Mali Slatnik (, in older sources also Mali Slatenek, ) is a settlement in the hills east of Novo Mesto in southeastern Slovenia. The area is part of the traditional region of Lower Carniola and is now included in the Southeast Slovenia Statistical Region.Novo Mesto municipal site In January 2026, the population was 264.
Geography
Mali Slatnik is a clustered village in a level area on both sides of the road from Novo Mesto to Kostanjevica na Krki. The area has many springs, which flow into Bajer Creek, also known as Slatnik Creek () and Šajser or Šajsar (from German ). The most powerful spring is Slatnik Spring (), which was used as a source of drinking water.
History In 1866, Johann Mach (1805–1879; the father of the physicist Ernst Mach), who lived in the neighboring village of Veliki Slatnik, started cultivating Japanese silkmoths in the oak forest on Mach Hill (, elevation: ) south of Mali Slatnik.Machova učna pot. Machov hrib in jamamaj. Signboard on the Mach Nature Trail. Novo Mesto: Društvo Machova dediščina pod Gorjanci. Some of these farmed silkmoths eventually escaped, resulting in the presence of this species in Slovenia today.
Schooling was established in Mali Slatnik in 1913, and a schoolhouse started operating in 1935. During the Second World War, Partisan forces attacked an Italian post set up in the schoolhouse, burning it. The schoolhouse was rebuilt and expanded after the war.
Two mills formerly operated along Bajer Creek. The building of the Tiček Mill () is still preserved, and it was supplied by a millrace long.Machova učna pot. Tičkov mlin. Signboard on the Mach Nature Trail. Novo Mesto: Društvo Machova dediščina pod Gorjanci. Both mills were abandoned by 1971.
References
External links
Mali Slatnik on Geopedia