Father of the marking Alojz Knafelc receives memorial plaque in...

Father of the marking Alojz Knafelc receives memorial plaque in his native Novo mesto.

No modern technology brings as many smiles, a sense of security, and good cheer to mountaineers as Knafelc's marking. Whenever we spot it, we know we're on the right path. Representatives of the Alpine Association of Slovenia, the Municipality of Novo mesto, PD Krka Novo mesto, and Krka, d. d., Novo mesto, solemnly unveiled a memorial plaque to the Novomeščan Alojz Knafelc, father of the famous red-and-white circle, at the intersection of Pugljeva Street and Župančičevo Promenade in the center of Dolenjska.

Who doesn't know the mountain trail marking? White dots with a red circle, painted with a brush without stencils in a 1:2 ratio? Knafelc's marking is undoubtedly the most recognizable symbol of the Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS), safely guiding us along mountain trails for 100 years. The author of this marking is the cartographer, mountaineer, and hut warden of Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih, Alojz Knafelc, born in 1859 in Šmihel near Novo mesto, died in 1937 in Ljubljana. Knafelc, head of the marking section of the Slovenian Alpine Association (SPD), established a uniform system for marking SPD mountain trails in 1922 with the publication of Instructions for Marking Trails in Planinski vestnik, which is still in use today.

"Knafelc's marking, a white dot surrounded by a red ring, is of course a key part of the broader trail marking system; in addition to the marking, we also use directional arrows and signposts. Knafelc painted the signposts with red paint and wrote directions and walking times on them with white paint. Even after 100 years, we follow his example, only the content of the signs today is supplemented with elevation data, and the dimensions are slightly changed. Knafelc hit the bullseye with the choice of colors and shape of the marking; he created a beautiful, simple, and highly visible symbol," said PZS President Jože Rovan about the history of the marking.

Knafelc's marking has been protected since 2007 by the Trails Act, which made them part of Slovenia's public infrastructure. Since 2016, Knafelc's marking has also been a protected trademark.


The plaque for the 100th anniversary of Knafelc's marking is the work of architect Igor Merlin and a group of mountaineers from PD Krka Novo mesto. The main initiator of the plaque's erection is the former long-time president of PD Krka Novo mesto, Anton Progar, with the aim of highlighting Knafelc's exceptional work in the local environment as well. The monument stands in the center of Novo mesto, right next to Glavni trg, from where mountain and hiking trails stretch in practically all directions.


"Rudolfova pot, one of the two main cycling and hiking trails in Novo mesto, runs along Župančičevo Promenade. PD Krka Novo mesto plans to route the end of the second main long-distance mountain trail in Dolenjska - Trdinova pot, which ends at Glavni trg - also along Župančičevo Promenade, past the new plaque. The route of the new Slovenian Cultural Trail from Vrhnika to Vinica will also pass here. The location at the junction of Pugljeva Street and Župančičevo Promenade also represents the boundary between urban and nature, between the city's cultural and natural heritage, between Novo mesto's historic city core and the recreational area along the Krka River. It thus symbolically captures the essence of mountain trails and Knafelc's marking: it is movement in nature that most directly enables getting to know the local cultural heritage, while Knafelc's marking itself, as a protected trademark, represents an important cultural heritage of Slovenia," added Mayor of the Municipality of Novo mesto, mag. Gregor Macedoni.

Tens of thousands of Knafelc's markings are placed throughout Slovenia - one estimate says there are as many as 50,000. They mark over 10,000 kilometers of Slovenian mountain trails, and they have spread across the mountainous areas of the former Yugoslavia.


17 popular mountain trails in Slovenia have received the honorary title "Krka Mountain Trail," and the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Knafelc's marking was supported by the pharmaceutical company Krka, d. d., Novo mesto, which has already shown respect and support for trail marking with the socially responsible campaign In Care for Your Health, Together We Conquer the Peaks. "From the beginning of the campaign, we also finance the regular maintenance of these trails and reconstruction after major natural disasters. PD Krka Novo mesto, whose general sponsor we have been since 2009, is the caretaker of Krka's mountain trail from Šumeči potok to Trdinov vrh on Gorjanci. We monitor all the association's activities, participated in all major renovations and interventions at Planinski dom pri Gospodični, and thus ensured the well-being of female and male mountaineers. We are aware that in today's time, support from companies and individuals is extremely important, as society needs concrete acts of solidarity and respect for the environment and people of all generations," added Krka, d. d., Novo mesto representative Ljudmila Kastelec.

Over 10,000 kilometers of mountain and an increasing number of touring cycling trails are maintained by around 900 volunteer markacists who perform trail marking, maintenance, and cleaning work voluntarily.

At the end of the ceremony, PZS President Jože Rovan added that Slovenian mountain trails are the largest sports facility in Slovenia; in addition to 60,000 PZS members, around 300,000 other Slovenian citizens and an increasing number of foreigners use them. "I think it's high time that our activity is not only recognized as socially beneficial but also regularly systematically funded, as markacists significantly contribute to the development of tourism and other activities related to mountaineering."


The Mixed Choir Krka participated in the unveiling of the memorial plaque.