Občina Brežice






Torek, 22.06.2010, 20:30
Brežice (SI), Grad Brežice / Brežice Castle, Viteška dvorana / Knight's Hall
Orchestra Barocca di Bologna, Chorus N'omen & Grazer Choral Schola
 

Zaobljeni griči, obrobje Gorjancev, zeleni svet ob sotočju Save in Krke, vinogradi, vode in gradovi – občina Brežice je kraj, kjer se stikajo svetovi. Občina Brežice se razprostira na 268 km2 in leži ob reki Krki in Savi. Po zadnjem popisu ima 24.473 prebivalcev, ki živijo v 109 naseljih oziroma v 20 krajevnih skupnostih. Ima zelo pomembno geostrateško lego, saj tu poteka pomembna cestna in železniška povezava. Pomemben dejavnik je tudi meja, ki predstavlja desetino vse meje s sosednjo državo Hrvaško, kar pomeni, da imamo v Občini Brežice od šestih mejnih kontrolnih točk s Hrvaško kar dve. Glavne gospodarske panoge so trgovina, storitvena dejavnost in obrt. Pomembno je tudi kmetijstvo, saj je število prebivalcev v Posavju, ki se ukvarja s kmetijstvom drugo v Sloveniji. Pogosto se kmetijstvo povezuje s kmečkim turistom, kjer kmetije nudijo svojim gostom doma pridelane dobrote. Prav tako je razvit zdraviliški turizem, saj se letno beleži preko 500.000 nočitev. Gonilna sila razvoja turizma so Terme Čatež, ki so največje naravno zdravilišče in drugo največje slovensko turistično središče ter spadajo v sam vrh kongresnega turizma. Občina je bogata na kulturnem in zgodovinskem področju. Imamo štiri gradove: Pišece, Bizeljsko, Mokrice, ki imajo v svojem sklopu golf igrišče, grad Brežice, v katerem je muzej in se ponaša z največjo in najlepšo poslikano viteško dvorano na Slovenskem . V njej se med drugim odvija že mednarodno priznani festival stare glasbe Seviqc Brežice, ki bogati kulturno dogajanje v poletnem času. Brežice postajajo kulturno in izobraževalno središče. V občini Brežice se zavedamo, da je za razvoj nujno potrebno vlagati v človeške vire in znanje. Poleg dveh srednjih šol je v Brežicah nastala tudi višja šola kot nadgradnja srednje ekonomske šole, potekajo pa tudi postopki za ustanovitev Fakultete za turizem. Skozi občino Brežice potekata dve vinski cesti: bizeljsko-sremiška in  podgorjanska, ki bogatita turistično ponudbo z vini in kulinariko. Na Bizeljskem najdemo t.i. repnice, ki so izdolbene vinske kleti v silikatnih peskih in jih najdemo samo na tem koncu Slovenije in lahko rečemo, da so prava atrakcija za turiste.
Okolica današnjih Brežic je bila poseljena že v prazgodovini. To potrjujejo bogati keltski grobovi iz drugega stoletja pred našim štetjem, najdeni na območju sejmišča. Kraj se prvič omenja leta 1241 kot Rein (Breg), na začetku 14. stoletja je postal trg, leta 1345, morda pa že leta 1322 pa se omenja kot mesto, ki je bilo eno izmed središč salzburške posesti. Brežice so se razvijale okoli renesančnega gradu in so imele pravokotno ulično zasnovo. Postale so pomembno obrtno in trgovsko središče jugovzhodnega dela Štajerske s svojo kovnico denarja. Ob koncu 15. stoletja jih je opustošil madžarski kralj Matija Korvin, znan tudi kot kralj Matjaž. V času turških vpadov so bile večkrat požgane in oplenjene. V slovenskem kmečkem uporu leta 1515 sta pogorela stari grad iz prve polovice 12. stoletja in mesto. Grad so kasneje obnovili in utrdili z vogalnimi obrambnimi stolpi, tako da je edini v Posavju kljuboval napadom upornih kmetov med hrvaško-slovenskim uporom leta 1573. pod vodstvom Matije Gubca. V novem veku so Breščani živeli predvsem od trgovine in prometa. Ker leži mesto ob reki Savi, ki je bila pomembna vodna pot iz avstrijskih pokrajin proti vzhodu, je bilo tu živahno rečno pristanišče. Še danes je ob nekdanjem bregu ohranjenih nekaj večjih hiš bogatih trgovskih družin. Kljub temu so bile Brežice predvsem upravno in obrtno središče Spodnjega Posavja na štajerski strani in so tekmovale s Krškim, ki je bilo enako pomembno na kranjski strani. Slovenci so, da bi se postavili po robu načrtni germanizaciji, ob koncu 19. stoletja v mestu ustanovili čitalnico, posojilnico in Narodni dom. Nemški okupator je leta 1941 izgnal iz mesta in okolice 17.259 ljudi in v izpraznjene hiše naselil kočevske Nemce in priseljence iz Besarabije. 28. oktobra 1941 je bila ustanovljena Brežiška partizanska četa z nalogo, da prepreči izselitev Slovencev iz teh krajev. Po drugi svetovni vojni se je začel hitrejši gospodarski razvoj. Med kulturnozgodovinskimi spomeniki je najpomembnejši grad, ki je bil v drugi polovici 17. stoletja preurejen v baročnem slogu, prvič pa se izrecno omenja leta 1249. V njem sta razkošno poslikani viteška dvorana in kapela. Danes so tu razstavljene zbirke Posavskega muzeja, kulturna dediščina Posavja. V mestu sta župnijska cerkev Sv. Lovrenca iz 18. stoletja in cerkev Sv. Roka iz 17. stoletja, v Šentlenartu pa stoji v 19. stoletju prezidana cerkev Sv. Lenarta, ki stoji na mestu prejšnje cerkve iz 15. stoletja. V Brežicah sta živela in umrla kipar Vladimir Stoviček (1896-1989) ter slikar in grafik Franjo Stiplovšek (1889-1963). Za Občino Brežice lahko rečemo, da je občina priložnosti in prihodnosti. Priložnost je v naravnih danostih, prihodnost pa v znanju in povezovanju.
Vsem, ki vas je zamikalo obiskati deželo »kjer so jutra bliže soncu« svetujemo, da za več informacij pokličete na Zavod za podjetništvo in turizem (07 49 90 680) ali si ogledate spletni strani www.zpt-brezice.si in www.brezice.si.

Dobrodošli v Posavju, kjer se stikajo svetovi!

 

