Kostel – the Place Where Nature Heals
The wonderful Kostel region is an energy-rich part from which healing powers originate. Nature offers many unspoilt beauties which, thanks to their preservation, provide favourable living conditions for many animals. Experience the attractiveness of places that are recognised as vital energy centres.
Welcome to the Embrace of Forests
Kostel settlements are sparsely populated, since the landscape is strongly wooded, and the karst soil is less present. The area, is characterised more than by human settlements primarily by karst plateaus with numerous sinkholes and peaks and the River Kolpa, which, due to its purity, is the realm of animals and vegetation. But in Kostel you cannot pass its hospitable inhabitants. Chat with them and get to know the special dialect, which has developed into a kind of speech without the standard dual grammatical form found in Slovenian, due to Croatia’s proximity.
Refreshment at the Nežica Waterfall
Upon your arrival at Kostel, you cannot pass the Nežica Waterfall, which will refresh you and caress you with its image. The power of the water under the road is intercepted by the Grbac Mill, and from here on it continues its path in the Prifarski ditch through the village of Faro and then enters the River Kolpa.
The legend says that the waterfall was named after a little girl Nežica who was watering a couple of oxen at Drežnik. The water sank and pulled them into depth. After a heavy rainfall, the water threw out a yoke at the spring of the Prifarski ditch, wrapped in the girl's hair. Since then, this spring and waterfall are called Nežica.
A Picturesque Castle Complex
The beautiful landscape near the River Kolpa is named after the castle fortress and the settlement below it. The castle complex is the second largest in Slovenia, as it combines the castle, a living settlement below it and the church of St. Three Kings. The Kostel Castle is built on a pointy hill, from where a unique view opens onto the valley of the River Kolpa. Visit the castle and see why it became a popular tourist destination.
Secret Karst Caves and a Natural Window
The Kostel area is also rich with numerous karst caves, which were shaped over time by nature. There are three caves on the River Kolpa between the Žag and Žleba villages. The Jelovička cave is 184 metres long, the Mihova and Kobilna caves are shorter, but all can be entered and explored. The Bilpa caves lie on the border with the Municipality of Kočevje. Nature has formed many human, animal and superstitious characters in them.
One of the nicer observation points is also the Kuželjska wall with a natural 7-metre window. Take a hike along the Kostel Mountain Trail to this landmark. You will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the valley of the River Kolpa and the peaks of Gorski Kotar.
The Cultural Vibrancy of the Landscape
Kostel also boasts a rich sacral heritage, as there are several churches and chapels in this area. The castle complex in its core, on the market under the Kostel castle, also protects the oldest church, the church of St. Three Kings. Events of cultural, social, ethnic, sports and recreational character give the area of the upper Kolpa valley its important recognisable tone. If you would like to experience the authentic atmosphere of local life, you are invited to visit Kostel during the time of the events held there.