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Monastery · Novo mesto, Jugovzhodna Slovenija
Pleterje Charterhouse
The only Carthusian monastery still inhabited in Slovenia, founded in the early 15th century by the Counts of Celje, at the foot of the Gorjanci hills. Beside it is an open-air museum with 19th-century rural houses.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Pleterje Charterhouse
The Pleterje Charterhouse (Kartuzija Pleterje) sits in a valley at the foot of the Gorjanci hills, near Šentjernej, between Novo mesto and Kostanjevica na Krki. It was founded in 1407 by Count Herman II of Celje for the Carthusian monks, the most reclusive order in the Church. From that period the Gothic Church of the Holy Trinity remains. After passing through other owners, the property returned to the Carthusians in 1899, who erected the present monastery within a few years.
It is the only Carthusian monastery in Slovenia still inhabited, and the monks live in cloistered silence. The cloistered area is not open to visitors. The complex, with its walls and the monks’ houses around the cloister, can be viewed from outside, and the monastery shop sells products made by the monks, who tend vineyards, orchards and bees.
Next to the parking lot is the Pleterje open-air museum, created on the model of Scandinavian museums of this type. It brings together typical 19th-century rural buildings, such as thatched houses, hay dryers and a pigsty, and shows how people lived in the Dolenjska countryside.
A trail climbs the neighbouring hill, from where you can see the whole monastery in the valley.
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
A little over an hour, including the open-air museum.
Best time
From spring to autumn, during daylight hours. The open-air museum has its own opening hours and, outside the high season, may require prior arrangement; confirm before you go.
How to get there
From Novo mesto, follow about 20 km southeast, passing Šentjernej, to the village of Drča. From Kostanjevica na Krki it’s about 10 km. There is parking next to the open-air museum.
Tip
Respect the silence around the monastery. To see the complex from above, take the trail up the adjacent hill. Combine the visit with Kostanjevica na Krki on the same day.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Pleterje Charterhouse
Can you enter the Pleterje Charterhouse?
The monks’ cloister is not open to visitors. The complex can be seen from outside, there is a monastery shop and, next to it, the open-air museum.
What is the Pleterje open-air museum?
A group of 19th-century rural buildings, such as thatched houses and hay dryers, that shows country life in Dolenjska.
Where is the Pleterje Charterhouse located?
In a valley at the foot of the Gorjanci hills, near Šentjernej, about 20 km from Novo mesto and 10 km from Kostanjevica na Krki.