked around and looked at it from all sides.
We read there that there are original very old altars inside, that it is a treasure house of history. What interested me the most was that his church was once part of a living community, a place people walked to, gathered in, and returned to over generations. Even today, despite its remote location and the small size of nearby village Kuretno, it still carries that quiet presence.
Visiting St. Catherine's Church was an extraordinary experience, stepping into a different rhythm, and realizing how places like this hold stories not loudly told but deeply felt.
Thank you for reading.
Jelena