The Church of St. Areh
| Region | Drava Statistical Region |
| Starting point | Mariborska koča Hut parking lot |
| Route length | 5,2 km (3.4 miles) |
| route duration | 1 h 20 min |
| End Point Altitude | 1249 m (4,097 feet) |
| Best time to visit | spring, summer, early autumn |
| Appropriate for | Baby Carriers , 6+ years of age |
| Level of difficulty | Moderately demanding route |
Route Description
A family trip to the Church of St. Areh will definitely stay in your memory. In addition to recreation, beautiful views and beautiful nature, this pilgrimage site is the right choice for all families who like to visit locations with an interesting history.
Areh is a mountain plain that is connected to the town of Ruše and the city of Maribor by a road. It is a famous excursion and tourist place in the hills of Ruško Pohorje, which attracts many visitors throughout the year. In winter, spacious cross-country skiing trails await you, and in summer, fragrant forests with many hiking trails. This part of Slovenia is most famous for the Church of St. Areh, which is actually dedicated to Emperor Henry II.
According to historical notes from 1545, a church existed on Areh at the end of the 15th century. This church was enlarged between 1650 and 1659 and connected with a freestanding bell tower built around 1600. The chapel of St. Lawrence was remodelled in the baroque style and connected with the sacristy in the 18th century. The biggest monument in the church is the stone tomb of St Henry. It is a relief marble slab, which shows the duke in a lying position with a crown on his head, and dressed in well-fitting clothes with a sword in his hand. The slab dates back to the 13th century and it represents Ottokar IV, Duke of Styria. It was brought to this church from the tomb chapel in the monastery of Carthusian monks in Žiče sometime after 1756 to take over the role of Henry's tomb. Among the present ecclesiastical furnishings are two things worthy of attention: the main altar done by Joseph Straub (around 1750), and the side altar of St. Anne, erected in 1695 in the workshop of the carver Reiss.
The trail is suitable for children aged 6 and older, as it has quite a long walking distance. You can start the trip from the Mariborska koča Hut and then continue on foot towards Ruška Koča Hut on Areh. There are many signs for Mariborska koča Hut, but from here on, you follow signs R and 1. At the top, you will find a beautiful church and a lake, which is used in winter for the ski resort artificial snow. At the Ruška koča Hut, you can refresh yourself and enjoy the pristine air and beautiful nature.
We wish you a nice family trip!
Interesting Facts
The inhabitants of Pohorje named Henry “Areh”. In this area, the Benedictine monks, established by St Paul from Carinthia, had a great influence because of the estates and parishes that belonged to them. During the Counter-Reformation period, they started worshiping St. Henry, because he was distinguished by his deep devotion and fidelity to the Catholic Church.
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Nearby Restaurants
Ruška Koča
The top-quality regional specialties they serve are prepared according to a traditional recipe, and are worthy of recommendation. You can refresh yourself and rest in the hut to fill your batteries for the continuation of the journey or your return to the valley. There are many events in the hut during the season, so it is often very lively there.
milan.klancnik@siol.net
02/ 603 50 46
041 666 552
Vita, Olja and Juna Recommend
Do you know the legend of Henry the Duke?
The legend tells of an evil duke named Henry, living in the town of Rogaška Slatina, who owned the territory of the hermits and subjects from Sveti Lovrenc. The people had a chapel on the border between their land and his lordship. Despite the intervention of his sister Countess Sophia (Zofija), he did not stop encroaching on their land. By doing this, he drove his sister away from home. Sophia became a nun and founded a monastery in the town of Studenice.
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