Straw hat making played an important role in the life and development of Domžale for three centuries, growing from a traditional cottage craft into a significant economic activity. Domžale straw hats were once highly valued and sold throughout Europe and even in the United States. Today, this heritage is preserved by the Domžale Straw Hat Museum, where the permanent exhibition 300 Years of Straw Hat Making in Slovenia presents more than 700 objects, photographs and documents, as well as over one hundred different straw hats. Visitors can discover traditional production techniques, tools and the stories of people whose lives were closely connected with straw hat making, and can even try their hand at braiding straw and sewing straw hats.
Domžale
Municipality
ATTRACTIONS
Domžale Straw Hat Museum
Krumperk Castle
Set in the picturesque area of Gorjuša, the Renaissance Krumperk Castle is one of the most important historical monuments in the Municipality of Domžale. It was first mentioned in written sources in 1338 and acquired its present appearance around 1580 under the Ravbar family. The castle is also associated with Adam Ravbar, a knight and commander of the Carniolan noble cavalry who distinguished himself in the Battle of Sisak in 1593. Although the castle interior is not currently open to visitors, it can be viewed from the outside, and a visit can easily be combined with nearby natural and cultural attractions.
Železna Jama Cave and the Caving Museum
Near Krumperk Castle lies Železna jama, a tourist karst cave consisting of two chambers connected by a passage and bridges. Although relatively small, the cave features a diverse range of karst formations, including stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone formations, rimstone pools and smaller curtains. One of its distinctive features is its curved dripstone formations, whose growth was influenced by the wind. The nearby Jamarski dom is home to the Caving Museum, which features speleological, natural history and archaeological collections, including dripstones from the collection of naturalist Franc Hohenwart, Palaeolithic finds and remains of fauna from Babja jama.
EXPERIENCES
Kamniška Bistrica and the Green Axis
The Kamniška Bistrica River forms the green backbone of Domžale, and along its banks runs the Green Axis, a landscaped walking and cycling route that connects different parts of the municipality and offers numerous opportunities for relaxation, exercise and exploring the riverside environment. Rest areas, tree-lined sections, sports facilities and educational content about the river can be found along the route, making it popular with walkers, runners and cyclists and one of the most recognisable green experiences in Domžale.
A Walk Among the Straw Hat Factories
The story of Domžale’s straw hat heritage can also be discovered beyond the museum on the themed Walk Among the Straw Hat Factories, which begins at the Straw Hat Museum. After learning about the history of straw hat making, visitors can explore the town and discover traces of its industrial past, including former large factories, an industrial chimney, an old villa and other landmarks connected with the period when straw hat making was a key part of life in Domžale.
Studenec Open-Air Theatre
In the small village of Studenec pri Krtini, where forests, fields and the Studenec spring meet, stands the Studenec Open-Air Theatre, the third-largest covered open-air theatre in Slovenia. Every summer it comes to life with the Studenec Cultural Summer Festival, attracting visitors with a varied programme of music and theatre. A particularly important part of its identity is its local theatre production, which continues a long tradition of amateur theatre. The first performance was staged as early as 1949, and today many residents from the surrounding communities continue to take part in its productions.
Fairytale Šumberk
Just a few steps from the town centre begins Fairytale Šumberk, an adventure trail for families that leads from Češminov Park along the Kamniška Bistrica River and into the Šumberk forest, where visitors encounter stories, challenges and fairytale characters. The central story is based on the picture book The Lost Straw Hat, linking Domžale’s straw hat heritage with nature and an imaginative world, while the approximately 3.5-kilometre circular trail also introduces visitors to the natural and karst heritage of Šumberk.
Cycling
Domžale offers numerous opportunities for exploring the area by bicycle, with one of the most enjoyable routes following the Green Axis along the Kamniška Bistrica River. The easy, well-maintained route is just over 14 kilometres long, runs along both banks of the river and is suitable for both family outings and recreational cycling. Rest areas, drinking fountains, children’s playgrounds and outdoor exercise stations can be found along the way. Several other marked routes are available for longer rides, including the almost entirely flat Slamnata kitka route and the 36-kilometre Western Route, which connects numerous natural and cultural attractions across the municipality.
Domžale Sports Park and Swimming Pool
Domžale Sports Park is the town’s main sports and recreational area, with the renovated Domžale Swimming Pool forming an important part of the complex. Following extensive renovation, the pool reopened in July 2026. The modern facility features an Olympic-size swimming pool, two massage pools, a paddling pool and a learner pool with a slide. Visitors can also enjoy children’s play areas, outdoor fitness equipment, table tennis and badminton facilities, making it a welcoming place for sport, relaxation and socialising for all generations.
