A Day of Exploring
The second day was mostly devoted to my Semič Slovenia family heritage. We started off with a homemade breakfast of eggs, toast, salami, cheese, coffee, and pear juice, then set out for the entire day.
Our first stop was Cerkev svete Trojice (Holy Trinity Church) in the small village of Vinji Vrh, just steps away from our tourist farm. We were very fortunate to run into a local, Uroš Novina, who is the municipality’s social media manager and a talented photographer. He explained all the things to do in Semič, from biking and rafting to hiking and historical sites. He recommended the local museum, which we were already planning to explore.
We made it to the Muzejska hiša Semič, which has two floors packed with natural and cultural history. We learned about local traditions and how many residents in this area emigrated to the US. Many left in the late 1800s due to a fungus that wiped out their vineyards. After the museum, we checked out the demonstration garden, Učni vrt dr. Derganca. We were fortunate that it’s grape harvesting season and got to try a few varieties. After a quick stroll, we ended our visit to Semič with a walk around St. Stephen’s Church. It has the most beautiful mosaic mini “temple.”
While visiting the museum, we learned that my great-grandmother, Anna Spreitzer, might have been part of the German group who settled in Slovenia around the 14th century. They lived at the top of the hill above Semič in a little village called Planina. We headed for this spot next and were lucky to find two Spreitzer graves.
One was sadly the resting place for a young lady just twenty years old, Johanna Spreitzer, who was born in 1900. We also found Mathias Spreitzer, who lived from 1858 until 1927. In visiting the churches and cemeteries, we saw the same crucifixion symbol with INRI inscribed on top. I need to check if my grandpa’s pendant had the same symbol.
Hike up to Mirna Gora
Between museum and cemetery visits, we climbed what felt like forever straight up a mountain to Mirna Gora, the highest peak in the area. Legend has it that a dragon lived up here and breathed smoke over the village until their crops dried, but then a knight killed the dragon and saved the town. (Fun story from Lydia at the museum!)
Churches in and around Semic
There was a mountain lodge where we took in the view while enjoying an espresso for Jason and a spritzer for me (white wine and bubbles).There was an old watchtower we were able to climb for another fantastic view.
After the mountain adventure, we went down the hill to explore the small village of Petrova Vas. This was where the Graheks were from. The Semič Slovenia family heritage continues. They were the descendants of Anna (b. 1894) and Anna Spreitzer (b. 1914), who is my great-grandmother. We visited the cemetery and found many Graheks, confirming that this was their village.
Slovenia Stone henge then dinner
We quickly headed south for a drive to Črnomelj and the Tančki Stonehenge, which we knew nothing about but wanted to check out. Interesting stones and a sinkhole in the middle. Now back to Semič for a big dinner of steak, chicken, gravy, hashbrowns, and veggies. There was a lovely three-quarter-filled moon to light the road back.
Another great day on this adventure and a great Semič Slovenia family heritage journey and exploration, but it’s not over yet. Tomorrow we will continue the heritage search more. We are leaving Semic and heading over to “the most beautiful city in the world”, then onward to Bled for the night. Until next time, keep exploring.
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Day 1 – Bela Krajina Hike to Mysterious Spring: Zagreb to Semic
