HomeDestinationsInterestsTop Places to Travel by MonthSearchMenuBest time to go to Slovenia People wearing peculiar costumes parade down the streets during the spectacular Pust carnival nestled in the scenic Karst region of Slovenia transforms into a vibrant hub of celebrations during the Pust Carnival This annual event marks the transition into the Lenten season with lively parades Known as one of the country’s most extravagant carnival towns Cerknica’s Pust Carnival offers visitors a unique glimpse into Slovenian folklore and community spirit One of the main attractions is the procession of giant mythical figures characters deeply rooted in Slovenian legends Attendees can also enjoy the children’s masquerade and live music at carnival parties throughout the festival the event’s most iconic traditions include the "Žaganje babe" (sawing of the old hag) on Fat Tuesday and the symbolic "Pokop Pusta" (Burial of Pust) on Ash Wednesday These theatrical performances reflect themes of renewal and the passage of time providing a cultural and historical lens to the festivities The 2025 Pust Carnival in Cerknica promises a week-long celebration filled with vibrant events and activities Highlights include the traditional "Polslavnica" on February 28 and the "Otroška Maškarada" for children on March 12 The festivities continue with a grand party featuring Zvita feltna "Pustoletje," will parade through the streets of Cerknica on March 2 showcasing colorful costumes and giant papier-mâché figures Entry to the Pust Carnival is generally free such as the "Otroška Maškarada" and live entertainment events featuring bands like Zvita feltna or artists like Tanja Žagar Parking facilities are available near the main event locations but visitors are encouraged to arrive early due to limited space Cerknica is a small town with walkable distances between venues ensuring a convenient experience for attendee Cerknica is approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Slovenia’s capital making it easily accessible by car or public transport The town’s picturesque setting in the Karst region provides an excellent opportunity to explore nearby attractions one of Europe’s largest intermittent lakes known for its stunning karst formations and hiking trails The Pust Carnival in Cerknica has a history The official birth of the festival is marked by the establishment of the Cerknica Mardi Gras Society (Pustno društvo Cerknica) in 1975 Originally a time for communities to prepare for the austerity of Lent the carnival evolved into a grand celebration of creativity and cultural expression the event has incorporated modern elements while preserving its folklore-inspired character drawing both locals and visitors from around the world Cerknica Cerknica Lake Rakov Škocjan Nature ReserveCerknicaCerknica LakeRakov Škocjan Nature ReserveLast updated: December 29, 2024Authors: People interested this initiative restored the River Stržen in Slovenia which had been regulated at the beginning of the 20th Century for agricultural purposes The project targeted the Natura 2000 sites ‘Cerkniško jezero’ and ‘Notranjski trikotnik’ A 2.1 km-long section of the Stržen waterway was redirected back into its natural meandering riverbed resulting in a significant improvement in the ecological balance of Cerknica Lake an intermittent lake in a karst area with diverse associated ecosystems These river restoration works also improved water retention and hydrological conditions increasing soil moisture over an area of 60 hectares improving the area’s resilience to climate change and providing an important habitat for fish the intervention promoted the recovery of an EU priority habitat - seasonally-flooded lakes in karstic limestone areas - and enlarged the nesting and feeding habitat for the bittern (Botaurus stellaris) by 215 hectares with benefits for 14 additional species recognised as bird species of EU importance under the Birds Directive The visitor management at the sites was reviewed in order to decrease any negative visitor impacts during the bird breeding season and wildlife observation infrastructure and visitor information on the sites was improved raising public awareness among about the area and its biodiversity An effective cooperation was established with landowners laying a foundation for future collaborative efforts to preserve this valuable ecosystem The engagement with local communities and the development of sustainable products also contributed to the project’s success ensuring widespread support and ongoing benefits for both biodiversity and the local economy two local hunting associations diversified their economic activity by establishing bear observation points within the LIFE STRŽEN project area marking a shift towards more conservation-compatible economic activities The impressive efforts of this project underline the commitment for achieving ecological restoration and climate resilience thereby contributing to a more sustainable future https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCXS7l-UYUE  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QuUJ-j650c  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB60-qAOs6Y  EU Environment newsletters deliver the latest updates about the European Commission’s environmental priorities straight to your inbox This place is special: it’s a lake only for about two months