Gorenjka chocolate factory

Lesce is a small town on the plain below Bled, in the Upper Sava valley, and it is known to most Slovenes for two things: its railway junction and the Gorenjka chocolate factory. Gorenjka chocolate has been made in Lesce for many decades, and the brand, with its distinctive wrappers, is a familiar sight on the shelves of Slovene shops. For many people, a bar of Gorenjka milk chocolate or one of its filled varieties is a childhood memory, and the products are bought as gifts to take home from Slovenia.

The factory is a working production site, and public access is more limited than at a museum. Visitors should not expect to be able to walk in without arrangement, but the brand is part of the local identity, and its products are easy to find in shops in the town and around Bled and Radovljica. The best occasion to meet the local chocolate culture is the Chocolate Festival in Radovljica, held in spring, when producers and pastry makers gather with tastings, stalls, demonstrations and workshops in the old town. Gorenjka usually features among the participants, along with smaller chocolatiers.

Lesce itself has quiet attractions that suit a short stop. The Church of the Assumption of Mary is the main church of the village, and Legatova hiša and Španova hiša are traditional houses that recall rural Gorenjska life. The Beekeeping Education Centre of Gorenjska reflects the importance of beekeeping in the region, where the Carniolan honey bee and decorated hive panels are part of the national heritage. Lesce Alpine Sports Airfield is a base for parachuting and gliding, and in good weather the sky above the town is often dotted with canopies and sailplanes. Šobec Campsite lies on the Sava river nearby and is popular with families, while Bowling City Lesce provides indoor entertainment on a wet day.

Visitors who enjoy sweet treats can combine chocolate with the other local specialities of Gorenjska, such as the cream cakes of Bled and honey from local beekeepers. The area also makes a convenient base for exploring Lake Bled, Radovljica and the foothills of the Julian Alps. If you want to visit the factory itself or its shop, contact the company in advance to ask about current opening arrangements.