The surrounding hills, the edge of the Gorjanci range, the lush, verdant area where the Sava and Krka rivers meet, vineyards, waters and castles – the municipality of Brežice is a place where different worlds meet.The Municipality of Brežice covers an area of 268 square kilometres near the rivers Krka and Sava. As of the last public census, it had 23,253 inhabitants living in 109 settlements or 20 local communities. The municipality has an important geo-strategic location. A major road and a railway line traverse the area. An important local feature is the proximity of the national border, which accounts for one tenth of the total length of the border with Croatia, which means that two of the six border control points with Croatia are located in the Brežice municipality. The main economic activities are trade and small business. Another important activity is agriculture, with the number of people working in agriculture in the Posavje region being the second highest in Slovenia. Tourism is well developed, with more than 500,000 overnight stays every year. The main driving force of local tourism is Terme Čatež, the largest health resort and the second largest tourist centre in Slovenia, with superb congress facilities. The municipality boasts a rich culture and history. Four castles stand in its territory: Pišece, Bizeljsko, Mokrice (featuring a golf course) and Brežice (featuring a museum and the largest Great Hall with the most beautiful murals in Slovenia). The Great Hall of Brežice Castle is the venue of the internationally renowned festival of old music SEVIQC BREŽICE, which is a welcome addition to summer events. Brežice has indeed become a cultural and educational centre. The municipality is aware that investment in human resources and knowledge are necessary for further development. In addition to two secondary schools, there is a college where graduates of the secondary school of economics can continue their studies, work is always underway to set up a Faculty of Tourism.
Two wine roads run through the municipality: Bizeljsko-Sremič Road and the wine road running at the foot of the Gorjanci Hills. Both roads constitute a wonderful aspect of the municipality's tourist facilities, offering wines and local cuisine.
The Bizeljsko area is known for “repnice”, underground wine cellars dug into silicate sand that can only be found in this part of Slovenia. The wine cellars are one of the main tourist attractions. The surroundings of Brežice were populated as early as in prehistoric times. This is confirmed by lavish Celtic graves from the 2nd century BC, discovered in the market area. The settlement is first mentioned in 1241 as Rein (Breg). In the 14th century it became a market, whereas in 1345 or maybe as early as 1322 it is mentioned as a town and one of the centres of the Salzburg feudal domain. Brežice developed on a square grid of streets around a Renaissance castle. The town became an important crafts and trade centre in south-eastern Styria and included a mint. In the late 15th century the town was devastated by the Hungarian ruler Matthias Corvinus, who is locally known as King Matjaž. During the Turkish raids, the town was burnt down and pillaged on several occasions. In an uprising of Slovene peasants in 1515, an old castle from the first half of the 12th century and the town were burnt. The castle was later renovated and reinforced with corner defence towers, and was thus the only building that survived a later attack of rebellious Slovene and Croatian peasants during the uprising of 1573 under the leadership of Matija Gubec. In modern times, the people of Brežice have mostly lived off trade and transport. A lively river port was located in the town on the Sava River, which was an important water route leading from the Austrian lands to the east. To this day, several large houses of rich merchant families can be found in the town. Nevertheless, Brežice was mostly an administrative and trade centre of the Lower Posavje region on the Styrian side of the Sava, and as such it competed with Krško, an equally important town on the Carniolan side of the river. To resist systematic Germanization, Slovenes established a library, a loans bank and National Centre in the late 19th century. In 1941 the German occupying forces expelled 17,259 people from the town and its surrounding area, and moved Götscher Germans and immigrants from Bessarabia to their homes. On 28 October 1941 the Brežice Partisan unit, with the mission of preventing the expulsion of Slovenes from the area, was founded. After the Second World War, the local economy began to bloom. The most important cultural and historical monument is the castle, renovated in the Baroque style in the second half of the 17th century. The first direct record of the castle dates from 1249. The building features the Great Hall and a chapel, both with lavish murals. Today the castle houses the collections of the Posavje Museum, which is an archive of the cultural heritage of the Posavje region. The town features the Parish Church of Sv. Lovrenc (St. Laurence) from the 18th century and the Church of Sv. Rok (St. Roch) from the 17th century. The Church of Sv. Lenart (St. Leonard) in Šentlenart was rebuilt in the 19th century and stands at the site of its 15th century predecessor. The sculptor Vladimir Stoviček (1896–1989) and painter and graphic artist Franjo Stiplovšek (1889–1963) both died in Brežice. Brežice is a municipality of opportunity and the future: opportunities can be found in the natural wealth, and the future in knowledge and cooperation.
If you are interested in visiting this land “where tomorrows reach the sun” then please contact the Enterprise and Tourism Office (ZPT) for more information (tel: +386 7 49 90 680) or visit our websites: www.zpt-brezice.si and www.brezice.si.

Welcome to the Sava valley, where different worlds meet!
  

   


Občina Dolenjske Toplice







 

“Kar se tiče toplic, so ene na Srednjem Kranjskem nadvse dobre, da jih od daleč obiskujejo.,” so besede, ki jih je v drugi polovici sedemnajstega stoletja v svoji knjigi uporabil polihistor Janez Vajkard Valvasor in s tem potrdil večstoletno turistično dejavnost kraja, saj so Dolenjske Toplice še danes eden najbolj obiskanih zdraviliških območij v Sloveniji.
Prve omembe Toplic segajo v leto 1228, ko je Henrik IV., mejni grof Istrski, podelil del svoje imovine cistercijanski opatiji Stična. Kraj, ki se imenuje po izviru termalnih vrelcev, so ga le ti zaznamovali že od pradavnine, dokaz katerega so arheološka najdišča v neposredni bližini kraja.
Danes so Dolenjske Toplice prostor zdraviliškega, wellness in kongresnega turizma ter območje neokrnjene naravne in bogate kulturne dediščine.
Gonilna sila zdraviliškega in wellness turizma so Terme Krka, ki v našem kraju delujejo že skoraj štirideset let. Najnovejša pridobitev našega kraja pa je Kulturno kongresni center, katerega poglavitna dejavnost je kongresni turizem.
Med neokrnjeno naravno dediščino uvrščamo Kočevski Rog, ki kraj obdaja z desne strani in ki med svojim debli skriva tudi kulturno dediščino. Govorimo o Bazi 20, danes edini tovrstni muzej na prostem v Evropi, med drugo svetovno vojno pa kompleks barak, ki so služile kot sedež vojaškega in političnega vodstva slovenskega narodnoosvobodilnega gibanja.
Med pomembne stebre kulturne dediščine štejemo tudi cerkve, nekatere med njimi so bila pomembna romarska središča. V kraju Soteska si lahko ogledamo razvaline nekdaj mogočnega gradu, blizu katerega se bohoti vrtni paviljon s Hudičevim turnom ter ogledni depo starih avtomobilov, katerega oskrbnik je Tehniški muzej Bistra.
Največ dogajanja v kraju je v poletnih mesecih, ko se odvijajo poletne kulturne in družabne prireditve (od maja do konca septembra), vrhunec pa praznovanje doseže ob občinskem prazniku (22. julij), ko se odvija Topliška noč, največja in najpomembnejša kulturna prireditev v kraju.
Več informacij o znamenitostih, ponudbi in dogajanju v Topliški dolini lahko dobite v TIC-u Dolenjske Toplice, na telefonu 07 38 45 188, po elektronski pošti tic.dtoplice@volja.net ali si ogledate našo spletno stran www.dolenjske-toplice.si.
  		"As regards thermal waters, there are some in Central Carniola that are so excellent that people come from far and wide to visit them." These words appeared in the second half of the 17th century in a book by the polymath Johann Weichard Valvasor and confirm that tourists have been coming to Dolenjske Toplice – still today one of the most popular spa areas in Slovenia – for centuries.
The first written mention of Toplice dates from 1228, when Henry IV, the margrave of Istria, bestowed part of his property on the Cistercian abbey in Stična. The thermal springs that give the town its name have been known since prehistoric times – something proved by the archaeological sites in the immediate vicinity.
Today Dolenjske Toplice is a centre of health, wellness and congress tourism and an area of unspoilt nature with a rich cultural heritage.
The driving force behind spa and wellness tourism is Terme Krka, which has been operating here for almost 40 years. Dolenjske Toplice's latest acquisition is a Cultural and Congress Centre whose main activity is congress tourism.
The unspoilt natural heritage of the area includes the forest of Kočevski Rog, to the right of the town. The forest also conceals an important piece of cultural heritage among its trees: Base 20, today the only open-air museum of its kind in Europe. During the Second World War this complex of huts served as the HQ of the military and political leadership of the Slovene national liberation movement.
Other important elements of cultural heritage include churches, some of which were once important centres of pilgrimage. Sights in nearby Soteska include the ruins of a once-mighty castle, the garden pavilion known as the Devil's Tower and a collection of old vehicles that come under the aegis of the National Technical Museum.
Summer is the busiest time of year, with a large number of cultural and social events (from May to the end of September). The climax comes with the municipal holiday (22 July) and Topliška Noč, the biggest and most important cultural event in the municipality.
For more information about sights, services and events in the Toplica Valley, contact the Dolenjske Toplice Tourist Information Centre on Tel. +386 (0)7 38 45 188 or tic.dtoplice@volja.net or visit our website: www.dolenjske-toplice.si.
 
   

 

Občina Gornji Grad

 

