Trbovlje

The central Slovenian town of Trbovlje is so easily reached that it can be done as a day trip out of Ljubljana - it is located less than an hour from the capital.

Connected by commuter rail, which run hourly and cost only 4 Euros one-way, it is inexpensive reachable.

Coal Mining

It is almost the stereotype of the Central-East European coal-mining town. That sounds grim, but in reality this small town of less than 17,000 souls is nestled on the Sava River, in a picturesque, forested river valley.

The main employers are the mines and the trio of coal-burning power plants in the area, one of which boasts Europe’s highest chimney (360 m – New York’s Empire State building is only 21m taller).

At that height, the chimney is visible from virtually anywhere in the valley, but is best viewed from the bridge running over the train station.

Music

Trbovlje’s modern claim to fame is as the hometown of industrial music veterans Laibach. Also, the Slovenian Clarinet Choir, a nationally known ensemble, is from the town and was founded by Trbovlje musicians Joze Kotar and Toni Umek.

Museums

The importance of mining to the area has given rise to the Zasavski muzej, or mining museum. It is home to a collection of mining related exhibits and works of art inspired by mining or made by miners.