Trophies of Tour of Slovenia – bear, dragon, symbol of blacksmith industry and situla

We're already reporting about trophies that are awarded daily on Tour of Slovenia and are the ultimate goal of 150 Slovenian and foreign cyclists. Host cities decided to create unique trophies and use them to send out a message about interesting parts of Slovenia, and countries natural and cultural heritage.

With trophies connected stories and heritage goes back even thousands of years are closely related with people that live there. Permanent resident of Kočevje is for example famous brown bear that has found a home in the vast preserved forest area. Hence the sculpture of brown bear for the winner of stage in Kočevje. Bear will go home with Irish Sam Bennett.

Symbol of Ljubljana is mighty green dragon that found a home on one of the most famous bridges in Ljubljana; meanwhile the bridges themselves are one of the biggest peculiarity of Slovenian capital. Ljubljana’s mayor Zoran Jankovič always stress that Ljubljana is the most beautiful city in the world, but we don’t know that if he said the same to Luka Mezgec when he presented him the trophy for the stage victory.

Officials in Zreče were thinking a lot about the trophy for the stage victory, they had so many themes to choose from – from mighty forest of Pohorje to river Dravinja and Rogla itself. On the end they choose the symbol of blacksmith industry in Zreče – today’s tradition is based on the legacy that goes back to ancient times. Sculpture is symbol of blacksmith industry and it was manufactured in Unior. Trophy will go home with Rafal Majka, winner of 3^rd stage of Tour of Slovenia.

Situla is a symbol of Novo mesto, despite the fact that this city in Dolenjska is also known for archeological findings of amber products. Situlas from Novo mesto date back to Hallstatt period and were mostly used for ceremonies. Winner of the fourth and final stage of the race will not get metal situla, but crystal replica of the famous jar.

And finally we come to the trophies for the overall winners of 2017 Tour of Slovenia. First three rider on the race will get replicas of 5200 years old wheel and its axle that was found in Ljubljana marshes. Invention of the wheel is a foundation of human civilization and culture. In thousands of year we didn’t invent anything to replace it. And believe it or now, oldest know wheel with an axle was found in Slovenia! It was done with the preciseness that is compared with the work of Leonardo da Vinci; today’s trophies are recreated with the latest 3D printing that is based on the scan of original wheel.

Trophy was designed by Katarina Toman Kracina, restoration specialist in City Museum of Ljubljana. She told that that almost 50 hours of precise and complex work went to each of the trophies; they were made by INTRI from Ljubljana. Model is printed from dust particles on the basis of 3D scan that was don in specialist workshop in Mainz, on the original wheel of course. Scan was done with laser scanner, so there was not interference with the wheel. Printed sculpture was painted and mounted on the plastic base. Engraving on the trophy is created with real golden leafs, each of them also has a certificate that only enhances the value of the trophy for the winners of 24^th edition of Tour of Slovenia.