Občina Gornji Grad leži v čudovito lepi kotlini, predgorju Savinjskih Alp pod Menino planino, Lepenatko in Rogatcem, ob zgornjem toku reke Drete, ki se v Nazarjah izliva v Savinjo, zato to območje geografsko spada v Zgornjo Savinjsko dolino. Področje občine Gornji Grad sestavljajo kraji Nova Štifta, Gornji Grad in Bočna ter manjši zaselki. Občina se nahaja sredi neokrnjene narave predalpskega sveta z obilo naravnih in kulturno-zgodovinskih zanimivosti. Razgibana narava nudi obilo možnosti za rekreativne dejavnosti: pohodništvo, planinarjenje, plezanje, kolesarjenje, padalstvo, lov, sankanje, turno smučanje. Vsak, ki obišče Gornji Grad najde kaj zase. Pokrajino pokrivajo večinoma iglasti gozdovi, več kot 75% površine. Na 90 km² površine živi približno 2700 prebivalcev. Ljudje se na gorskih kmetijah - celkih ukvarjajo s pridelavo mleka in gozdarstvom. Večji industrijski obrat v dolini je priznano podjetje za izdelavo brunaric in lesenih bivalnih hiš, "Smreka". Gornji Grad je edina slovenska občina, včlanjena v Evropsko klimatsko zvezo, kar priča o izredni kakovosti bivalnega okolja. V kraju je 50 kvalitetnih ležišč in 500 gostinskih sedežev. Gornji Grad ima bogato zgodovino, saj je bil tu že leta 1140 ustanovljen benediktinski samostan, v 15. stoletju pa postane letna rezidenca ljubljanskih škofov. Baročna katedrala sv. Mohorja in Fortunata je najprostornejša cerkev v Sloveniji. V nekdanjem obrambnem stolpu, imenovanem "Štekl" so danes postavljene zanimive muzejske zbirke: etnološka zbirka, zbirka starih nabožnih podobic, molitvenikov in starih razglednic ter fotografij. Na poti iz Gornjega Grada proti Radmirju so samo lučaj stran od magistralne ceste skrite obnovljene gavge, kjer menda še danes strašijo duše obešencev.
Kulinarične posebnosti: zgornjesavinjski želodec, štruklčeva župa, uheljni, masovnik, ubrnenik, frika, godlja, sirnek, žlinkrofi, ajdnek, bratci, platički.
Kako pridete do nas? Iz ljubljanske smeri se pripeljete mimo Kamnika čez prelaz Črnivec (oddaljenost od Ljubljane 50 km); Iz celjske smeri: v Šentrupertu zavijete z avtoceste, peljete se preko Mozirja, v Radmirju zavijete levo in po 10 minutah vožnje se pripeljete v Gornji Grad (oddaljenost od Celja 50 km).
  		The municipality of Gornji Grad lies in a beautiful basin in the foothills of the Savinja Alps below the Menina Plateau, Lepenatka and Rogatec, along the upper reaches of the river Dreta, which flows into the Savinja at Nazarje. In geographical terms, this area is therefore part of the Upper Savinja Valley. The municipality consists of Nova Štifta, Gornji Grad in Bočna and a number of hamlets. Set amid the unspoilt nature of the sub-Alpine world, the municipality boasts a wealth of natural and cultural sights of interest. The varied landscape also offers many opportunities for recreation: hiking, hillwalking, climbing, cycling, paragliding, hunting, tobogganing, ski touring, and so on. Something for every visitor. Most of the landscape – over 75% of the total area – is covered by coniferous forest. An area of 90 km2 is home to approximately 2,700 inhabitants. The inhabitants of the mountain farms earn their living from dairy farming and forestry. The large industrial plant down in the valley belongs to Smreka, a well-known manufacturer of log cabins and wooden houses. Gornji Grad is the only municipality in Slovenia to be a member of the European Climate Alliance – proof of the outstanding quality of the living environment. Tourist accommodation in the municipality consists of a total of 50 beds and 500 restaurant seats. Gornji Grad has a rich history. A Benedictine monastery was founded here in 1140, becoming in the 15th century the summer residence of the Bishop of Ljubljana. The Baroque church of SS Hermagoras and Fortunatus is the largest church in Slovenia in terms of usable space. The former defence tower known as Štekl today houses interesting museum collections, including an ethnological collection and a collection of devotional images, prayer books, old postcards and photographs. Just a stone's throw from the main road from Gornji Grad to Radmirje stands a restored gallows, said to be haunted by the ghosts of those who were hanged there. Gastronomic specialities: stuffed pig's stomach, dumpling soup, pig's ears, masovnik (a dish made with flour and cream), ubrnenik, frika (a fried cheese dish), black-pudding soup, sirnek (a piquant soft cheese), žlinkrofi (ravioli), and other local specialities such as ajdnek, bratci and platički.
How to get there.
From Ljubljana: drive past Kamnik over the Črnivec pass (distance from Ljubljana: 50 km);
From Celje: turn off the motorway at Šentrupert, drive through Mozirje, turn left in Radmirje and drive on for 10 minutes to reach Gornji Grad (distance from Celje: 50 km).
 
   

 

Občina Grosuplje









 

Na začetku Dolenjske, vzhodno od Ljubljane, leži občina Grosuplje. Začetki poseljenosti na Magdalenski gori segajo v mlajšo železno dobo. Šmarje - Sap, drugo največje naselje v občini, je bilo več kot 700 let cerkveno in kulturno središče zahodne Dolenjske.
Grosuplje, kulturno in poslovno središče občine, je bilo prvič pisno omenjeno že leta 1136. Ugodna strateška lega pa je v zadnji tridesetih letih Grosuplju omogočila hiter razvoj v mesto.
Bogate najdbe uvrščajo Magdalensko goro med najbolj znana arheološka najdišča v Sloveniji. Arheološka dediščina, izkopana iz številnih grobov, priča o več kot tisočletni poseljenosti. Najdragocenejše in najbolj ohranjene najdbe izvirajo iz železne dobe. Okrasna ploščica, v obliki križa s konjskimi glavami je osnova za podobo grba občine Grosuplje.
Slikovita krajinska podoba Radenskega polja se je izoblikovala skozi tisočletno sožitje narave in ljudi. Na Radenskem polju najdemo vse značilne kraške pojave kot so kraški izviri, ponori in retja. Zaradi bogatega življenjskega prostora in ogroženih vrst je Radensko polje uvrščeno v evropsko ekološko omrežje Natura 2000.
Županova jama je podzemni biser slovenskega krasa. V njej najdemo vse vrste podzemeljskih kraških pojavov in oblik: kapnike vseh oblik in barv, prepade, brezna, rove, sigaste ponve. Jama nudi tudi življenjski prostor različnim vrstam živali in rastlin.
Jamo, ki je bila odkrita 1926, sestavlja sedem čudovitih dvoran.
Gradič Praproče je bil zgrajen v 13. stoletju. Gradič je sedaj v lasti rodbine Adamič, iz katere izhaja ameriški pisatelj slovenskega rodu Louis Adamič (1898 – 1951). Njegova dela (Dinamit, Orel in korenine) kažejo veliko zanimanja za obe domovini ter njuna socialna in politična vprašanja.
Sredi Radenskega polja se dviga Kopanj, eden najlepših osamelcev na Slovenskem. Na njegovem vrhu stoji Marijina cerkev, ki je zgrajena v baročnem stilu in je prvič omenjena leta 1433.
Na Kopanju je del svojega otroštva preživel največji slovenski pesnik dr. France Prešeren.
V letu 2008 je občina Grosuplje zaznamovana s tremi obletnicami, ki so in še bodo znatno popestrile kulturni utrip: 110-letnica rojstva Louisa Adamiča, 200-letnica bivanja Prešerna pri prastricu na Kopanju in 500-letnica rojstva Primoža Trubarja, ki je bil krščen v cerkvi sv. Kancijana v Škocjanu.
  		On the outskirts of the Dolenjska region, lies the commune of Grosuplje. The settlement of Magdalene mountain dates back to early Iron Age while Šmarje-Sap, the second biggest town in the commune, was for more than 700 hundred years the cultural and religious centre of the western part of the Dolenjska region.
The town of Grosuplje, the cultural and business centre of the commune, was first mentioned in written sources in 1136 Its strategic location helped Grosuplje to quickly develop into a modern town .
The Magdalene mountain area was once the site of a prehistoric settlement. The rich archaeological heritage excavated from numerous graves bears witness to the several millennia of human settlement at the Magdalene mountain. The most precious finds date back to the Iron Age. A decorative plate shaped as a four-sided cross decorated with horse's heads provided the basis of the commune's coat of arms.
The picturesque landscape of the Radensko polje has been shaped through a millennia of symbiosis of man and nature. In Radensko polje all typical karst phenomena can be found: karstic springs, sinkholes and estavelles. Due to its landscape rich in animal life and the large number of endangered species Radensko polje is part of the European ecological network Natura 2000.
The Mayor's cave is a textbook example of the karst underground.. . This underground treasure of the Slovene Karst boasts all manner of karst phenomena and shapes: stalactites and stalagmites etc. The cave, discovered in 1926 consists of seven beautiful halls.
The small castle of Praproče was built in the 13th century. The castle now belongs to the Adamič family from which the American publicist and writer of Slovenian origin, Loius Adamič (1898 -1951), stems from. His novels (Dynamite, Eagle and Roots) show a great interest in both countries and their social and political questions.
In the middle of the Radensko polje the hill of Kopanj rises up, one of the prettiest isolated residual karstic hills in Slovenia. On the top of the hill is a church, built in baroque style, dedicated to St Mary, it was first mentioned in 1433.
Dr France Prešeren, the greatest Slovenian poet spent some childhood years at Kopanj.
The Municipality of Grosuplje is marked by three anniversaries in the year 2008, which will add variety to the cultural life: the 110th anniversary of the birth of writer Louis Adamič; the 200th anniversary of the residence of the greatest Slovenian poet, France Prešeren, at Kopanj; and the 500th anniversary of the birth of Primož Trubar, who wrote the first book in the Slovene language and was baptized in the church of Sv. Kancijan in Škocjan.
 
