Dolenje pri Jelšanah

About

Dolenje pri Jelšanah (pronounced [dɔˈleːnjɛ pɾi jɛlˈʃaːnax]; Italian: Dolegna) is a village north of Jelšane in the Municipality of Ilirska Bistrica in the Inner Carniola region of Slovenia, next to the border with Croatia. The settlement includes the hamlets of Dolnji Kraj (Slovene: Dolnji kraj), Gornji Kraj (Gornji kraj), and Vrh Žloštajna.

Geography: The built-up part of the settlement occupies a small level area, the Dolenje Karst Field (Slovene: Dolenjsko polje), along the road from Ilirska Bistrica to Rijeka. Elevations in the settlement include Big Peak (Veliki vrh, 597 m), Brščice Hill (538 m), Kalič Hill (601 m), Kičiber Hill (also: Čičiber, 578 m), Kilovec Hill (516 m), Staregutnik Hill (568 m), and Stražnica Hill (also: Stražica, 577 m). Dolenje pri Jelšanah lies in a heavily karstified area with many caves, sinkholes, and losing streams. One of these streams flows through the village and disappears into Šapjan Cave (Šapjanska jama). Dolenje Creek (Dolenjski potok) has its source below Stražnica Hill and is known locally as Žloštajn Creek. The stream follows the road to Mala Bukovica, where it joins Molja Creek.