Who Said "Honey"?

Intricate designs of Škofja Loka and Dražgoše honeybreads of Slovenia

Town Škofja Loka (1843) by Joseph WagnerNational and University Library of Slovenia

Little Bread of Škofja Loka

In the 18th century nuns of order of St. Clare began to make a honey pastry called little bread in Škofja Loka. By the end of the century little honey bread spread among the wider population.

Since then, its ingredients remain the same - flour, honey and various spices. This honey pastry has always symbolized love and the abundance. In the past little honey bread was baked on church and personal feasts, it was important part of weddings and known as symbol of love.

Mali kruhek - Little Bread - Lots of Love by TurizemSkofjaLokaSlovenian Tourist Board

Škofja Loka honeybread

Lili Panjtar, master of making Loka little bread

Today it is baked also on other occasions. With its ingredients it is eatable for very long and it is a healthy snack for every day.

Loka Honeybread in the Form of a Horn by Radovljica Municipality MuseumsBeekeeping Museum in Radovljica

The tradition of honeybread making is continued by the masters craftswoman and it is made in two main types. In Škofja Loka it is called "Škofja Loka little bread" and a spiced honey dough is shaped in hand-carved wooden moulds.

Mali kruhek - Little Bread - Lots of Love by TurizemSkofjaLokaSlovenian Tourist Board

Škofja Loka honeybread

Lili Panjtar, master of making Loka little bread

Loka Honeybread in the Form of a Swaddled Baby by Radovljica Municipality MuseumsBeekeeping Museum in Radovljica

"Swaddled baby"  Škofja Loka little bread.

Heart-shaped Loka Honeybread by Radovljica Municipality MuseumsBeekeeping Museum in Radovljica

The most common Loka honeybread shapes are hearts, rhombuses and circles.

Mali kruhek - Little Bread - Lots of Love by TurizemSkofjaLokaSlovenian Tourist Board

Škofja Loka honeybread

Petra Plestenjak Podlogar, master of model carving for Loka little bread

Models for Loka honeybread by Ivan EsenkoBeekeeping Museum in Radovljica

Moulds for Loka honeybread

Mould for "swaddled baby" shaped Loka honeybread

Mould for "horse" shaped Loka honeybread

Mali kruhek - Little Bread - Lots of Love by TurizemSkofjaLokaSlovenian Tourist Board

Dražgoš honeybread

Alenka Lotrič and Breda Tolar, masters of making Dražgoše honeybread

Dražgoše Honeybread by Ivan EsenkoBeekeeping Museum in Radovljica

Dražgoše Honey Bread

Whereas in Železniki and Dražgoše, the Dražgoše honey bread is entirely handmade.

Hand-shaped and hand-decorated

The oldest shapes are decorated hearts and half moons, which boys and girls gave to each other on the Christian holiday of Three Kings. 

Credits: Story

📣 Special thanks to Turizem Skofja Loka. We encourage you to watch the full video here.

Learn more about Radovljica Municipality Museums' Museum of Apiculture on our website.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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