   

 

Mestna občina Koper

 

Koper se je razvil na skalnatem otoku, ki mu Rimljani dajo ime Insula Capraria (kozji otok) in je najbolj spremenil svojo podobo od treh obalnih mest. Do današnjih dni se tu izmenja kar nekaj vladavin in držav, ki mu dajo svoj pečat in tudi svoje ime: za Rimljane je Capris; za Bizantince (sredina 6. do 8. stol.) Justinopolis; za oglejske patriarhe Caput Histrie (glava Istre), Benečani pa ime spremenijo v italijansko obliko Capodistria, katere slovenska inačica je Koper.
Najdlje vlada Beneška republika (1279-1797), ko Koper doživi močan gospodarski (trgovina, sol) in kulturni razcvet (slikarstvo, glasba). Še danes lahko občudujemo ostanke beneškega obdobja v mestni arhitekturi, ki je kljub velikim novodobnim posegom, ohranila svoj srednjeveški videz, zato je Koper vključen v združenje evropskih srednjeveških mest. Takrat je bil Koper otok, obdan z obzidjem, povezan s kopnim z lesenim mostom (proti Škocjanu), varovala ga je mogočna trdnjava – Levji grad, okrog Kopra pa so se raztezale obširne soline. Svojo vodilno vlogo začne Koper izgubljati v 18. stol., ko je Trst proglašen za svobodno pristanišče, in jo dokončno izgubi s propadom Beneške republike.
V 19. stol. pa do 1. svetovne vojne (vladavina Napoleonovega francoskega cesarstva 1806-1813 in Habsburške monarhije 1813-1918) se začne Koper spreminjati v skladu z gospodarskim in družbenim razvojem. To je čas, ko se začnejo krčiti soline in so 1912 dokončno ukinjene, mesto samo pa začne izgubljati podobo otoka. 1825 dobi drugo cestno povezavo s kopnim (Semedelska cesta), sredi 19. stol. še obalno cestno povezavo, nato morsko povezavo s Trstom in 1902 še železniško povezavo Trst-Poreč (Parenzana).
Pod Kraljevino Italijo mesto popolnoma izgubi otoški videz z bonifikacijo opuščenih solin.
Čas po drugi svetovni prinese veliko sprememb. Do dokončne postavitve meje, ko Koper s podpisom londonskega memoranduma oktobra 1954 pripade takratni Jugoslaviji, je pod jugoslovansko vojaško oblastjo v okviru cone B, najprej Julijske krajine, od septembra 1947 pa nove državne tvorbe z imenom Svobodno tržaško ozemlje. Kot del Jugoslavije se mu popolnoma spremeni narodnostna sestava, ki prinese nove arhitekturne posege tako v samem jedru Kopra kot okolici, mesto pa doživi močan industrijski razvoj – tovorno pristanišče in tovarne.
Danes je to tako industrijsko kot turistično naravnano mesto, ki razvija kopališki, športni in nakupovalni turizem. Postal pa je tudi univerzitetno mesto. 		Koper has grown on a rocky island the Romans referred to as Insula Capraria (goat’s island) and considerately changed its image in comparison to the two other costal towns. Up to the present, the city was constantly under the influence of different governments and states that left their respective marks and even names: for the Romans it was Capris; for the Byzantines (from the middle of the 6th till the 8th century) Justinopolis, for the patriarchs of Aquileia Caput Histrie (the head of Istria); the Venetians then finally changed the name into Italian – Capodistria, of which the Slovene variant is Koper.
The reign of the Venetian Republic was the longest (1279-1797). During this era, Koper flourished economically (trade, salt) and culturally (painting, music). Even now, we can behold the remains of the Venetian era in the city’s architecture that managed to preserve its medieval look despite major modern developments. Koper is therefore a member of the association of medieval European cities. In the beginning, Koper was situated on an island that was surrounded by a wall and was connected to the mainland via bridge (towards Škocjan); a magnificent fortress – the Lions Castle, defended it, and around Koper were vast saltpans. The city started to lose its leading role when Trieste became a free port and lost it ultimately with the downfall of the Venetian Republic.
From the 19th century till the Great War (the reign of Napoleon’s Empire, 1806-1813, and the Habsburg Monarchy, 1813-1918), Koper modified according to economic and social developments. In this time the saltpans began to shrink, till they were completely abandoned in the year 1912. Meanwhile, the city itself lost the shape of an island. In 1825 the second connection with the mainland was built (the Semedela Road). In the middle of the 19th century the costal road connection followed, then the sea connection with Trieste and in 1902 the railway between Trst and Poreč (Parenzana) was built.
Under the realm of Italy, when the saltpans were de-watered, the island-look finally vanished. The time after World War II was a harbinger of many changes. Up to the final definition of the post-war boarder, Koper was under Yugoslav military government within the B Zone, first known as Julijska krajina, and from September 1947 as a new state-like formation named the Free Trieste Territory. In October 1954 the London Memorandum was signed, making Koper a part of Yugoslavia. As a part of the socialist Yugoslavia, the ethnic composition of the city’s population completely changed. The following shifts also shaped the architectural image of the city centre as well as its surroundings, and the city went through a vigorous industrial development – the cargo docks and factories.
Today, Koper is an industrial and touristic city that focuses on the development of areas for bathing and sports, and shopping tourism. It is also a university city.

 

 

Mestna občina Ljubljana

 

Ljubljana je glavno mesto Slovenije z 280.000 prebivalci. Čeprav mesto neka svetovna metropola po velikosti, je prav majhnost tista, ki prestolnici Slovenije, daje nek poseben čar, nek pridih romantičnosti.

Novi duh je ulice zgodovinskega središča osvežil, ne da bi jih pokvaril. Sijaj starih meščanskih hiš ostaja nedotaknjen. Med starimi zidovi je veliko mirnega posedanja, počitkov na poti z opravka na opravek in z ogleda na ogled. Od tod se zelenje ni nikoli umaknilo. Mestni park si podaja vrbove veje z zeleno barvo Ljubljanice v starem mestu in nedaleč stran, se v strogem centru izza mestne hiše dvigne gozdnato pobočje grajskega hriba. Ljubljanski grad s čudovitim razgledom nad mestom, je osrednja mestna romarska točka.

Legenda trdi, da so temelje Ljubljane postavili Argonavti, ki so po reki Ljubljanici z zlatim runom bežali iz Črnega proti Jadranskemu morju. Arheologi pravijo, da so korenine mesta v tri tisoč let starih plasteh.

Sprehod čez Tromostovje v staro mestno jedro vas popelje mimo spomenika Franceta Prešerna, romantičnega pesnika, ki ga s pročelja opazuje Primicova Julija. Gre za najlepše upesnjeno zgodbo tega mesta. Pečat Ljubljani je dal tudi arhitekt Jože Plečnik, ki je oblikoval novo podobo mesta.

Vsako nedeljo dopoldne lahko v Ljubljani na bolšjem trgu doživite nostalgijo zgodb minulih življenj. Sicer pa je Ljubljana mesto študirajoče mladine. Zaznamujejo jo sprevodi maturantov, obujanje starih običajev (peki, čolnarji) in spominski pohodi okoli mesta. Ožje središče mesta so začeli kulturno oživljati sredi sedemdesetih let. Danes v njem živijo številni lokali in kulturne prireditve. Lahko rečemo, da gre za eno najlepših evropskih prestolnic. Staro mestno jedro pa je njeno srce.
 

Ljubljana is the capital city of Slovenia and has a population of 280,000. Although the city cannot compare with major metropolises in terms of size, its smallness gives Slovenia's capital a special charm and a certain hint of the romantic.

A new spirit has revitalised the streets of Ljubljana's Old Town without spoiling it. The splendour of the old town houses has remained untouched. Within the old walls there are many quiet places to sit and rest on the way from one errand to another, or from one sight to another. Greenery has never left the city. The branches of the willows in the city park meet the green water of the River Ljubljanica as it flows through the Old Town and, not far away, in the very centre, the wooded slopes of the castle hill rise up behind the Town Hall. The castle itself offers a wonderful view of the city and is the city's main tourist attraction.

According to legend the foundations of Ljubljana were laid by the Argonauts, who made their escape with the Golden Fleece along the Ljubljanica from the Black Sea towards the Adriatic. Archaeologists claim that the roots of the city lie in strata that are three thousand years old.

A stroll across the Triple Bridge into the Old Town leads you past the statue of France Prešeren, the Romantic poet, who is observed from a nearby façade by Julija Primic. This is the city's most beautiful story set to verse. Another man to leave his mark on Ljubljana was the architect Jože Plečnik, who designed the city's new appearance.

Every Sunday you can experience the nostalgia of past lives at Ljubljana's flea market. Ljubljana is also a city of students. Characteristic events include traditional school-leavers processions, the revival of old customs (bakers, boatmen) and the march along the memorial trail around the city. The cultural revival of the city centre began in the mid-1970s. Today the area is home to numerous bars and restaurants and hosts numerous cultural events. It may be said that Ljubljana is one of the most beautiful capital cities in Europe. And the Old Town is its heart.
 

