Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Church · Ribčev Laz, Gorenjska
Church of St. John the Baptist
The small Gothic Church of St. John the Baptist, next to the stone bridge at the eastern tip of Lake Bohinj, with medieval frescoes inside and out. One of the valley’s most iconic images.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Church of St. John the Baptist
The Church of St. John the Baptist (cerkev sv. Janeza Krstnika) stands on a small hill by the water, on the far side of the bridge over the Jezernica, the short river that drains the lake. It has Romanesque origins and was rebuilt in Gothic style in the 15th century. It is surrounded by an old cemetery wall and has a wooden porch and a tower with a Baroque roof.
The exterior and interior walls preserve frescoes from the 14th to the 16th centuries, among the oldest in the region. Part of them is attributed to the painter Jernej of Loka. On the south façade, several layers of painting show Saint Christopher, who, according to the belief of the time, protected from sudden death anyone who looked at him that day.
Inside, the frescoes of the presbytery show scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist and figures of saints. On a side altar there is a wooden head of the saint, dated to 1380.
The church is open to visitors in season, with an entrance fee. Outside, the bridge, the lake and the mountains form one of the best-known photographs of Bohinj.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 minutes.
Best time
Early morning, when the lake is calm and there are few people on the bridge. The interior opens in the summer season and on special dates; check the days before you go.
How to get there
In Ribčev Laz, a few steps from the bus stop and the car park, on the far side of the stone bridge.
Tip
See the frescoes on the south façade before entering and photograph the church from the lake shore with the bridge in the foreground.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Church of St. John the Baptist
How old is the Church of St. John of Bohinj?
It has Romanesque origins and was rebuilt in a Gothic style in the 15th century. The frescoes date from the 14th to the 16th centuries.
Is the Church of St. John the Baptist in Bohinj open?
The interior opens in the summer season, with a paid entrance. Outside that time, visits are usually limited to the exterior; confirm in advance.
Where is the Church of St. John in Bohinj?
In Ribčev Laz, at the eastern tip of the lake, next to the stone bridge over the Jezernica.