Naklo, Upper Carniola Region, Slovenia

🇸🇮 Naklo (Naklas) is the largest town and the seat of the Municipality of Naklo in Slovenia. In addition to the main settlement, formerly known as Veliko Naklo (Großnaklas), it includes the hamlets of Malo Naklo (Kleinnaklas), Pivka (Piuka), and Podreber.

Name Naklo was first mentioned in written sources in 1241 as Nacel (and as Nakel in 1252, Nachil in 1317, Nakal in 1320, Nackel in 1323, and Nakel in 1328). The name Naklo appears elsewhere in Slovenia and in other Slavic countries—for example, Nakło (Poland) and Náklo (Czech Republic). The name is derived from *nakъlo, a fused form that has lost inflection from the prepositional phrase *na kъlě 'on a (sandy) spit in a river', thus referring to the location of the settlement. The town was known as Naklas in German in the past.

History Naklo was plundered by Ottoman forces in 1475. In June 1809 the town was plundered by French troops. Banditry was a long-term problem in the area, and local bandits took shelter in the nearby Udin Woods (Slovene: Udin boršt). Naklo had one of the first running water systems installed in Slovenia, in the 18th century, due to the efforts of Jurij Voglar (1651–1717), who willed his property in order to achieve this goal. During the Second World War, German forces surrounded Naklo with a network of bunkers and wire barriers, and they established a headquarters for an SS regiment in the town.

Church The local church is dedicated to Saint Peter. It is a Baroque structure and was renovated after a fire in 1843. The altar painting is by Leopold Layer (1752–1828), and the Stations of the Cross were painted by Janez Wolf (1825–1884).

Geography The Municipality of Naklo in the Ljubljana Basin lies in the Kranj Plain and in the middle of the Naklo Valley between the two oldest terraces of the Sava and Tržič Bistrica rivers. It is surrounded by the Dobrava conglomerate terrace and Udin Woods (Slovene: Udin boršt). To the south and east it borders the City Municipality of Kranj, to the north the Municipality of Tržič, and to the west the Municipality of Radovljica. Although the Naklo Valley is regarded as narrow, the Municipality of Naklo has good road connections. The freeway from Ljubljana to Jesenice passes the edge of the Udin Woods, and on the west side of the woods there is a road to Jesenice and Tržič. Both lead to border crossings with Italy and Austria.

Settlements In addition to the municipal seat of Naklo, the municipality also includes the following settlements: • Bistrica • Cegelnica • Gobovce • Malo Naklo • Okroglo • Podbrezje • Polica • Spodnje Duplje • Strahinj • Zadraga • Zgornje Duplje • Žeje

Economy Due to its location, transport links, and proximity to major economic centres across the country, the Municipality of Naklo has developed small businesses and intensive farming activities. Some of the population works locally, but many commute to work to Kranj and Tržič. The municipality is seeking to promote the development of agriculture, small business, and tourism.

Economy: Tourist Industry Several historical sights in the Municipality of Naklo are tourist attractions. Camping is available along the Tržič Bistrica River. Natural attractions include the Udin Woods and forested Dobrava terrace. Other activities include tennis, horseback riding, cycling, fishing, and hiking.