Bajer
The Bajer water reservoir is located near the village of Rožni Dol. This hilly and wooded area of Bela Krajina is gradually turning into the Dolenjska region. The name of the nearby village of Potoki reveals that this is a world of streams and springs, as the waters flow down two ravines into the valley and feed the stream at Bajer. This is dammed by a high concrete barrier, which has created a small reservoir or pond. The water from this pond was pumped by pumps through water pipes to the nearby Rožni Dol railway station, where steam locomotives on the Ljubljana - Metlika - Karlovac railway line used to operate.
Today, the Bajer area is one of the largest wetlands in the municipality Semič. The local streams, springs and pond offer ideal living conditions for wetland plants and animals, making Bajer a paradise for amphibians. The most common are the wood frog, the hill urchin, the green frog and the marsh harrier. In spring, a visit to this pond is a special experience, as you can watch a lively frog wedding. The crayfish, water snails, tadpoles, leeches, dragonflies, damselflies and many other species still live here.
You can walk around the pond on a circular path. It is particularly peaceful in spring, when the bright green canopy of the trees growing along the calm water reflects on the surface of the lake. You can refresh yourself with the clear, cool water at the well-kept spring and sit on a bench by the lake in peace. People come from near and far to enjoy the excellent spring water, appreciating its refreshing natural energy.
Next to the spring is a former pumping station with one of the oldest preserved diesel engines in Slovenia. The cultural, technical and natural features of this interesting location are presented on explanatory signs at the spring.
The water from Bajer then flows into a typical karst sink. After a few days' journey along hidden underground paths, it resurfaces at the famous source of the Krupa River and continues its journey across the Bela Krajina karst plain.
