Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Vidičevi Hiši;
www.vidichouse.com
; Linhartov trg 3; coffee €1; 9am-9pm; )
The
nicest and most charming of several cafes located along historic Linhartov trg. Specialises
in coffee, cakes and ice cream. The interior is jammed with found items; our favourite is a
retro turntable from the 1960s.
Grajski Pub
(Kranjska cesta 2; noon-2am; )
The pub adjacent to the Grajska Gostilnica is the
only place outside the Beekeeping Museum where you're likely to find a buzz in
Radovljica. The terrace stays busy into the wee hours, and some nights bring live music
and DJs.
PUB
THE FORMER FORGING VILLAGE OF KROPA
In the early years of the Industrial Revolution, the towns and villages around Radovljica grew wealthy through for-
ging and metal working. While much of that activity was stilled decades ago, the custom still lives on in the pretty
hillside village of Kropa, 13km southeast Radovljica and an easy 20-minute bus ride away.
Kropa has been a 'workhorse' for centuries, mining iron ore and hammering out the nails and decorative wrought
iron that can still be seen in many parts of Slovenia. Today, the village has turned its attention to screws - the
German-owned Novi Plamen factory is based here - but artisans continue their work, clanging away in the work-
shop on the village's single street, unsurprisingly called 'Kropa'. The work of their forebears is evident in weather
vanes, shutters and ornamental street lamps shaped like birds and dragons.
Kropa's charm lies in the town's remote feel and the lovely, centuries-old former workers' housing that lines a
fast-flowing mountain stream, the Kroparica, that runs right through the centre of town.
The main sight is the
Blacksmith Museum
(Kovaški Muzej;
www.muzeji-radovljica.si
;
Kropa 10; adult/child €3/
2; 10am-6pm Tue-Sun May-Oct, reduced hrs & days rest of year)
, which traces the history of iron mining and
forging in Kropa and nearby Kamna Gorica from the 14th to the early 20th centuries. Nail and spike manufacturing
was the town's main industry for most of that period; from giant ones that held the pylons below Venice together to
little studs for snow boots, Kropa produced more than 100 varieties in huge quantities. The museum also has work-
ing models of forges, a couple of rooms showing how workers and their families lived in very cramped quarters (up
to 45 people in one house) and a special exhibit devoted to the work of Jože Bertoncelj (1901-76), who turned out
exquisite wrought-iron gratings, candlesticks, chandeliers and even masks. The museum shows two films, one on
nail production and one on local customs.
Just across the street from the museum, be sure to pop in at the
UKO Kropa forgers' workshop
(
www.uko.si
;
Kropa 7a;
7am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon Sat Jul & Aug, 7am-3pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon Sat Sep-Jun)
, which