of the year This picture was taken on the Planina plain, about 30km south-west of Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana; it’s normally a field. The floods happen almost every year. In south-western Slovenia which comes and goes: it’s a lake for part of the year It’s connected to reservoirs deep underground and when there is a lot of water – rain in spring or melting snow – the water floods fields but have a side job running a windsurfing school and taking people on paddleboarding tours There were around 10 or 12 people in the group The weather was a bit foggy – there’s always mist on the water in the spring and the roads were about one and a half metres below the surface Last year, we didn’t run a trip at all because it was so rainy. We didn’t want to take tours around what was a catastrophe, with flooded villages we offered our paddleboards to the firefighters in case they needed them to help residents Read moreUntil the photographer, Aleš Komovec I didn’t realise that this picture had been featured anywhere else Now I’m aware it has been all over the internet: I Googled it Komovec didn’t know who we were when he took the photograph He checked out the companies who do paddleboarding trips checked the colour of the boards against our website Are you in a famous photograph? Email thatsme@theguardian.com the coprnice and all the other inhabitants of the Butal area are already preparing to drive it away it will be time again for the biggest holiday in Cerknica Carnival in Cerknica 2017 once again promises a week-long frenzy which will be enlivened by traditional carnival characters and musical guests Carnival in Cerknica 2017 is starting on Maundy Thursday the people of Butal plan to organize a revolutionary takeover of power who will once again hand over power to them He will take this into his calloused hands the mayor of Butalski and watched over her carefully for a whole week You can't take power from the Butalci without it sawing grandma but a wooden log (Butalians say: "Better wooden than none!") On Carnival Friday We are waiting for you on the stage of the Cultural Center Cerknica TV Čohovo and in the evening a large traditional carnival party will entertain the guests Tanja Žagar It's his turn on Saturday children's masquerade with buskers animators and musical guests - this year they will have fun in company Melite Osojnik Another carnival party is being prepared for the adults in the evening at which they will perform Dejan Vunjak & Brendi's bastards V Sunday will present themselves to us again at the carnival traditional large figures headed by great-grandmother Uršula and the giant pike who is especially impatiently waiting for spring and plenty of water Uršula's descendant Liza will also be here On Ash Wednesday we will witness the oldest moving carnival street show in Slovenia with a fire-wet ending Carnival funeral is the oldest carnival event in Cerknica when 'secular' authority returns to Cerknica as mayor Butalski renounces it in great sadness which was brought from Slivnica on Fat Thursday by the copper trucks swallowed everything that was left of the week-long madness From 2004 we research urban trends and inform our community of followers about the latest in lifestyle From year 2023 we offer content in major global languages From 2004 we research urban trends and inform our community of followers daily about the latest in lifestyle style and products that inspire with passion we offer content in major global languages one of Slovenia's best known carnival cities began its festivities early The traditional 65th Kurentovanje festival started on Candlemas with the Kurent's Jump when people dressed in Kurents scary sheepskin figures with huge cow bells Ptuj already had its first procession of traditional costumes on Saturday and it will host the traditional gathering of Kurents and Korants from around the country on Wednesday Another procession will be held on Saturday as well as festivities for children and a night-time spectacle Throughout the week visitors will be able to meet the traditional carnival figures who will be spending their evenings in the city centre The main international carnival procession in Ptuj In Cerknica an exhibition on carnival is opening on Tuesday while on Thursday Butalci - slow-witted characters meant as a caricature of Slovenians - will take over control of the city The highlight of the week will be the procession on Sunday starting as always "exactly some time around 12:32" featuring local figures Uršula the Witch and Jezerko the Dragon Pust in Cerknica will be buried on 5 March after being burned on the bridge "They say that they have been burning Pust on the bridge since the dawn of time but the custom remains," the organisers said In Cerkno too the main carnival procession will take place on Sunday inviting visitors to come "so the turnip will be fatter" The best known carnival figures in Cerkno are the family of Laufarji or "runners" - 25 figures with 26 masks made of linden wood Ljubljana will host the Dragon's Festival on Saturday with the main procession led by a dragon figure and schoolchildren dressed in costumes of fairytale heroes Carnival processions and other festivities will be held in other towns as well including in Mozirje where carnival festivities date back to 1891 The procession in Ilirska Bistrica will feature