In order to preserve and maintain natural and cultural heritage, protect and study geomorphological, geological, and hydrological features, rare and endangered plant and animal species, archaeological sites, ethnological and architectural characteristics, cultural landscape, and to ensure opportunities for appropriate development, the Municipality of Črnomelj declared the area along the Kolpa River a landscape park in 1998 (Decree on the Establishment of the Kolpa Landscape Park, Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 82/98).

With the entry into force of the Nature Conservation Act (ZON-UPB2, Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 96/04), the Municipal Decree on the Establishment of the Kolpa Landscape Park (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 82/98) became an act protecting natural assets of national importance. This led to the adoption of the Decree on the Kolpa Landscape Park (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 85/06), which has been in force since 25 August 2006.

In accordance with the provisions of the Decree, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia established the park management authority – the public institution Krajinski park Kolpa (Decision on the Establishment of the Public Institution Krajinski park Kolpa, Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 98/06).

Within the framework of the public nature conservation service, the institution carries out protection, professional, supervisory, and management tasks within the park area.

It operates as an indirect budget user under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning. The headquarters of the park administration is located in Adlešiči.

There are currently 66 registered natural assets in Krajinski park Kolpa, including 21 caves. All natural assets within the park have the status of natural assets of national importance. Due to their exceptional value and significance, 15 of them are protected as natural monuments, and one as a strict nature reserve (Hrastov gaj – a beech forest stand with nesting sites of the grey heron). Natural assets cover 22.3% of the park’s total area.
The park mainly includes the following types of natural assets:
• geomorphological features (e.g. sinkholes, steep slopes above the Kolpa River),
• underground geomorphological natural assets (caves),
• trees as natural assets (trees that serve as important visual and spatial landmarks or have exceptional size or form),
• zoological assets (habitats of the grey heron),
• hydrological assets (the Kolpa River and numerous smaller springs, streams, and gullies along its course).

More information is available on the official website of the park:
https://www.kp-kolpa.si/

• Šokec Manor Žuniči (presentation of the history of the household and the protected area, implementation of workshops according to the programme)
• Biodiversity Experience Centre in Grduni (also offers accommodation capacity for up to 30 people)
• Guided and organized excursions through the park and the Bela krajina region for all target groups
• Natural monuments (the Kolpa River, ponds, viewpoints, sinkholes, old trees, caves, etc.)
• Hiking trails (Grajska, Sejmska, Najjužnejša, Mlinarska, Čredniška, Vlaška, etc.)
• Rich cultural heritage and traditions (stelniki, local crafts, folklore traditions)

Krajinski park Kolpa can be reached from the directions of Ljubljana, Kočevje, and Novo Mesto. The park is also accessible from neighboring Croatia via the routes Zagreb – Novo Mesto and Karlovac towards Rijeka, with exits at Novi Grad (Žuniči information point), Bosiljevo II (Vinica), or Vrbovsko (Stari Trg ob Kolpi). The park’s information center is approximately 120 km from Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana.

Web: info@kp-kolpa.si

Tel:+386(0)73565240
00386 31 433 129
Adlešiči 3a, 8341 Adlešiči, Slovenija