Galerija Kambič

Metlika is a small town in Bela Krajina, in the south-east of Slovenia, close to the Croatian border and the Kolpa river, and it is known for its wine, its castle and its long history as a border town. Galerija Kambič is an art gallery in the town, built around a collection donated to Metlika by Vinko Kambič, a local patron who gathered paintings by Slovene artists over many years. It is one of the more unexpected cultural attractions in this quiet corner of the country, and it gives visitors the chance to see a representative selection of twentieth-century Slovene painting without going to the capital.

The collection includes works by a number of leading painters of the Slovene art world, arranged in thematic halls that group the works by subject or period. The pictures include landscapes, portraits, still lifes and scenes of rural life, and they give a good impression of the variety of styles in Slovene painting, from impressionism and realism to modern and expressionist trends. A part of the gallery is dedicated to the opera singer Vilma Bukovec, associated with the donor's family, and a display records her career and the world of music. The rooms are small and well lit, and the labels are clear, so a visit is easy and relaxed.

The gallery is a local institution as well as a showplace. It organises temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists, events and activities with schools, and it makes use of the building for cultural gatherings. A visit takes around an hour or two, and the staff are usually glad to explain the collection. Opening times vary, and it is wise to check before travelling, particularly outside the main season. The gallery is also a good rainy-day stop in a region where most attractions are outdoors.

The gallery is in Metlika, not in the village of Adlešiči on the Kolpa, but both lie within the same region and a visit to one can be combined with the other by car. Around Adlešiči, visitors can enjoy Canoeing and Rafting at Jankovič (Stari pod), Jankovič (Stari pod) Camping, Kanuing Kupa, the Natural swimming pool at Tržkov slap and Wooden glamping houses, while the Cultural-Artistic Community 'Božo Račič' keeps local traditions alive and the Spomenik na Gricku and Pivovarne Vizir offer further interest. Production of home linen, embroidery, and Easter eggs is a local speciality. Metlika has an old centre and a castle worth a walk, so a day can easily combine art, history and the river.