The Carniolan bee is our indigenous bee that developed over a wide area after the last glaciation, around 10,000 years ago, spanning from the Eastern Alps and High Tatras to the Carpathians and Northern Macedonia. Humans have been cultivating it since settling in our regions. Emil Rothschütz is particularly credited for the spread of the Carniolan bee, having established the Krainer Handelsbienestand, or Carniolan commercial apiary, at Podsmreka Castle near Višnja Gora in 1868. The scientific name *Apis mellifica carnica* was recorded in the first book by Dr. August Pollmann in 1875, which he further elaborated on in his second book in 1879. Throughout its long history, it has developed distinctive morphological and behavioral characteristics that set it apart from other subspecies.

The Carniolan bee is known for its exceptional traits:
– Calmness: They are very calm and rarely sting, making it easier for beekeepers to work with them.
– Sitting on the comb: They remain calm on the combs, facilitating easy management of the colony.
– Excellent honey producers: They are highly effective at gathering honey.
– Orientation: They have excellent orientation skills and do not collide with foreign hives.
– Temperature adaptability: They can forage at lower temperatures than other bee races.
– Overwintering: They winter in relatively small colonies and consume moderate food supplies.
– Adaptability: They quickly adjust to changes in their local environment.
– Spring development: They experience an exceptionally intense spring development.
– Brood quality: Their brood is good and compact.
– Disease resistance: They are well resistant to brood diseases.
– Longevity: Bees of this race live up to 12% longer than those of other races.

Due to these characteristics, the Carniolan bee is exceptionally popular among beekeepers.