CC0 • Photo by Boris Maric via Wikimedia Commons

Jelenov Greben

Q: What types of animals can visitors expect to see at Jelenot Greben?

Visitors can see a resident herd of approximately 100 deer and moufflons roaming freely across the rolling hills.

Q: What kind of food is served at the on-site restaurant?

The restaurant serves traditional dishes from the Sotla valley and Kozjansko region, featuring specialties like venison and mushroom-based meals.

Q: What dining options are available for those who do not wish to eat the main regional dishes?

The on-site café offers refreshments, and the attached shop provides homemade products for visitors to enjoy.

Q: Is the location suitable for families with children?

Yes, the attraction is family-friendly, offering a unique experience where visitors of all ages can feed and interact with the resident deer and moufflons.

Q: What other attractions are located near Jelenot Greben?

The site is located near the historic Olimje Monastery, which features one of Europe’s oldest apothecaries, and is close to the renowned Terme Olimia spa.

Rustic dining and deer encounters near Olimje

#1 of 8 in Podčetrtek

Where: Podčetrtek, Štajerska
Directions: Directions

Jelenov Greben is a farm-style tourist stop near the village of Olimje, in the municipality of Podčetrtek, in the eastern Styrian hills close to the Croatian border. The name means Deer's Ridge, and the place is known for its enclosure of deer and mouflon, animals that visitors can see at close quarters and, in some cases, feed. The setting is a landscape of gentle hills, orchards and woods, with the Sotla river forming the border a short distance away, and the area belongs to the Kozjansko region, a quiet part of Slovenia with a strong rural character.

The restaurant is a major part of the attraction. It serves traditional dishes of the Kozjansko and Sotla valley, with game such as venison, mushroom dishes, soups, roast meats and home-made desserts, and the food is served in a rustic dining room or on a terrace overlooking the hills. Local wines accompany the meals, and there is a small shop with home-made products, including honey, jams and fruit brandies. It is a good place for lunch after a morning of walking, and families with children appreciate that the animals are close to the tables.

The area around Olimje has a number of attractions that pair naturally with Jelenov Greben. The Olimje Monastery, a Minorite monastery with a Baroque church, houses one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe still in its original form, with painted jars and herbal remedies from earlier centuries. The Olimje Chocolate Shop sells chocolate made nearby, and The Witch's Hut is a playful stop for children. Terme Olimia, the large spa resort, lies next door, with thermal pools and wellness treatments, and many visitors combine a day at the baths with an outing to the deer farm.

For those who want to experience farm life, the Amon Homestead and Haler Homestead offer local produce and meals, the Kozmus Beekeeping Farm sells honey and products from its hives, and the Museum of Farming Equipment shows how work in the fields was done in earlier times. Podčetrtek has also been recognised for its sustainable tourism, and it is easy to explore the area by bicycle. Check the opening hours of the restaurant and the farm, since they change with season, and reserve a table for weekend lunches.