Introducing Skofja Loka, Slovenia
Skofja Loka is one of the oldest and prettiest towns in Slovenia with a history that goes back to the 10th century. It has about 12,000 inhabitants. Skofja Loka means ‘Bishop’s Meadow’ in a literal translating. It was originally named Loka, which means wet, grassy area near water. But at that time there were lots of settlements named Loka in Slovenia, so Skofja was added to the name. The town lies at the confluence of the Poljanska Sora and Selska Sora rivers in northwestern Slovenia, some 23 kilometres (14 miles) northwest of Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana. You can visit it as a day trip from Ljubljana, or spend a night or weekend there.
The main attraction in Skofja Loka is definitely its extremely well-preserved old town which stands on river terraces, and comprises two charming squares, the Town Square and the Lower Square. The maze of picturesque alleyways is typical for Central Europe and so pleasant to wander around. Every corner hides some little gems, whether it’s one of many historic buildings (which are all protected as monuments), small cafes or interesting backyards. The town is dominated by the Loka Castle, standing proudly on the hill above Skofja Loka. It is one of the finest castles in Slovenia. It dates back to the early 13th century and houses one of Slovenia’s most impressive museum collections. But that’s not the only reason why it’s worth climbing up the hill to the castle. The view from up there is the best one you can get in Skofja Loka, with the old town directly below, and idyllic countryside with green fields and forests all around and rugged snowcapped mountains of the Slovenian Alps in the distance. One of the must-do’s in Skofja Loka is to walk over the Capuchin Bridge across the Selska Sora river. The bridge dates from the 14th century and is considered one of the oldest monuments in Slovenia.
The town’s well-stocked tourist information centre, which is housed in the Kasman House, in the middle of the Town Square, is the best place to begin a visit to Skofja Loka. The helpful staff can provide a wealth of information on all of the sights both in the town and the surrounding countryside, and various souvenirs, books and maps are also available for purchase in addition to free brochures and other handouts. Visitors can also arrange walking tours with knowledgeable local guides who provide a more in-depth explanation of Skofja Loka’s intriguing history, culture and legends.
Skofja Loka Pictures
View our image gallery with high-resolution photos that proves you absolutely have to visit Skofja Loka!
Photo by Jernej Leben
A panoramic view of the town of Skofja Loka.
Next 3 photos below by Domen Dolenc
A symphony of red-tile roofs in autumn.
Skofja Loka’s old town is set at the confluence of the Poljanska Sora and Selska Sora rivers.
The Capuchin Bridge a.k.a. Stone Bridge across the Selska Sora river.
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Skofja Loka is one of the oldest towns in Slovenia with a population of 11,900. It is a gem of a medieval town with much to see, including the hill-topping castle, historic buildings, decorated churches, beautiful bridges and interesting museums. The town dates from the 10th century and is considered the most carefully preserved medieval town in the country. |
Location of Skofja Loka on the map
Address: Kapucinski trg 1, 4220 Skofja Loka, Slovenija
Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 46.167187, 14.304734
GPS coordinates: 46° 10′ 1.8732” N 14° 18′ 17.0424” E
Region: Upper Carniola (Slovene: Gorenjska)