The Gospodična spring is one of the most popular attractions in the Gorjanci. The spring rises on the northern side of the Gorjanci at an elevation of 820 metres, just below the Gospodična mountain hut, in the middle of the slope leading up to Trdinov Vrh. In 1931 the Gospodična spring, the most famous and visited spring in the Gorjanci, was enclosed by a retaining wall made of roughly hewn unplastered stones. Today it is protected as a cultural monument of local importance.
A legend associated with the Gospodična spring was recorded by Janez Trdina. The legend tells how the lady of Mehovo Castle (a fortification built in the twelfth century by the counts of Višnja Gora for the conquest of Bela Krajina, the “White March” to the south-east, today in ruins), who was of an advanced age and seriously ill, drank from the healing spring and was miraculously rejuvenated and restored to health. A young woman once more, she returned home to her overjoyed husband. Not long after this, the count and countess celebrated the birth of their long-awaited heir. To mark the occasion, they gave such an unforgettable banquet for the peasants of Podgorje that some are still sated and drunk to this day! According to folk tradition, the water of the Gospodična spring still possesses the miraculous power of rejuvenation today – it is said that all who drink from it retain their youth and vitality.
Not far from the Gospodična (“Young Lady’s”) spring are the Gospod (“Lord’s”) spring and a number of other springs that converge to form the headwaters of Šumeči Potok (a stream whose name literally means “babbling brook”).
Among the better known “miraculous” springs – and one that is protected as a natural monument – is the Minutnik spring near Prežek Castle, once the property of Prešeren’s friend Andrej Smole. This spring erupts like a geyser every few minutes before dying down again. It is said to be one of the few springs in the world to exhibit such behaviour. The water of this spring is also said to have healing properties, according to those who have been drinking it for years. They claim that it restores their strength and vitality. The spring feeds the Pendirjevka, one of the famous Gorjanci streams. The fluctuating flow of water from the spring is caused by the structure of its recharge area and the dynamic hydrological conditions that prevail within it. These can be explained as a system of feeder channels through which water flows into main and secondary underground reservoirs. Since the inflow of water into the secondary reservoirs is slower than its outflow, fluctuations occur in the spring’s water level.
An earlier local name for the Minutnik spring was Prenehavnik (“the intermittent one”). According to an old tradition, the spring’s intermittent flow is explained by the fact that an enormous lake lives under the mountain, in which a great fish swims to and fro, occasionally blocking the outflow of lake water into the spring with its mouth.
Another spring with a growing reputation for its alleged ability to cleanse the soul is the Jordan spring, also known as Jordanov Studenec. Named after the River Jordan in biblical Palestine, it is believed to be a holy spring. A wall was built around it by forest workers shortly after the Second World War. Not far away, though hidden from inquisitive eyes, is a spring known as Pomozi Bog (“God help us”).
The many springs in the area are part of the natural riches of the Gorjanci. The range holds abundant reserves of groundwater and is an important source of drinking water.