   

 

Mestna občina Maribor

 

DOBRODOŠLI V MARIBORU, MESTU PRILOŽNOSTI !

Z veseljem Vas pozdravljam v Mariboru, univerzitetnem mestu, gospodarskem, kulturnem in upravnem središču, srcu slovenske Štajerske. Radi bi vam predstavili naše mesto, ki ga na jugu obdaja Pohorje, s svojimi gozdovi, planjami, in smučišči. Tu je najvzhodnejši del slovenskih Alp in mesto se ponaša z nazivom Alpsko mesto leta 2000. Na zahodu mesta se s svojimi skrivnostnimi potmi začenja Kozjak. Vinorodni mariborski griči na severu mesta varujejo Slovenske gorice. Tu se začenja Dravsko polje na vzhodu in Dravska dolina na zahodu. Reka Drava, poleg gričev eden izmed pomembnih razlogov za nastanek mesta, tu preide iz alpskega v panonski svet.
Mesto se ponaša z najstarejšo trto na svetu, ki raste že dobra štiri stoletja v starem mestnem jedru ob Dravi in je močno zaznamovala življenje mesta. Stari del mesta Lent že dobro desetletje privlači številne obiskovalce od blizu in daleč na enega najbolj znanih evropskih poletnih festivalov. Mariborsko Pohorje postane pozimi, ob vstopu v novo leto svetovno smučarsko središče, v katerega se zgrinjajo navdušenci zimskih športov, na njegovih strmih pobočjih, ki segajo na rob mesta. Na svetovnem pokalu za Zlato lisico pa se pomerijo najboljše smučarke tega sveta.
Mesto je pomembno izobraževalno (samostojna univerza, široka mreža višjih, srednjih in osnovnih šol ter predšolske vzgoje), zdravstveno (Univerzitetni klinični center Maribor, gosta socialna mreža), kulturno (poklicna opera, balet, lutkovno gledališče, muzejska in knjižnična dejavnost, razvejana ljubiteljska kultura) in športno (vrhunske prireditve, vrhunski šport in rekreativne dejavnosti) središče.
Maribor je mesto možnosti in priložnosti na mnogih področjih ter bo kot Evropska prestolnica kulture 2012 in ob Zimski univerzijadi 2013 doživelo še dodaten razcvet tako na kulturnem, športnem, gospodarskem in turističnem področju. Nekdaj največje industrijsko mesto dobiva novo podobo, ki prinaša dodaten razvoj in nove priložnosti!
 

WELCOME TO MARIBOR, A CITY OF OPPORTUNITIES!

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Maribor, a university town and the economic, cultural and administrative centre and heart of Slovenia's Štajerska region. I would like to present our city, which is bounded to the south by the Pohorje massif, with its forests, plateaux and ski resorts. This is the easternmost part of the Slovenian Alps and in 2000 the city proudly bore the title of Alpine City of the Year. The Kozjak Hills, with their secret paths, lie just to the west of the city. The vineyard-covered hills to the north of the city mark the beginning of the hill region known as Slovenske Gorice. To the east is the Drava Plain and, to the west, the Drava Valley. The River Drava, along with the hills one of the most important factors that led to the founding of the city, passes here from the Alpine world to that of the Pannonian Plain.
The city boasts the oldest vine in the world: for over four centuries it has been growing in the city's old quarter by the Drava and has characterised the life of the city. For well over a decade the city's riverside Lent district has been drawing great numbers of visitors from near and far to one of the best-known European summer festivals. In winter, at the start of the new year, the Maribor Pohorje becomes a world ski centre and its steep slopes, which reach the edge of the city, are flocked with winter sports enthusiasts. The finest women skiers in the world compete for the Golden Fox Trophy, a World Cup event.
The city is an important centre of education (with a university and a broad network of colleges of higher education, secondary and primary schools and pre-school centres), of health (the Maribor University Medical Centre and a developed social care network), of culture (opera and ballet companies, a puppet theatre, museums and libraries and a lively amateur cultural scene) and of sport (world-class events, top-level sport and recreational activities).
Maribor is a city of possibilities and opportunities in many spheres and, as European Capital of Culture in 2012 and the host city of the 2013 Winter Universiade, is ready to reach even greater heights in the fields of culture, sport, economy and tourism. Once Slovenia's largest industrial city, Maribor is gaining a new image that brings additional development and new opportunities!
 

   

 

Občina Moravske toplice

 

 Samo streljaj od vrveža sveta vas pričakuje oaza zdravja in miru. Njene globine skrivajo neprecenljivo črno termalno vodo, ki je osnova za razvoj turizma. Poživljajoča in zdravilna voda Term 3000 (več kot 5000 m² vodnih površin) in Term Vivat (okrog 2000 m² vodnih površin) privre iz globin od 1175 do 1467 metrov s temperaturo 72 stopinj celzija. V občini Moravske Toplice skušamo izkoristiti naravne danosti in bogato kulturno izročilo ter ju povezati z razvojem turističnih produktov, ki bodo zadovoljevali različne skupine gostov.
Razgibana pokrajina, ki jo zaznamujeta ravninski svet ob Muri in gričevje Goričkega, omogoča užitke rekreativcem vseh generacij. Po občini smo speljali številne tematske kolesarske in pohodniške poti (117 km označenih rekreativnih, tematskih in poti za nordijsko hojo, okrog 200 km označenih kolesarskih poti). Z razvijanjem doživetij, ki temeljijo na tradicionalni kulinariki, odličnem vinu iz naših vinogradov in ohranjenem rokodelstvu, želimo dodatno popestriti ponudbo. Vabljeni torej v naš prekmurski raj domačnosti, vir zdravja in miru.

Moravske Toplice (do leta 1984 Moravci) so z nastankom novih občin v letu 1994 postale središče občine, ki šteje okrog 6.500 prebivalcev v 28 naseljih in meri 144 km². Občina Moravske Toplice zavzema zemljepisni prostor v osrednjem in vzhodnem Prekmurju. V njej se združijo trije svetovi levega brega reke Mure: Ravensko, Dolinsko in Goričko; prva dva ravninska predela veže z gričevnatim goričkim svetom, ki je del varovanega območja Krajinski park Goričko, ledenodobna terasa. Občina Moravske Toplice ima svoje posebnosti: termo mineralno vodo, bogata je s kulturnozgodovinskimi in umetnostnimi spomeniki, ter različnimi verstvi, saj poleg evangeličanov, katoličanov in kalvincev živijo v njej tudi pripadniki binkoštne verske skupnosti, zanimiva pa je tudi zaradi narodnostne raznolikosti, saj v njej živijo Slovenci in Madžari, tudi nekaj družin Romov.

Za trženje in promocijo turistične ponudbe ter informiranje obiskovalcev skrbi TIC Moravske Toplice s turistično pisarno v Moravskih Toplicah in podružnico v Selu.
Pokrajinsko tradicijo lahko spoznate z obiskom katere od etnoloških turističnih prireditev, kot so: lüpanje kukorce, trenje lanu in preja, ročna košnja trave, lüpanje bučnega semena, izdelke domačih obrti pa lahko tudi najdete na »etno senjih«, sejmih, ki jih pogosto prirejajo v samem središču Moravskih Toplic. Tradicionalne prekmurske obrti lahko spoznate z ogledom mlina v Berkovcih, preizkusite se lahko v lončarjenju v Lončarski vasi Filovci ali spoznate medičarsko obrt v Ratkovcih ter čebelarsko obrt v Ivanjševcih. Ljubiteljem kulturne dediščine priporočamo obisk romanske rotunde v Selu, v kateri najdete gotske stenske slikarije, vabi vas tudi Plečnikova mojstrovina v Bogojini, prav tako tudi gotska cerkev Sv. Martina v Martjancih. Moravske Toplice so odlično izhodišče za obisk drugih turističnih znamenitosti Pomurja. Morda vas privlači duh zgodovine? Okusite jo s potepanjem po prekmurskih gradovih, pri nas najdete ostanke dvorca Matzenau v Prosenjakovcih. Zdrav duh v zdravem telesu krepite na številnih organiziranih pohodih v občini in pokrajini, med drugim tudi z udeležbo na tradicionalnem jesenskem Martinovem pohodu in Pohodu po Sladki poti v mesecu marcu.
Pri nas najdete pravi kulinarični raj s prekmurskimi specialitetami, kot so prekmurska gibanica, bograč, posolanka, koline z bujto repo, mešanica.

