CULTURAL HERITAGE OF ŠMARJE - SAP TRAIL
Length
10.6
Length 10.6 km ​
Time needed
05:00
Time needed 05:00 ​
Največja strmina vzpona[%]
7
Greatest slope of the ascent: 7 %
Greatest slope of the descent: 8 %
Average slope of the ascent: 4 %
Length of ascents above 5%: 1.20 km
The lowest point of the route: 380 m
The highest point of the route: 330 m
Difference in altitude: 170 m
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Poraba kalorij
4899
Consumption of energy for men: 4899 kJ (1170 kcal)
Consumption of energy for women: 4019 kJ (960 kcal)
​
Difficulty
Difficulty: Medium demanding ​
Quality of the surface
Quality of the surface: Mixture
Primerna obutev: Hiking boots
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Short description

Footpath which takes you through the history of Šmarje and Sap is marked with information boards in the surrounding settlements of Šmarje-Sap and through Šmarje-Sap. It unveils the earliest period of the settlement of that area and the importance of the old Dolenjska Road.

Course

Šmarje-Sap – Sela – Cikava – Brvace – Zg. Brvace – Paradišče – Podgorica – Šmarje-Sap – Veliki Vrh – Mali Vrh – Šmarje-Sap

Šmarje and Sap
You'll see the mighty Church of St. Mary at the beginning of your route in Šmarje. Proceed on the main road to Grosuplje . Majolka Inn (possibly your first stop) is on the right. A branching for Lipoglav is in Sap, but you continue on and after approximately 100 m turn right to Kračmanova Street. Nicely renovated granary and a hayrack are on your left where there is also an information board for the footpath . Walk to the chapel with a direction board for the footpath. Turn left and walk past the two old houses until you get to the macadam road .

A view of Šmarje-Sap and Grosuplje
From the field, you can look back at Šmarje-Sap and you can see Grosuplje ahead . The path is nice, undemanding, and shaded by the forest in the afternoon. Asphalt road starts again in Sele. Take a look at the Church of St. Hermagoras there and continue left to Cikava . Cross the railway line, continue through the village and at the crossroads turn right to the main road. There is a crossroads on the top and a tree nursery opposite. Turn right to Grosuplje again. Descend to Grosuplje to Brvace (Black&Decker) commercial zone , cross the road and ascend to the settlement of Zg. Brvace . It consists of one homestead and the route runs through its courtyard. A chapel is at the entrance of the homestead. At the end of the courtyard, the asphalt road ends and at the end of the macadam one, which runs along the forest edge, you'll reach the road that leads from Grosuplje to Hrastje.

Below the motorway to the other side...
Orientation board is at the crossroads and will inform you about the Šmarje Valley . Walk on the asphalt again, turn left and proceed parallel with the motorway towards Šmarje-Sap. At the crossroads, before the Rofix Factory, turn right to the road leading under the motorway and to Paradišče . Continue through the village and turn right at the crossroads, up the hill. At the following crossroads leave the main road which would otherwise lead to Magdalenska gora with an archaeological path, and turn left instead, to Podgorica. A beautiful view of Šmarje-Sap and Grosuplje opens up there . An information board awaits you once again in the village . Descend to Šmarje-Sap and be careful not to turn to the bridge over the motorway at the crossroads, but go straightforward, parallel with the motorway towards Veliki Vrh.

...and again over the motorway
In Veliki Vrh turn left to the bridge and go over the motorway and finally, turn right at the crossroads in direction of Tlake or Mali Vrh. Turn sharply right up the hill at the chapel in Mali Vrh , and proceed through the village along the very narrow road . A crossroads for Gajniče is in the village from where the Church of the Holy Cross can be seen, however, continue to the left and turn right to the main road at the next crossroads, and towards the Church of St. Mary in Šmarje-Sap where you'll end your route.

 

Magdalenska gora ,
Magdalenska gora, one of the most important archaeological sites from the Iron Age in Slovenia, is located at a 504-metre high hill. The wider area of Magdalenska gora once included a prehistoric settlement with artificial terraces and earthworks.
The neat archaeological trail running past the visible remnants of the Iron Age fort describes the life of the then inhabitants. A walk lasts for about 40 minutes.

Rich archaeological heritage, excavated from numerous graves joint into huge burial mounds, bears witness that Magdalenska gora was populated for more than one thousand years. The most precious and best preserved findings originate from the Iron Age. The most important findings include bronze situlas, weapons and other military equipment, various ornamental buckles and jewellery. An ornamental plate in the shape of a four-pointed cross with horses' heads is depicted in the coat of arms of the Municipality of Grosuplje.

