Summer at the Cisterscapes! 

This summer, the Slovene Museum of Christianity welcomed young visitors for a week of educational workshops that combined creativity, play, and hands-on learning with the rich cultural heritage of Europe. Held during the first week of the school holidays, the programme invited children to explore the values, traditions, and stories that continue to shape European identity. 

The week began with an introduction to the museum and its mission before participants embarked on an imaginative journey following the routes of nineteenth-century Slovenian missionaries to Africa and North America. Through storytelling and interactive activities, the children reflected on the importance of cultural exchange, curiosity, and understanding different peoples and traditions. 

The programme then turned to one of Europe’s most influential historical networks: the Cistercian Order. Discovering how monasteries shaped both landscapes and communities, participants explored traditional water-based economic activities and built their own miniature watermills, inspired by the medieval mills that once played a central role in everyday life. 

The final workshops immersed the children in the world of medieval craftsmanship and manuscript production. They learned how paper was traditionally made, prepared ink using an old monastic recipe, and practised writing with authentic calligraphy pens, experiencing first-hand the artistry and patience behind medieval book production. 

By reconnecting young people with traditional crafts, self-sufficiency, and the enduring legacy of the Cistercians, the workshops offered much more than a summer activity. They encouraged participants to recognise how ideas, knowledge, and innovation travelled across Europe through monastic networks, helping to shape a shared cultural heritage that continues to inspire new generations today.