Steljniki

The "steljniki"(special types of forests or areas) of Bela Krajina are a distinctive feature of the region’s cultural landscape. In the past, due to the growing need for agricultural land, they were created by clearing forests of white hornbeam and oak. In this way, a unique cultural landscape was formed, for which Bela Krajina has long been known as the land of white birch trees and steljniki. Steljniki are agricultural areas covered with birch trees, with patches of Scots pine and an undergrowth of bracken and clubmoss. Due to this specific plant community, they contribute to the region’s biodiversity and landscape diversity, which is now gradually disappearing as the use of bedding material and traditional farming practices decline.

From the centre of Metlika, the route turns towards Drašiči, and shortly after leaving the last houses of the town, you find yourself among larger and well-maintained steljniki, as the residents of Slamna vas, Boldraž, Vinomer and Drašiči still use dried fern for animal bedding. A true celebration associated with birch trees is Jurjevo (St George’s Day). According to an old tradition, the people of Bela Krajina dress a young man in fresh birch branches. As the Green George, he is led among the people to welcome the arrival of spring.