Slovenia and Croatia used the Kolpa River along their border to promote the region’s natural and cultural heritage, boosting sustainable tourism, creating jobs and preventing depopulation. Three municipalities – Semič and Metlika in Slovenia, and Kamanje in Croatia – participated in the EU-funded Misterion project.
- 21 October 2020
'In this project, we teamed up, renovated the museum house in the centre of Semič and created a rich natural heritage collection called the Bela Krajina Nature Centre. We hope this project creates jobs indirectly by giving local companies a chance to prove themselves.'
Misterion involved the development of a cross-border tourist product called ‘Experience the Secrets of Water’, renovation of a building in Semič to house museum exhibitions and archaeological investigations at the Vrlovka cave on the Croatian side of the Kolpa.
In addition, two educational trails on the Slovenian side of the river were improved: one through the area’s karst landscape – terrain characterised by limestone, caves and underground rivers – from the Lebica cave to the Krupa River; the other along the Obrh stream.
A unique experience
‘Experience the Secrets of Water’ showcases the karst landscape and its development over millions of years, historic churches and castles, museums, galleries and archaeological finds. It connects visitors with campsites, which can serve as bases for activities like boating, cycling, hiking and paragliding. It facilitates visits to farms and vineyards to sample traditional food and wine.
The renovated museum building in Semič is home to the Bela Krajina Nature Centre, a collection presenting the region’s flora and fauna. An exhibition tells the story of Semič and the surrounding area from prehistoric times to the end of World War II. A viticulture collection is decorated in the style of a vineyard cottage. A ramp and lift have been installed to ensure access for people with reduced mobility.
Excavations inside and outside the Vrlovka cave, which served as a necropolis in the Neolithic period, have unearthed findings, including wheels, that provide evidence of human activity in the area.
A natural classroom
Elements of natural and cultural heritage along the karst educational trail are signposted and more accessible, partly thanks to the construction of a footbridge over the Krupa. A lookout point and an educational playground have been set up on the trail, which constitutes a natural classroom for children.
Points of interest include the Congeria, the world’s only known freshwater underground shellfish; the olm, or human fish; karst caves; and the Krupa gorge.
Starting at the underground source of the Obrh near the centre of Metlika, the Obrh educational trail, which features springs, streams and caves, has been reorganised. Aspects such as the importance of the Obrh to the people of Metlika over the centuries and watering places for animals are presented through electronic guides and educational games.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Misterion” is EUR 1 239 205, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 053 325 through the “Interreg V-A – Slovenia-Croatia” Cooperation Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Preservation and sustainable use of natural and cultural resources”.