Valvasor collected fossils in the surroundings of Šentjernej, for in his Glory of the Duchy of Carniola he refers to the sites of Miocene snails in the fields opposite to Vrhovo Castle and Gracarjev Turn. Janez Vajkard Valvasor (1641-1693) was not only a versatile historian and polymath, but also a good observer, collector and even fossil collector. As written in his Glory of the Duchy of Carniola, he spent much time between Izlake and Moravče, collecting fossils there. His texts in the book are genuine and probably also the first paleontological treatises, since they embrace all the elements of modern scientific works.

Valvasor diverted his enthusiasm for fossils also to the Dolenjska region, where his second wife’s home stood. It was in the vicinity of Vrhovo Castle and Gracarjev Turn from where Valvasor described some very interesting fossil sites. Even now we can pinpoint exactly where Valvasor was searching for fossils and probably also collecting attractive Miocene snails and bivalves in freshly dug fields or molehills.