Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Šempeter
03 / POP 2025 / ELEV 257M
Some 12km west of Celje, Šempeter is the site of a reconstructed
Roman necropolis
(Rimska Nekropola; 700 20 56;
www.td-sempeter.si
;
Ob Rimski Nekropoli 2; adult/
child €4/3; 10am-6pm daily mid-Apr-Sep, 10am-3pm daily early Apr, 10am-4pm Sat
& Sun Oct)
. The burial ground contains four complete tombs and scores of columns,
stelae and fragments carved with portraits, mythological creatures and scenes from daily
life. They have been divided into about two dozen groups linked by footpaths.
The most beautiful is the
Ennius family tomb
, with reliefs of animals and, on the front
panel, the priestess Europa riding a bull. The largest is the 8m-high
Spectacius tomb
,
raised in honour of a Roman official, his wife and son. (Notice the kidnapping scene on
the side relief.) If you compare these with the later
Secundinus family tomb
erected in
about 250 AD, it's obvious that Roman power and wealth was on the decline here in the
mid-3rd century.
Upper Savinja Valley
The beautiful Upper Savinja Valley (Zgornja Savinjska Dolina) is bound by forests, an-
cient churches, traditional farmhouses and high Alpine peaks. There are activities here to
suit every taste and inclination - from hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing to fish-
ing, kayaking and swimming in the Savinja.
The valley has been exploited for its timber since the Middle Ages. Rafters transported
the timber from Ljubno to Mozirje and Celje and some of the logs travelled as far as Ro-
mania. The trade brought wealth to the valley, evident from the many fine buildings still
standing here.
The best place to get active is around Logarska Dolina. The free English-language bro-
chure entitled
The Savinjska and Šaleška Valleys
is helpful if you intend to spend a bit of
time in the area. Serious hikers should pick up a copy of the 1:50,000
Kamniško Savinjske
Alpe
map (€8.10) by PZS. Cyclists will want the
Kolesarska Karta Zgornja Savinjska Do-
lina (Upper Savinja Valley Cycling Map)
available everywhere for €3.
LOGARSKA DOLINA
03 / POP 95 / ELEV TO 1250M
