Ilirska Bistrica and its region are a landscape of culture, history and art. The famous poet Dragotin Kette was born here and the composer Miroslav Vilhar lived at the Kalec Castle. The modernist monument on top of the Freedom hill is an important work by Lenassi and Baraga-Moškon and the churches were decorated by Tone Kralj. Artists, sculptors, photographers find creative inspiration in vibrant artistic community of the region. Industrial heritage is celebrated in the Museum park at the railway station and at the Hodnik mill, and a visit to the beekeeping lodge will tell you all about the tiny industrious animals without whom nothing can survive – much like nobody can thrive without art and culture.