Triglav Nacionalni Park Local Customs

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MYTH
Triglav ('three headed') is a complex god or gods in Slavic mythology, similar in nature to Trinity in Christianity. Often Triglav is the same deity as Troyan.

Triglav is a unity of three gods. The exact members of the trinity vary by place and time. Earlier Triglav included Svarog, Perun, and Dajbog. Later Dajbog was replaced by Svetovid or by Veles. Triglav is usually described as a fusion of these gods. More rarely he is their son. Triglav may also be a unity of lesser gods (Lesser Triglav). Usually each member of Triglav is a ruler of a single realm, such as heaven or the underworld.

In one of the legends Triglav is veiled completely, so holy that he cannot see the evil deeds of men. He rarely appears around mortals.

Triglav is depicted as a three-headed man sometimes with bands of (gold) blindfolds over his eyes, or a man with three goat heads. Several Triglav temples existed near Szczecin. During the Christianization the temples and statues of Triglav were destroyed.

This is a locally made liquer made from blue and blackberries as from different herbs. On my last Triglav trip I drank 6 in a row because I had muscle cramps and it was rainig like hell! I wanted to drink my sorrows away! What I really like about that drink is the sweet sour flavor and the little berries that you can find at the bottom of the glass :) Mind you, your lips get nice and purple from chewing on the berries :)

Available at any local GOSTILNA (restaurant)

Okay, the story is if you are a Slovene you should hike up Triglav at some point in your life. I am also told that if you reach the top of the mountain for the first time it is custom to get a Triglav spanking, although I didn't have the pleasure of that little local gem.

The legendary chamois "Zlatorog" is really folklore. It is said that Zlatorog created the Triglav Lakes Valley. What I heard about the legend is that Zlatorog was some powerful and fast Chamois, but the explanation about how he created the valley was a little unclear.

You will see other remnants of Zlatorog. Lesce Beer says his name right on the can, and some cans have a likeness off him. AT the cow festival (see Ribcev Laz page) my brother bought a hand made pipe with Zlatorog on it...awesome!

When you are on the trail is it proper to say a short greeting to the hikers you pass by. The trail system is a very friendly place, so learn these words: "Dober Dan"; which means "Good Day". You'll say it about 1,000 times on the trails, and hear it that many times, too.

Amazing bluebells get trought the rock mass. On your climbing to the mountains, you'll pass the most beautiful mountain flowers. It look like they grow directly from the rock.

Another beautiful flower. Its name is Aconitum Napellus - in english "Grandmother's Nightcap"

Thanks JLBG.

Mountain's flowers

The name of this flower is Anemona Pulsatilia - in english "Pasque Flower"

Thanks JLBG.