Church of Virgin Mary's Birth
The church in Šmarje - Sap was first mentioned in 1228. According to some historians, the parish of Šmarje was supposedly established as early as 1058. It was built in the style of three nave Romanic basilica. At the end of the 15th century, it got new arches and a presbytery. It comprises Gothic paintings and frescos by Štefan Šubic. The church and its wall were used as an anti-Turkish camp, of which only one tower, called Turenček, has been preserved.

Šmarje - Sap
Šmarje - Sap, the second largest settlement in the municipality, was inhabited in the ancient Roman period, when a Roman road ran past it. Later, Šmarje was the ecclesiastical, cultural and economic centre of the western part of Dolenjska for over 700 years. The Church of Virgin Mary's Birth was first mentioned in 1228 and it is the oldest church in the Grosuplje Basin.

 

Brajda Pizza Restaurant
There's a pizza restaurant with a wide selection of pizzas from a wood-fired oven and tasty salads by the Šmarje - Sap – Grosuplje main road.

 

Hills of Grosuplje were inhabited as early as the Halstatt period
The excavations from the hills called Koščakov and Cerkveni hrib show that the area of Grosuplje was inhabited as early as in the Halstatt period, approximately 500 years BC. An important road which connected Aquileia and Sirmium in the lower section of the Sava River in Vojvodina, ran across the northern part of the municipality. The eastern stretch of the motorway, called Ilirika, now runs almost along the same route.

Middle Ages
Bonfires often burnt on higher hills next to medieval churches and fortresses. These fortresses were used for storing cereals and other crops. Women, children, elderly people, some food and livestock were hidden in the ice hall in the today's Županova jama Cave and other karst caves which are in abundance in this area. Despite the efforts and fortification, the castles were not organised properly to defend the country from Turkish invasions.
In the heart of Carniola, in the hills of Škocjan, the region ruled by the mighty Auersperg family, Primož Trubar was baptised at the Church of St. Cantianus in Škocjan. In this very church, priest Jurij Dalmatin used to serve from 1585 to 1589. The first books in Slovenia, which were printed during the period of Protestantism, signify the beginning of awakening of national consciousness.
At the recommendation of the monks from Stična, a wall was built in 1493 at the Church of St. Nicholas above Cerovo for the protection from the Turks and also several rooms for storing cereals in the fortress. Similar peasant camps were also located in Kopanje pri Veliki Račni, at the church in Šmarje, in Železnica pri Škocjanu, and perhaps on Magdalenska gora and other places.

Cycling Marathon of Three Municipalities ,
The marathon simultaneously takes place on three entirely asphalt tracks of 92, 80 and 56 kilometres in length, and is intended for better recreational cyclists (the 92-kilometre track runs on a very diverse terrain with an ascent to the 600-metre high Korinj), and a track for mountain bike racers which runs along forest paths and is only suitable for mountain bikes.
A family marathon intended mainly for families and less fit cyclists is also organised. Those who rather walk than cycle can participate in a guided hike to Magdalenska gora.

Chestnut Sundays on Magdalenska gora
The Chestnut Sunday event takes place on Magdalenska gora each Sunday in October. The main event is roasting chestnuts; the event is accompanied by activities for children and various tastings.

Prešeren Hiking Trail
The trail runs from Grosuplje through Spodnja Slivnica and Predole to Velika Račna and Kopanj. The asphalt path exchanges with macadam and forest path. Each year on Slovenian Cultural Holiday, 8 February, a hike along the Prešern Hiking Trail is organised. On Kopanj, a cultural programme and mass take place.

Events within the 'Cultural Heritage of Šmarje - Sap Trail' project
Tourist events include contents regarding the cultural heritage of this settlement and its surroundings.

Cultural Heritage of Šmarje - Sap Trail
The 12-kilometre trail partly runs on an asphalt road and partly on a field path or meadow. Information boards, informing about the cultural heritage of the settlement are set up along the trail.

Grosuplje, the Town of Sculptures
The city of Grosuplje is full of statues. Three statues, made by sculptor Lučka Koščak in 2003, were the reason for the project Grosuplje - Town of Sculptures. The project is comprised of two parts: sculptural symposium and creative workshops for children, youth and adults. The invited sculptors are introduced appropriate locations in Grosuplje and its vicinity. Each sculptor chooses their own spot and prepares sketches or clay models. The project is realised only after the public presentation of sculptural ideas to the expert public and citizens of Grosuplje and after confirmation of the sculptors' projects. Each year, the sculptors gather on 20 August below Boštanj Castle where they carve and reshape karst limestone. The statues are finished within a month and are immediately placed at the selected areas and solemnly presented to the city of Grosuplje. Sculptural workshops for children, youth and adults are also taking place there. The workshops grow popular each year as the pupils from Grosuplje, grammar school pupils from Ivančna Gorica and students from Ljubljana as well as adults visit them.