The Temple of Lintvern the Dragon

The Temple of Lintvern the Dragon is a dynamic family adventure, suitable for those already accustomed to treading safely on more challenging forest and mountain trails. You set off on your own, and Zmajev kartonček, the Dragon Card, opens the way to various experiences, allowing you to enter the mysterious world of dragons that have roamed these lands since time immemorial. The recommended age for children is 6+.

To enter the Blue Dragon’s Order of the Water Tamers, children will need a Dragon Card. Once they have it, they embark on an important mission: collecting the stamps featuring unusual animals, the guardians of Bela. Along the way they learn the skills and secrets of the water tamers. These are people with special skills and powers who bring nature into balance. Completing the training earns them the Dragon Seal and grants them entry into the Blue Dragon’s Order. At the destination in the Cottage at the Star maln, they receive the Dragon Prize, and at the Dragon Training Ground they can hone their skills and try their hand at others. This adventure takes children into the ancient world of dragons, who represent the untameable power of nature. It was Lintvern, the source of Bela Creek, that so fascinated J.V. Valvasor that he wrote in his book, The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola, about the dragon Lintvern spewing water containing his offspring. Was it really baby dragons that people saw back in those times, or was it one of the peculiar animals that still live along the miraculous Bela Creek? See for yourself!

Good hiking shoes are a must to enter the Dragon’s Order, as the last kilometre of the trail is steep in places and at times also slippery. The recommended age for children is 6+.

THE STORY: In the steep gorge of the Bela stream above the Old Mill lies the Temple of Lintvern the Dragon. Dragons, the guardians of the Bela water – meaning White Water – have lived in this temple since time immemorial. Bela is no ordinary water. Bela is a miraculous spring; it originates in the Dragon Temple and then suddenly wells up, rushing through the rocks and pouring into the valley. Bela is a healing water that holds the Dragon's secret of eternal life. For ages, people have drawn water from the Bela creek to fortify themselves or to heal sick animals. But the water is fickle: now it’s there, now it isn’t. That is why, to this day, people still raise their gaze towards the Dragon's Temple in the hope that the water will flow again.

On occasion, the dragon spews water with such force that it demolishes everything in its path. Nature is all-powerful! It's high time we, as people, learned the skills that will connect us more closely to nature. It's time we discovered the secret of the Dragon Temple and became Water Tamers!

HOW TO EMBARK: The Lintvern Dragon Temple experience starts in Vrhnika, at the parking lot at Štirna pod Planino (Notranjska cesta in Vrhnika, GPS 45.9636675547831, 14.275335244674862). The trail is long, 4.5 km one way, and the last kilometre is a proper mountain trail that requires hiking shoes. You can combine the trail with cycling by cycling to the Cottage at the Old Mill and continuing on foot.

THE ROUTE: You can park your car in the parking lot at Štirna pod Planino (Notranjska cesta in Vrhnika, GPS 45.9636675547831, 14.275335244674862). From there, follow the dirt road to the Stari maln, which leads through a gorge that is mostly shaded in summer. The Old Mill is 3 km away on a flat road.

TAKING A BIKE: What’s great is that you can cycle to the Old Mill, turning your adventure into a special “cycling-walking experience”!

A TIP: In the summer, Stari maln is a popular and refreshing natural swimming spot, and the Cottage at the Stari maln offers visitors a variety of offerings, but please note that only cash is accepted.

PARKING: Park in the car park at Štirna pod Planino (Notranjska cesta in Vrhnika, GPS 45.9636675547831, 14.275335244674862). Parking is free.

PRICES: The price of a single Dragon Card is €7, and it can be purchased at the Cottage at the Star maln or at the TIC Vrhnika. You may also order it delivered by post at info@skrateljc.org.

General information: www.skrateljc.org and info@skrateljc.org, or by telephone: 051 398 843.