The Black Cross

A mere five-minute drive down the trunk road leads us to the Black Cross, a location linked to one of Slovenia's greatest legends. In the 16th century, Friderik, a young count of Hrastovec was enamoured with Agata, a beautiful local. Their love was met with violent opposition from the count's mother, who ultimately ensured Agata was accused of witchcraft. Thus, while Friderik engaged in war, his lover was beheaded then burned. Grief-stricken, the count had a black marble cross erected as a symbol of their tragic love. The present-day cross has been rebuilt, while an account of the lovers' story can be found in Ilaunig's work Črni Križ pri Hrastovcu.