| More than 150 prominent Slovenian figures came from
this region. One of the most important is the great beekeeping
master Anton Janša (1734–1773) from Breznica, where his
restored bee house with painted wooden Carniolan hive
fronts is on display today. Janša
is known as the founder of tradition-based beekeeping practice from his
local environment, which he further developed in both theory and practice,
so that his methods spread throughout the former Habsburg Empire
and remain applicable even today. His tradition is continued by
the diligent and resourceful beekeepers of Upper Carniola. It
was in Upper Carniola that active trade in bees developed in the second half of the 19th century, which spread the word about the |
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Carniolan grey bee to the rest of the world. Most of the credit
for this goes to Mihael Ambrožič from Mojstrana and Jan
Strgar from Bitnje near Bohinjska Bistrica. Their trade
routes led all the way to Egypt, Japan, and far-off Vladivostok. This
is a beautiful region between Mt. Triglav and Mt. Stol, with favorable
natural conditions, sunny locations, abundant pastures, and
rich tradition; this region below the Karavanke Mountains is also the place where the Carniolan bee originated.
The Carniolan Bee is the only indigenous race in all of
Slovenia and is the second most widely used race in the
world. In order to preserve genetically pure
Carniolan bees and thus Slovenia’s unique natural and
cultural heritage, planned breeding of queens
at mating stations is important. Old written records report
that in the past farmers used to carry hives on their
backs from the lower regions, where pastures had already
been mown, to mountain pastures, where the vegetation
was on a later schedule. They built special carts to transport
hives on the flatlands, traveling long distances using oxen
or horses. Such transport was organized primarily to make
use of the abundant and extensive buckwheat fields around
Ljubljana, Škofja Loka, and Ptuj. Buckwheat was sown after
the wheat harvest
at the end of June and it bloomed as early as the second
half of August. If the weather was good,
bees collected quality and abundant winter food reserves
and, due to large quantity of nectar collected, the queens
laid eggs in the available combs once again. Thus the
bees were well provided for and rejuvenated before wintering. |
BEEKEEPING POINTS OF INTEREST
* The Beekeeping Hunting Lodge in Brode near Škofja Loka: visitors
are served hive-based treats and invited to watch films on beekeeping in the lodge’s spacious hall;
* The bee house of
Slovenia’s greatest beekeeper, Anton Janša, in Breznica;
* Carniolan queen-mating stations in the Završnica Valley;
* Radovljica: visit the Beekeeping Museum, where Slovenia’s entire beekeeping
heritage is presented with a special emphasis on the 18th
and 19th centuries. The museum has approximately 600 original
hive fronts; the motifs painted in oil present the lives and beliefs of people from that time;
* Stroll through Radovljica’s
old town and visit the lebkuchen workshop;
* A short visit to Bohinj Combe and Bitnje, where
the internationally-known bee merchant
Jan Strgar used to keep his bees. This is commemorated by a plaque at the site where he was born.
* A list of beekeepers in Upper Carniola, whose bee
farms are opened to visitors, is
included with this
brochure..
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HIGHLY RECOMENDED
Škofja Loka: the best-preserved medieval
Slovenian town. The old town with its Upper and Lower
Squares boasts numerous attractions from the past: beautiful
townhouses, churches, and
the Shrine of the Virgin Mary. Škofja Loka Castle reigns above the town and provides a beautiful view of the town;
Bled: a natural treasure with the
legendary island in the middle of the lake. You can reach
the island by taking a ride in a large covered boat, especially
if you would like to make a wish by ringing the bell at
the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on the island;
Vrba: You can visit the house where
Slovenia’s greatest poet, France Prešeren, was born. It
now houses a museum with original furniture from Prešeren’s time. |
