Kotel Learning Park

Kotel, also known as Kotu, is the upper part of Kropa. The slopes of the Jelovica plateau rise up above the area, with steep Zidana skala (Črni vrh, 1,307 metres above sea-level) being the highest point. Beneath it is the Kroparica mountain stream, which after cca. 3 kilometres, at the end of the valley, flows into the Lipnica stream. The area was developed in 2024 with the help of finance from the European Union Recovery and Resilience Fund (NOO). As part of the project, managed by the Radovljica Public Institute for Tourism and Culture, the walls of the former distillery were renovated and protected, and the area was equipped with informative content relating to elements of typical Kropa houses. From spring to late autumn, additional content will be installed in the area, in the form of interactive points for children.

The area, now landscaped as a park, connects three interesting buildings: the Bodlajev vigenjc nail-making workshop, the walls of the former distillery, and the floor plan and remains of the Matiček House, which was demolished at the end of 2023 due to its extremely poor state. In the immediate vicinity, the Čačman shrine is notable, while the Kroparica stream and its diversion into water channels provide a true view of Kropa. Since the area has a wonderful ambience, it is worth seeing when visiting Kropa. The whole has been designed as an experience park, which through information boards and interactive elements (available between April and November) allows visitors to learn, explore and get to know the local heritage, while also offering a pleasant place to stop and rest.

In fact, there used to be slitting mills in Kotel. These were forges where semi-finished products – iron bars – were made with the help of a water hammer. These iron bars were then used to forge nails in nail-making workshops. Even higher up along the Kroparica riverbed, in the area of Dno nad Kropo, there are the remains of an iron smelter from the 14th century (Slovenska peč). It is the oldest monument of its kind in Slovenia.

The following participated in the revitalisation project:

The Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport; the Radovljica Public Institute for Tourism and Culture; Radovljica Municipal Museums – Iron Forging Museum Kropa; the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia – Kranj Unit. The project was co-financed by the European Union – Recovery and Resilience Plan.