Pleterje Trail

Route Description

The Pleterje Charterhouse Monastery near the village of Šentjernej (Lower Carniola statistical region) is best described by two periods. The first is the Middle Ages, when the Carthusian monastery was founded but later abolished in the 16th century. The second one is the new era which started in 1899 when the Carthusian order regained its former Pleterje estate and built a new monastery.

From the Gothic-style buildings only the church, part of the cloister and sacristy have remained, the monastery's other buildings were erected in the beginning of the 20th century (Source: culture.si website). Upon entering a completely empty church, you interrupt a beam of light, thus triggering an audio tape. Suddenly, from the invisible loudspeakers, the monotonous singing of the Pleterje monks is heard, who take you into the secret world of hermit life. 

Known officially in Latin as Thronus Sanctissimae Trinitatis, a community of white monks of the strictest contemplative order in the Roman Catholic church are living secluded, behind walls in silence, work and prayer. Herman II, Count of Celje, founded it in 1403. Today, about 380 Carthusians live around the world.

The Pleterje Charterhouse monks cultivate 30 hectares of agricultural land. Within the monastery’s walls are fruit trees, vegetable garden and pastureland, while outside many vineyards, fields and meadows cover the grounds. Pears, apples, plums and juniper berries are the key ingredients of their natural brandies, which are aged in Pleterje’s cellar in wooden casks and then bottled in various sizes. The Pleterje Pear, which grows inside the bottle, is the most famous one. It is then topped off with pear brandy and our bitters made up of 49 different herbs.

The monks divide their day into 8 hours of work, 8 hours of prayer, and 8 hours of sleep. It is one of the stricter orders, as monks commit themselves to exploring the mind and very rarely mingle with other people. All women are forbidden to enter the monastery. An exception was made only for Tito's wife, Jovanka Broz, in the 1970s during a protocol visit.

Leave your car in a large marked parking lot at the following address: Drča 1. The Pleterje Trail circles the only still-inhabited Carthusian monastery in our country, which is located in the municipality of Šentjernej. Mysterious and hidden to the eye, it defies the ravages of time and evaporates a special atmosphere.

The 4-kilometre (2.85-mile) long trail starts with a tour of the Gothic church, and then follows the markings (yellow crosses on a blue surface). A large part of the path goes right next to 3-meter (9-feet) high and almost 3-kilometre (1.15-mile) long walls. After you exit the forest and cross the paved road, climb among the vineyards. From Pleterski hrib Hill, a breathtaking view of the Carthusian monastery opens up.

When you return to the starting point, do not forget to visit the open-air museum, where you can walk among the objects depicting life in the nineteenth century. It is super interesting for toddlers and parents can even taste some of the famous Pleterje Wines.