Beehives

History of bee-keeping

Bee-keeping in Slovenia is a traditional agricultural activity. In the middle of the 18th century, bee-keeping was presented to the world by Anton Janša from Breznica, a village near Bled. He was the pioneer of modern bee-keeping and the first bee-keeping teacher in Vienna. Today, bee-keepers still use his techniques. Due to the efforts made by Slovenian bee-keepers, we celebrate 20 May, his birthday, as World Bee Day. The purpose is to raise awareness about the importance of bees and their role in pollination.

Carniolan honeybee

Carniolan honeybee (Apis mellifera carnica) is an autochthonous Slovenian bee subspecies and the second most common bee species in the world. It was named after Carniola (Kranjska), because this was the area where the Carniolan honeybee found its habitat through evolution. Although it is quite common in the Balkans, Gorenjska region has been recognised as its homeland. It is an exceptionally diligent, peaceful, modest bee with a great sense of orientation.

Beehive paintings

Painted beehive decorative panels that are set on the front of the beehive, closing the way to the beehive, are part of Slovenian cultural heritage. They originated from folk awareness and imagination and at the end of the 19th century and in the beginning of the 20th century, they spread almost on the entire Slovenian territory where the wooden beehive was used. They display motifs from various narratives, legends and everyday rural life. The paintings feature various contents, for instance in bee-keeping field, religion, educational content, as well as humorous and satirical content. A special feature of beehive paintings is that many motifs originate from everyday life, which is quite contrary to most folk art that originates from religious world. Today, beehive paintings are especially a popular souvenir from Slovenia.

History of bee-keeping

Carniolan honeybee

Beehive paintings

Experience

Worth visiting

Jelovica

Church of St Nicholas

Sava Bohinjka River