Just a shot away from the bustle of the world, an oasis of health and peace is waiting for you. Its depths harbour priceless black thermal water, the basis of tourist development here. The invigorating and healing waters of Terme 3000 (over 5000 m2 of pool areas) and Terme Vivat (around 2000 m2 of pool areas) well up from a depth of 1175 to 1467 metres at a temperature of 72 degrees Celsius. In the Moravske Toplice municipality, we strive to make the best of our natural resources and rich cultural tradition and link them to the development of tourist products that will meet the needs of various visitor groups.
The variegated landscape, characterized by the flatland along the River Mura and the hills of Goričko, offers recreational enjoyment to all the generations. Several themed cycling and hiking trails run through the municipality (117 km of marked recreational, themed and Nordic walking trails and around 200 km of marked cycling trails). By developing experiences based on traditional cuisine, excellent wine from our vineyards and preserved handicrafts, we aim to supplement the variety of our service. Welcome to our paradise of homeliness in Prekmurje: a source of health and peace.

With the new organisation of municipalities in 1994, Moravske Toplice (called Moravci until 1984) became the centre of the municipality that counts around 6500 inhabitants in 28 towns and villages and measures 144 km2. Geographically, the Moravske Toplice Municipality is located in central and eastern Prekmurje. The three areas on the left bank of the River Mura converge here: Ravensko, Dolinsko and Goričko; the first two flat regions meet with the hilly country of Goričko, which is part of the protected area of the Goričko Landscape Park, a glacial terrace. What makes the Moravske Toplice Municipality special is its thermal mineral water, its richness of cultural, historical and art heritage, as well as religious denomination: besides Evangelicals, Catholics and Calvinists, it is also home to members of the Pentecostal religious community. Another interesting aspect is its ethnic diversity, being home to both Slovenians and Hungarians, as well as some Roma families.

Tourist service marketing and promotion and tourist information is managed by the Moravske Toplice TIC, with a tourist office in Moravske Toplice and a branch in Selo.
You can get to know the traditions of the region by visiting a tourist ethnological event such as: shucking corn, scutching and spinning flax, manual grass cutting or pumpkin seed husking, and you can also find handicraft products at "ethno-fairs", which are often held in the very centre of Moravske Toplice. You can learn about the traditional crafts of Prekmurje with a visit to the watermill in Berkovci, try your hand at pottery in the Filovci Pottery Village or acquaint yourself with the crafts of honey-bread making in Ratkovci and bee-keeping in Ivanjševci. Fans of cultural heritage should visit the Romanic rotunda in Selo, where you can find Gothic wall paintings, or Plečnik's masterpiece in Bogojina and the Gothic Church of St. Martin in Martjanci. Moravske Toplice is a great starting point for visits to other tourist features of Prekmurje. Are you drawn to the spirit of history? Experience it by rambling through the castles of Prekmurje: you will find the remains of the Matzenau mansion in Prosenjakovci. Preserve a healthy mind in a healthy body by joining the numerous hikes organised in the municipality and the region, including the traditional autumn St. Martin Hike and the Sweet Trail Hike in March.
You will find us a genuine culinary paradise with our Prekmurje specialities, such as the Prekmurje gibanica (rich cheese cake), bograč (goulash), posolanka (cheese pie), pork sausages with turnip and mešanica (hotch-potch). 

 

Mestna občina Murska Sobota

  

V osrčju Prekmurja, sredi valovitih polj, vpeta med stičišča Slovenije, Avstrije, Hrvaške in Madžarske, se razprostira mestna občina Murska Sobota. Slovenskemu ozemlju je bilo mesto priključeno leta 1919, njegov izvor pa sega daleč pred srednji vek, ko je Murska Sobota dobila mestne pravice.
Mesto zaznamujejo številna verstva. Dve večinski veroizpovedi, vsaka s svojo cerkvijo, sta katoliška s stolno cerkvijo sv. Nikolaja in evangeličanska cerkev. Mogočen Spomenik zmage v središču mesta simbolizira skupni boj in zmago nad fašizmom. Sredi mestnega parka stoji renesančni dvorec z baročnim portalom, ki ga Trubarjev drevored povezuje z vhodom v evangeličansko cerkev. V dvorcu danes domujeta Pokrajinski muzej, ki se ponaša s prestižnim nazivom Evropski muzej leta 1999, in Mladinski informativni in kulturni klub, družbeno in kulturno središče mladih. Poleg tega je dvorec prizorišče različnih kulturnih in družabnih dogodkov, ki se vsak junij s festivalom Soboški dnevi preselijo v mestni park in dalje na Trg kulture. Ob poletnih koncih tedna se odvija raznolik program Soboškega poletja prav na tem trgu, ki je dobil ime tudi zaradi dveh priljubljenih hramov kulture, ki ga obkrožata, Galerije ter Pokrajinske in študijske knjižnice.
Zanimivost Murske Sobote so kramarski sejmi, ki jim središče mesta odpre vrata vsak prvi ponedeljek v mesecu. Največja in najbolj obiskana sta Trejzino in Miklošovo senje. Umetno soboško jezero vabi na ribiške piknike, športno-rekreacijski center Fazanerija na trim, kopanje, tenis, ali na tekme na nogometnem stadionu, hotel Diana pa v svoj termalno-rekreacijski center.
V naselju Rakičan je graščina iz 17. stoletja postala izobraževalno in raziskovalno središče, hkrati pa je tu center konjeniškega kluba. Le malo dalje se razprostira športno letališče, znano po letalskih in balonarskih prvenstvih. Od tu se lahko s panoramskim poletom dvignemo nad prostrano ravnino pokrajine, pod katero se pretakajo vrelci termalne vode.
Gostoljubnost Prekmurja izhaja iz zemlje in njenih bogatih darov, ki s pomočjo pridnih rok domačinov zna pripraviti prave pojedine ob domačem kruhu, vinu, šunki, bograču, pogačah in slastni gibanici, ki se jim je nemogoče upreti. 		In the midst of the Prekmurje region, between vast fields that connect Slovenia, Austria, Croatia and Hungary, spans the Municipality Murska Sobota. While the town was joined to the Slovene territory in 1919, its roots go far back into the Middle Ages, when Murska Sobota received its town privileges.
One of the city's key features is the religious variety. The two main religions, each with its church: the catholic St. Nikolai cathedral and the Evangelical church. The mighty Victory Monument in the town’s centre represents the mutual fight and victory against fascism. In the heart of the park stands a beautiful renaissance manor with a baroque façade. The manor is connected to the entrance of the Evangelical church via Trubar’s avenue, planted with different trees. It holds the Regional Museum (European museum of the year 1999) and the Youth Information and Culture Society, a social and cultural centre for youths. What is more, different cultural and social performances take place at the mansion. In June, the Sobota Days Festival events move to the town park and the neighbouring Trg kulture square. During summer weekends, a versatile programme within the Sobota Summer fills the above-mentioned square that got its name thanks to the encircling cultural centres: the Gallery and the Regional and Study Library.
Interesting features of Murska Sobota are the flea markets. They flood the town’s centre every first Monday of the month. The biggest and most visited are the markets Trejzino and Miklošovo senje. The man-made lake hosts fishing picnics, at the sports and recreational centre Fazanerija you can jog, swim, play tennis or watch and play football matches, while the hotel Diana incorporates a thermal and recreational centre.
In the settlement Rakičan is a mansion from the 17th century that was transformed into an educational and research facility, while serving as the seat of the equestrian society as well. In the immediate vicinity is also the air field, known for its ballooning and flight championships. From here, you can take a panoramic balloon ride and enjoy the vistas of Prekmurje’s extensive plains, perforated with springs of thermal water.
The source of the hospitality of Prekmurje’s people is the earth and the richness of its fruits. Out of these, with some helping hands, feasts emerge with homemade bread, wine, ham, Bograč – a Gulash-like soup, different pastries and the exquisite Gibanica layered cake that no one can resist.