Škoromati perhaps Slovenia's oldest carnival figures that were first mentioned in 1340 Did you find the information you were looking for Do you want to receive a response from the responsible institution Clicking on the link will open your default e-mail program and automatically draft a message that you can send to the institution responsible for the content of this website ask for a reply Three police officers from Hungary have now joined 21 colleagues from Poland to assist Slovenian police officers in the framework of cooperation of foreign police officers in protection of the Schengen border three Hungarian police officers joined the police officers in Cerknica where they were welcomed by the Director of Ljubljana police Directorate mag The Director of Ljubljana police Directorate took the occasion to highlight the importance of cooperation between countries in management of cross-border crime and illegal border crossings in the Schengen area Protecting the Schengen area is a big task and only mutual cooperation of all countries enables us to protect it in the best possible way It is very important and helpful that we exchange experience in the framework of cooperation as this provides good basis for closer and successful cooperation in the future He also offered Hungarian officers full support of the General police Directorate Ljubljana police Directorate and any help from their fellow officers working in the field they may require is going to work with officers of police station Cerknica in regular patrols for surveillance of the state border in the area of the border with Croatia They will perform the tasks of border surveillance and patrolling and work with the locals in detection of illegal migrations and prevention of cross-border crime We have every reason to expect that exchange of experience will improve the quality of work in both We believe our Hungarian colleagues will have no trouble adjusting to our work and that mutual support will contribute to successful protection of European borders We wish our Hungarian colleagues success with their work duties and a pleasant stay in Slovenia Press Release by the Hungarian National Police Headquarters: We are also present on the Slovenian-Croatian border Slovenian police officers to be assisted by 21 colleagues from other Member States Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Discover when Carnival 2025 is and how to make the most of it This festival of fools and donuts is one of the most popular in Slovenia If you want to plan your masquerade and visit the carnivals in time read all the key information about the Shrovetide date and celebrations across Slovenia Are you ready for Shrove Tuesday and the countdown to spring you're probably wondering: "When is Shrove Tuesday 2025?" So that you don't miss out on Shrove Tuesday and all the action now is the right time to find out all the important dates and prepare for the most fun holiday of the year Carnival week in 2025 will take place in early March: Shrove Tuesday is always 47 days before Happy EasterSince Easter in 2025 will fall on April 20 Easter is determined as the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox Ptuj – the land of Kurent: Kurentovanje in Ptuj is the largest carnival festival in Slovenia where the kurenti chase away winter with dance and bells 2. Cerknica – the witch capital: Carnival in Cerknica It is famous for its large masks devils and Jezerko – a character who represents Lake Cerknica a fun parade with local and international carnival masks takes place in the center of the capital Carnival 2025 will be all about fun and good cheer in early March make sure this year's Carnival is unforgettable - for you and your friends After the carnival celebrations were moved online for the past two years due to the coronavirus epidemic At the end of this week and the beginning of the next many carnival events and processions will once again take place in all their glory all over Slovenia The tradition of celebrating Pust – Slovenia’s Shrovetide – with masks and carnivals dates back to ancient pagan times Slovenian masks worn at this event are brightly coloured reflecting the local customs of specific villages from the past One of the most recognisable carnival characters in Slovenia are the Kurenti whose door-to-door rounds are inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity when the House of Kurent was opened in Ptuj it will be possible for visitors to see the Kurent character and learn about its traditions at any time of the year the 63rd Kurentovanje festival began in Ptuj The organisers expect tens of thousands of people and around 2,500 Shrovetide masks from Slovenia and abroad to take part in the main event of the biggest carnival in Slovenia and the wider region The festival will end with the traditional burial of Pust Other well-known Shrovetide festivals in Slovenia are held in Cerknica and Cerkno this year’s driving away of winter will be dedicated to the Dragon while the town streets will also be occupied by Jezerko the Water Man named after the laufarji – carnival characters dressed in moss Shrovetide events and processions will take place not only in the hotspots of Ptuj but also in many other towns and villages across Slovenia featuring both traditional carnival characters and masks that are created to reflect current events ask for a reply