We start the first steps of our walk among the villages of this interesting part of southern Štajerska region in the village of Bistrica ob Sotli. Today, the village name includes names of two rivers – Bistrica and Sotla – but was known in the past under the names of Leskovec and Sveti Peter (Saint Peter) pod Svetimi gorami. It can offer anything you most desire. Some of you may be interested in recreation and exploring natural and cultural heritage, whereas others might want culinary delights and well-deserved relaxation. As you will see, you can simply combine both, as you will come to a village where locals still remember the proverbial rural hospitality, offering their local delicacies and gladly showing the local sights that were left behind by the passage of time.
Even though archaeological remains in this area prove that people lived here as early as the early Iron Age, and that the village developed during the Middle Ages because of the pilgrimage site of Svete gore (Holy Mountains), most architectural and ethnographic sights are preserved from the 19th century. At the beginning of the turbulent 19th century, Dr Firbas built a one-storey house with baroque characteristics.
When you visit the “Doctor’s House”, pay attention to the stone portal and the decorations with the spiral motif. Two more examples of buildings that describe the life in this region are Bratuš House with the ground-storey, traditional construction, entrance extension, and a richly decorated portal, and the former Gabron Inn with a characteristic floor plan from the end of the 19th century, which now houses the seat of the Municipality of Bistrica ob Sotli.
Let the path take you to the Church of Saint Peter, first mentioned in 1275, or to local sights created by men in later periods. For example, to the stone of honour – Antipranger, to the House of Culture, the old school, or the Elementary School Bistrica ob Sotli, and the adjacent statue of Marija Broz, mother of Josip Broz Tito, who liked to vacation here at his aunt’s, and don’t forget to visit the old well and various sculptural masterpieces nearby.
Today, Bistrica ob Sotli is also the seat of the municipality of the same name, which combines eleven villages. And each of those has its own peculiarities, reflecting the good and the bad times that the locals lived through with predominantly agricultural activities. You will discover the land on which they lived at your next stop.