 

Mestna občina Novo mesto

  

Dolenjska je razgibana, valovita pokrajina blagih tisočerih oblik in barv na jugovzhodu Slovenije. V osrčju Dolenjske se vije reka Krka, zelena lepotica, ponos te dežele. Ob njej so se ustavili prvi naseljenci že tisočletja pred nami. Številni rodovi so se tu zadržali vse življenje. Jemali so darove iz svoje okolice in vračali vanjo dela svojih rok in misli. Marsikatera sled je za vedno tonila v pozabo, nekatere ponovno odkrivamo, obstoječim pa vedno znova dodajamo nove. In tako je tudi z našim mestom. Vedno znova novo, čeprav že staro Novo mesto.
Na razglednem griču Marofu, ki leži nasproti mestnega polotoka, je bilo utrjeno prazgodovinsko naselje v prvem tisočletju pred Kristusom. V neposredni bližini so tri grobišča iz tega časa. Večletna arheološka raziskovanja vedno znova potrjujejo in dokončno uvrščajo Novo mesto med pomembnejša kulturna središča v tem času v Evropi. V bližini mesta je potekala pomembna rimska prometna pot iz Ljubljane proti Sisku. V antičnem obdobju so svoje sledi tu pustili tudi Rimljani.
Vojvoda Rudolf IV. Habsburški je 7. aprila 1365 ustanovil mesto, ki ga je imenoval po sebi Rudolfswerth, a so ga ljudje že od vsega začetka imenovali Novo mesto, ker je bilo pač na tem prostoru res novo.
Obrt in trgovina sta bili osnovni gospodarski dejavnosti v prvih stoletjih in sta mestu omogočili razcvet. Obetaven razvoj so v 16. in 17. stoletju prekinili požari, kuga, kmečki upori in Turki, ki sicer mesta niso zavzeli, povzročili pa so preusmeritev trgovskih poti, pešanje gospodarske moči in stalno grožnjo v deželi.
Do nedavnega je bil Glavni ali Veliki trg središče vsega dogajanja v mestu. Mestno hišo in najlepše meščanske hiše najdemo prav tu na prostornem, lijakasto oblikovanem trgu. Značilnost Glavnega trga so arkade v pritličjih in prvih nadstropjih hiš ter atrijskih dvoriščih. Mestna hiša je bila sedež mestne oblasti, na čelu katere je bil mestni sodnik, od 19. stoletja dalje pa župan. Prva je bila zgrajena leta 1720, a so jo leta 1903 porušili in na istem mestu zgradili današnjo. Na pročelju je grb Novega mesta s podobo ustanovitelja Rudolfa IV. Habsburškega. Pred mestno hišo stojita doprsna kipa pisatelja Janeza Trdine in pesnika Dragotina Ketteja, čigar verzi iz njegove pesmi Na trgu so vklesani na vodnjaku.
Na begu pred Turki so se leta 1472 v mestu naselili frančiškani, o čemer priča napis nad vhodnimi samostanskimi vrati. V naslednjih letih so zgradili FRANČIŠKANSKO cerkev in samostansko poslopje, ki sta bili do danes deležni več dozidav in prezidav. Samostan hrani najstarejšo knjižnico v Novem mestu in tri renesančne nagrobnike. Zelo pomembno vlogo so imeli frančiškani pri izobraževanju mladih. Zaupano jim je bilo vodenje gimnazije, ki jo je ustanovila cesarica Marija Terezija leta 1746. V ta namen, je bila poleg samostana zgrajena gimnazijska stavba, v kateri sedaj pridobivajo glasbeno znanje učenci Glasbene šole Marjana Kozine. Leta 1912 so pod Marofom zgradili novo gimnazijo, kjer se nadaljuje večstoletna tradicija gimnazijskega izobraževanja mladih.
Življenje mesta je življenje njenih prebivalcev; sestavljeno iz veselja in žalosti. Druga svetovna vojna je leta 1941 grobo posegla v vsakdanji utrip mesta in njenih prebivalcev. Novo mesto je bilo zaradi bombnih napadov močno poškodovano, še bolj boleče pa so bile človeške izgube. Vendar kot teče Krka vedno znova naprej, tako tudi življenje ljudi ob njej. V drugi polovici 20. stoletja je Novo mesto zelo spremenilo svojo podobo. To je čas nastanka številnih industrijskih obratov in pospešene urbanizacije. V teh letih so bile ustanovljene nove šolske, zdravstvene in kulturne ustanove v mestu.
Nihalo na uri se ne utrudi, prav tako ne reka Krka. Vedno znova se vrača, vendar vedno malce drugačna. Verjamemo, da odnaša malodušje in vedno znova prinaša svežino misli in vedro razpoloženje. Med potepanjem po mestnih ulicah boste z odprtimi očmi in srci morda tudi sami začutili lepoto in posebnost našega vedno znova Novega mesta. 		The Dolenjska region is a versatile, hilly country of mild shapes and colours in the southwest of Slovenia. Through Dolenjska flows the river Krka – oftentimes referred to as the green beauty and the pride of the region. Along the river, settlers lived already thousands of years ago. Many generations stayed here their whole lives. They took what nature gave them and repaid with hard work of their hands and minds. Some traces have been lost forever, but some are being found again and added to the existing ones. Our town has a similar story. The old, always discovered anew.
On the vista point Marof, across the town peninsula, stood a prehistoric settlement in the first millennium BC. In the immediate vicinity are three burial grounds from that time. A long tradition of archaeological excavation puts Novo mesto alongside of important cultural centres of Europe. Close to the city ran the important road connection between Ljubljana and Sisak. Thanks to that, even Roman traces can be found.
Rudolf IV, Duke of Austria, founded the town on 7th April 1365. He named it Rudolfswerth, though people almost immediately started calling it Novo mesto, meaning New City, due to the simple fact that it was new.
Small crafts and trade were the main economic activities in the first centuries and enabled the town to flourish. The promising development was halted in the 16th and 17th century because of fires, the plague, peasant uprisings and the Turks – they did not capture the city, but they caused an alteration of trade routes and the decline of economic power, and posed a constant threat to the country.
Up until recently, the Glavni or Veliki trg square was the centre of all liveliness in the town. The city hall and the most interesting bourgeoisie houses can be found on this funnel-shaped square. The main features of Glavni trg square are the ground level and first floor arcades of houses and atriums. The town hall was the seat of the town government, whose leader was the town judge; in the 19th century, he was replaced by the mayor. The first town hall was built in 1720, but demolished in 1903. On the same spot today’s town hall was erected. The façade carries the Novo mesto coat of arms with the likeness of Rudolf IV. In front of the town hall are two busts of writer Janez Trdina and poet Dragotin Kette, whose verses form the poem “At the Square” are carved into the fountain.
The engraving above the entrance to the Franciscan monastery proves that the Franciscans settled in Novo mesto while fleeing before the Turks. In the following years, they built the Franciscan Church and the main building of the monastery. Both were augmented and rebuilt many times. The monastery holds the oldest library in Novo mesto and three renaissance tombstones. The Franciscans played an important role in the education of youths. They managed the gymnasium that was founded by Maria Theresa of Austria in 1746. For this purpose, a special building was erected near the monastery, in which today’s young pupils learn about musical education at the Music School Marjan Kozina. In 1912, beneath Marof, a new gymnasium was built. Here the long lasting tradition of gymnasial education of youths is continued.
The life of the town is the life of its inhabitants; it consists of good times and bad times. In the year 1941, the Second World War has brutally interfered with everyday life of the town and the people. Even though the air raids damaged the town extensively, the human losses were even harder to take. But as the river Krka unfailingly flows on between its banks, so did the life of people living at her sides. In the second half of the 20th century, Novo mesto’s image changed. It was the time of mass construction of industrial plants and the promotion of urbanization. New educational, health and cultural establishments were founded. Like the pendulum of a clock, so does the river Krka never get tired. It constantly returns, but always a bit different. We believe that it carries away despondence and consistently delivers freshness of thought and good mood. Ambling along the town streets, with your eyes and hearts opened, you too may feel the beauty and uniqueness of our newly evolving New City (Novo mesto).

 

Mestna občina Ptuj

 

