Pauček Partisan Hospitals
| Region | Carinthia Statistical Region |
| Starting point | The town of Legen – the road sign for the hospitals (Paučkove partizanske bolnice) |
| Route length | 4 km (2.85 miles) |
| route duration | 1-2 h |
| Best time to visit | spring, summer, early autumn |
| Appropriate for | Baby Carriers , 3-6 years of age , 6+ years of age |
| Level of difficulty | Moderately demanding route |
Route Description
The Pauček Partisan Hospitals make for a very interesting family trip. These secret partisan hospitals operated during the Second World War in western Pohorje.
They were named after Dr. Ivan Kopač, whose partisan name was “Pauček”.
The occupying forces never discovered them despite combing the surrounding area.
Before Pauček Partisan Hospitals were built, the wounded from the Mislinja Valley and western Pohorje were hidden on local farms. After the 14th Partisan Division lost half of its members in the fight against the occupying forces, they decided to set up secret hospitals in early April 1944. Before that, they used underground bunkers, but these were dark and full of moisture, and there was a lack of doctors. Dr. Ivan Kopač and his team were in charge of the construction. The first facility was built in early May 1944, and by the end of the war, six partisan hospitals, sanitary supplies building, and a pharmacy had been set up.
Approximately 300 wounded partisans were treated at these hospitals (13 of them died), among them also members of allied forces.
Drive towards the Kope Ski Resort and follow a well-visible sign by the road for Pauček Partisan Hospitals (Paučkove partizanske bolnice). You can leave your car by the road near the road sign. The macadam trail (4 kilometres/2.85 miles long) is nicely arranged, suitable for baby strollers and is a bit steep at times. If you have small children, you can drive right up to the hospitals and visit the open-air museum without having to walk there.
It has free access. Guided tours (5 EUR/person) can be organized for groups that call the Slovenj Gradec Tourist Information Centre (TIC) beforehand.
Interesting Facts
The Church of St. George (Sv. Jurij), one of the most interesting churches in Slovenia, is located near the town of Slovenj Gradec in Legen. This medieval pre-romanesque building was partially demolished in the 17th century, so it does not show its true age today. Archaeological remains are superbly presented and visible through the see-through glass-glazed floor. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays only, so a call to TIC Slovenj Gradec beforehand is necessary in order to visit.
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Nearby Restaurants
Mestna kavarna Slovenj Gradec
On the corner of the Slovenj Gradec Glavni trg Square, you will find a pleasant retro-style café, where you can observe the pulse of the city through large windows. Time stops for a moment in pleasant company while sipping fragrant coffee.
Trg svobode 7,
2380 Slovenj Gradec
041 804 443
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The only European gingerbread and candle maker (with a tradition dating back to 1757) is one of the most interesting tourist spots in Slovenia and thus also in the town of Slovenj Gradec. Every visitor encounters the more than two and a half century old heritage of gingerbread and candle making. All knowledge and skills have been passed down to the now ninth generation of this family business.
Welcome to the world of lect-hearts, wax candles, top-quality gingerbread as well as first-class homemade preservative-free candy and non-alcoholic mead. Honey spirits and mead are abundant!
Glavni trg 34
2380 Slovenj Gradec
+ 386 2 88 41 496; + 386 41 66 88 98
info@perger1757.si
www.perger1757.si
