recommended route
Mošnje Archaeological Trail
-
Remains of Roman Vila rustica near Mošnje (Mošnje Archaeological Trail)Photo: Tomaž Sedej, CC BY-ND, Turizem Radovljica
This short (and truly easy) walk takes the visitor from the hearth of a historic village Mošnje to the archaeological site at the far end of the village. Passing by the old school building (with sad memories of the second world war), you soon reach a very old and interesting church of St. Andrew. Literally just across the street, the Mošnje Ethnological Museum welcomes you to learn about the way of life and work in Mošnje in the past.
Passing by a working fish farm, the Mošnje Archaeological Trail brings you to the remarkable findings of Villa Rustica. Roman countryside villa dates back to the period between the first and fourth centuries, and it lay buried under deposits of soil until 2006. The remnants of the five stone-built farm and residential buildings, which once formed a single unit, as well as a number of artefacts, give a better picture of the life of the residents two millenniums ago.
Author’s recommendation
The ancient St. Andrew's Church is a cultural and historical gem, which one should not miss when whilst walking through the village of Mošnje.
Safety information
The walk predominantly follows quiet village streets, however the descent to fish farm in Graben is quite steep and slippery in wet (handrail).Tips and hints
- When in Mošnje, take time to visit the Mošnje Ethnological Museum. Set up by a group of village enthusiasts, this well-arranged museum presents the everyday life of the residents of the village in the past.
- There is another - perhaps much more famous famous - villa in Mošnje than the ancient roman Vila rustica. Vila Podvin led by the famous young slovenian chef Uroš Štefelin is recognized as one of the top five restaurants in the country.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
After parking the car in-front of "Kulturni dom", walk across the street to the Primary school building. Towards the end of a school garden, you will be greeted by a signpost of the Mošnje archaeological trail - directing you to turn left. Follow the quiet village lane, which leads towards the village church of St. Andrew. Take time to visit this truly remarkable church (or the charming village museum across the street), than continue down the road towards a tall linden tree in the junction of two roads. Turn left (signpost: Villa Rustica - archaeological trail) , than immidiatelly right (on the edge of a natural terrace). Continue the walk using a narrow paved path (handrails on both sides), descending steeply into the canyon of river Dobruša. Reaching the bridge (and a shrine with a portrait of Mary Help of Christians), continue straight ahead to the front yard of a private house. Look for the paved road ascending in-between the house and a firewood shack, and follow it to reach a small fish farm (home of the famous "Okan" trout).
After passing the fish farm, you will meet a very steep road ascending back to the village. Turn right and walk up the hill to the first house (carpentry shop, statue of a mountain eagle at the roof top). A gravel surfaced cart track branches of to your left-hand side (signpost: Villa Rustica - archaeological trail), passing by the "Sorčan" house. The cart track soon becomes a grassy (hardly visible) passage between a working farm (on your right-hand side) and the canyon of Dobruša river (view of the motorway bridge). Follow the right-one of the two tracks, which brings you to the meadow on top of a natural terrace. Walk across the main village road diagonally, than follow a (very quiet) paved road leading straight-ahead towards a small chapel and the motorway. Reaching the shrine, you will notice the Villa Rustica archaeological site on your right-hand side.
You have reached the end of the Mošnje archaeological trail. You can follow your steps back to the trailhead, or shorten the walk by using the main village street.
Note
Public transport
Public bus connections to the centre Mošnje village are scarce, however - the nearby Podvin bus station (700 meters or 5-10 minutes walk) is very frequent. Timetables : Arriva/Alpetour bus company.
In main summer tourist season (July to August), a special Hop-On Hop-Off bus takes you to the centre of village Mošnje.
Getting there
Arriving from Bled:
Use the motorway A2 and take the exit 4 (OMV petrol station). Turn left, when reaching the first junction (signpost: Mošnje, Grad Podvin). The road ascends to a small ridge, then descend right back down again. At the bottom of the slope, turn right by the traffic lights (signpost: Grad Podvin, Mošnje). Drive into the village (passing the famous restaurant Vila Podvin). Soon you will recognize the fire station (Gasilski dom) and Cultural centre (Kulturni dom) on your left-hand side.
Arriving from Radovljica:
Follow the main Kranjska cesta to the traffic lights near the SPAR/ Hofer shopping centre. Turn right in the junction (signpost: Ljubljana, Jesenice, Kranj, Mošnje) and continue driving straight ahead (passing the petrol station). Ignore the exits to the town and the motorway and always drive straight ahead. The road ascends to a small ridge, then descend right back down again. At the bottom of the slope, turn right by the traffic lights (signpost: Grad Podvin, Mošnje). Drive into the village (passing the famous restaurant Vila Podvin), until you see the fire station (Gasilski dom) and Cultural centre (Kulturni dom) on your left-hand side.
Arriving from Ljubljana:
Use the motorway A2 and take the exit 5 (Brezje). Reaching the local road, turn left (signpost: Brezje, Grad Podvin, Mošnje). Drive towards the roundabout, and take the second exit (straight-ahead, signpost: Radovljica). The road takes you past the village Črnivec and descends down to the traffic lights in Podvin. Turn left, and drive into the village (passing the famous restaurant Vila Podvin). Soon you will recognize the fire station (Gasilski dom) and Cultural centre (Kulturni dom) on your left-hand side.
Questions and answers
Would you like to the ask the author a question?
Rating
Help others by being the first to add a review.
Photos from others