The Rodik Mythical Park is an excellent example of how collaboration between the local community, educational institutions, and creators can lead to a sustainable interpretation of cultural heritage. This is a concrete project in which students and experts affiliated with VSOM—the Sežana College of Materials Design—actively participated.
Stone as a Storyteller
In this project, Karst stone comes to life as a vessel for mythical stories. Stone markers have been placed in the natural environment to guide visitors through the mythical landscape of Rodik. The result is:
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28 sculptures,
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13 trail markers
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and the Babe installation,
which together weigh a total of 40 tons of hand-carved Karst stone.
The Knowledge and Creativity of Students and Professors
The project brought together professional expertise, contemporary design, and traditional stonemasonry techniques. Participants affiliated with VSOM played an important role:
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Špela Šedivy – sculptor and graduate of the Sežana Higher Vocational College,
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Damjan Švara – academic sculptor and lecturer at VSOM,
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Marko Drpić – typographer and calligrapher,
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Tomaž Vadjunec – project mentor.
Their work demonstrates the importance of education in developing high-quality, sustainable solutions in the built environment.
Sustainable Tourism and Design Without Unnecessary Interventions
The Mitski Park Rodik project respects the natural landscape. The stone markers blend seamlessly with the environment and enable a sustainable tourism experience without visual pollution. This is an example that we at VSOM hope to replicate in the future—with concrete projects that connect students, the local community, and industry.
Photos: Tina Perenič, Jan Antonac, Tina Furlan