Ptuj - zidana kronika na križišču cest, ki so povezovale sončno Italijo s prostranstvi Panonske nižine ter alpske doline s širjavami Balkana - začenja svoje prvo poglavje v davnini mlajše kamene dobe. Že ob nastanku mu je bila zaradi pomembne lege določena usoda, da je bil večkrat vpleten v zgodovinske dogodke evropskega pomena. Ta usoda je Ptuj, sicer naše najslikovitejše celinsko mesto, obdarila tudi z najbogatejšo dediščino preteklosti. Naravne danosti so povzročile, da je ob rečnem prehodu jantarske poti zrasla prometno, strateško in gospodarsko pomembna naselbina, ki je odigrala opazno zgodovinsko vlogo tako na področju politike in uprave kot na področju umetnosti in kulture.
Na tem prostoru so se v pozni železni dobi naselili Kelti, sooblikovalci kasnejšega noriškega kraljestva, ki so prostor naselbine postopoma urbano organizirali. Vendar pa so v njihovo nastajajočo državno tvorbo začeli že kmalu po začetku zadnjega stoletja pred našim štetjem prenikati rimski politični in gospodarski vplivi, ki so se ob koncu stoletja spremenili v bolj ali manj mirno izpeljano zasedbo. Rimljani so nasproti staroselske naselbine na južnem bregu reke postavili vojaško taborišče, ki so mu namenili izhodiščno vlogo pri osvajanju zahodne Panonije. Zaradi teh dogodkov in sprememb, ki so jih spremljale, je stara naselbina ob rastočem trgovskem prometu zaživela z novo močjo.
Rimski pisci, začenši s Tacitom, večkrat omenjajo Ptuj v zvezi s pomembnimi dogodki, segajočimi od izvolitve Vespazijana za cesarja leta 69 pa do omembe političnega delovanja deda poslednjega zahodnorimskega cesarja Romula, odstavljenega leta 467. S temi zapisi se je začelo zgodovinsko obdobje Ptuja, ki je okoli leta 103 postal samoupravna enota COLONIA ULPIA TRAIANA POETOVIO, ki je dosegla svoj največji obseg v 2. in 3. stoletju ter bila leta 450 požgana od Hunov. Vendar je mesto to katastrofo preživelo ter vsaj občasno ohranjalo utrjeni prehod čez Dravo vse do okoli leta 570, ko so ga zasedli Avari in zadnji priseljenci Slovani, ki so skupaj z njegovo naselbinsko tradicijo prevzeli tudi njegovo ime. Njihova poselitev je bila tako intenzivna, da se Ptuj še danes ponaša z najpomembnejšim zgodnjesrednjeveškim najdiščem na Slovenskem, katerega gradivo obsega časovno obdobje med 8. in 11. stoletjem.Z uničenjem avarske države ob koncu 8. stoletja sta Podravje in z njim Ptuj prešla v okvir frankovske države. Zaradi tradicionalnega in zelo pomembnega rečnega prehoda je takoj po frankovski zasedbi ponovno zaživela naselbina, ki je v letih med 840. in 874. pripadla spodnjepanonskima mejnima grofijama - knezoma Pribini in Koclju, med 874. in 890. pa je postopoma prešla v imunitetno last salzburške nadškofije.
V letih med 977. in 1555. je bilo mesto v lasti salzburških nadškofov, nato pa v lasti deželnega kneza. Ptuj je leta 1487 opisal ogrski kancler Paolo Santonino: "Pa vendar ima ptujski okraj ob dobrih letinah na pretek kruha, vina in mesa, saj dobiš ta čas dva rejena junca za štiri dukate, dva hlebca kruha, lahkega, rahlega kot goba in belega, da boljšega nisem videl nikjer drugje, pa prodajajo za sold."
Izguba funkcije obmejne utrdbe, veliki požari v letih 1684, 1705, 1710 in 1744 ter druge ujme so Ptuj dokončno spremenile v povprečno podeželsko mesto. Vendar pa mesto svoje veljave ni samo izgubljalo, saj je doživljalo tudi občasne vzpone. To se je zgodilo po letu 1740 v zvezi s povečano trgovino z osvobojeno Madžarsko in Slavonijo. Postopoma so se v mestu udomačili šolstvo, vojaštvo, usnjarska industrija, vinska veletrgovina, železniški in cestni promet ter začetki smotrne turistične dejavnosti. 		Ptuj can be considered as a chronicle made of stones on the crossroads of paths that connected sunny Italy with the vastness of the Panonia lowland and the valleys of the Alps with the extensive regions of the Balkans. Its first chapter begins in the early Stone Age. Because of its important location, the town was destined to be involved in Europe’s history. Such destiny gave Ptuj – the most picturesque town in continental Slovenia – an enormously rich heritage. The natural conditions at the river crossing of the Amber road resulted in the foundation of an important traffic, strategic and economic settlement that played a noticeable role in the filed of politics, governance and culture.
In the late Iron Age, this region was inhabited by Celts, the later founders of the Noricum kingdom. They gradually urbanised the settlement community. But their federation-in-formation was soon after the last century BC began undermined by the political and economical influences of the Romans. The consequences were evident by the end of the century when the Romans more or less peacefully occupied the whole region. Opposite of the old settlement, on the left riverbank, the Romans built a military camp, from where further conquering of west Pannonia went underway. Such events and changes enabled the old settlement to reinvent itself with new strength.
Roman authors, beginning with Tacitus, mention Ptuj several times in connection with crucial events – from the election of Vespasian for emperor in 69 to the mentioning of the grandfather of the last West Roman emperor Romulus, who was removed from office in 467. These writings mark the beginning of Ptuj’s historical period. In 103 the town was made the self-governing unit COLONIA ULPIA TRAIANA POETOVIO that reached its maximum size in the 2nd and 3rd century and was burned down by the Huns in 450. But the town survived the catastrophe and managed to periodically maintain the fortified crossing of the river Drava up to the year 570, when the Avars occupied the town and when the last settlers, the Slaves, arrived. They took over the settlement’s traditions and its name. Their colonisation was so intense that Ptuj still boasts with the most important archaeological site of the early Middle Ages. The findings cover a time span form the 8th till the 11th century. With the destruction of the Avar state-formation at the end of the 8th century, the Podravje region and Ptuj, come under the wing of the Franks. Due to the traditional and highly important river crossing, soon after the occupation of the Franks, the settlement was again revived. Between 840 and 874, Ptuj was the property of the two Under Pannonian margraves – the dukes Pribin and Kocelj, between 874 and 890 Ptuj gradually came under the diocese of Salzburg.
In the years between 977 and 1555, the town remained the property of the Salzburg archbishops, later of the county duke. In 1487, the Aquileian chancellor Paolo Santonino wrote about Ptuj: “But if the harvest in the Ptuj area was good, there is an abundance of bread, wine and meat; you get two well-fed bullocks for 4 ducats and two loafs of bread – light and soft as a mushrooms, and so white that I have never seen something alike – for a penny”.
The loss of the function as a border fortification, the great fires of 1684, 1705, 1710 and 1744, and other natural disasters have finally transformed Ptuj into an average county town. But the slow decline was also interrupted by occasional upturns, like after the year 1740 when trade with freed Hungary and Slavonia flourished. Gradually, the town’s educational system, military, lather industry, wine wholesale, railway and road traffic, and first proper tourism activities evolved and became the main economic drivers.

 

Občina Sevnica

 

Sevnica, ki se nahaja na levem bregu Save, je od Ljubljane oddaljena 100, od Celja pa 40 kilometrov. Prek mesta potekata javni avtobusni in železniški promet, ki omogočata večinoma dobre povezave z Ljubljano, Krškim in Zagrebom, pa tudi Novim mestom, Celjem in Mariborom.
Sevnica je bila prvič pisno omenjena leta 1275 z nemškim imenom Liechtenwald. Kraj so skozi zgodovino prizadele številne nesreče – požari, kuga, uporni kmetje in turški vpadi, a se je vseskozi ohranjal in tudi razvijal. Trške pravice je naselje pod istoimenskim gradom dobilo leta 1322, pravico do prirejanja sejmov leta 1513, do letnih živinskih sejmov pa leta 1783. Leta 1866 je bila tu ustanovljena prva čitalnica v Posavju, tri leta kasneje pa je bil tu tudi tabor, ki je podpiral zamisli Zedinjene Slovenije. Leta 1862 je bila tod speljana železniška proga. Okrog postaje, ki je zaradi pomanjkanja prostora dobila svoje mesto izven starega dela naselja, je začel že pred prvo svetovno vojno rasti novejši del mesta. Med drugo svetovno vojno je bilo tako kot drugod v Posavju veliko ljudi na silo odvedenih z domov. Mnogi življenja v izgnanstvu in koncentracijskih taboriščih niso preživeli. Sevnica ima danes okrog 5.000 prebivalcev in je pomembno lokalno središče, ki zlasti v tovarnah tekstilne in lesne industrije zaposluje številne ljudi iz bližnje in daljne okolice. Mesto se čedalje bolj spaja z Boštanjem, naseljem na nasprotnem, desnem bregu reke Save.
V starem mestnem jedru, katerega osrednji del je Glavni trg, je ohranjenih več starih stavb, ki nemo pričajo o preteklosti naselja. Na Glavnem trgu stoji manjši Spodnji sevniški grad, ki nosi letnico 1613. V njem je danes sedež občinske uprave. Tu stojijo tudi obnovljeno znamenje s kipom sv. Martina iz 17. stoletja, neoromanska cerkev sv. Nikolaja in cerkev sv. Florjana iz leta 1443. 		Sevnica is located on the left bank of the Sava river. The distance to Ljubljana is 100 km and to Celje 40 km. Passing through the town are public bus and rail services, which offer good transport links with Ljubljana, Krško, and Zagreb, as well as with Novo mesto, Celje, and Maribor.
Sevnica was first mentioned in writing in 1275 with the German name Liechtenwald. Throughout history, the town has been afflicted by numerous disasters – fires, plague, peasant revolts and Turkish invasions, but it always endured and continued developing. The settlement under the homonymous castle was granted market town rights in 1322, received the rights to host markets in 1513, and the rights to host cattle markets in 1783. In 1866, the town saw the opening of the first reading club in the Posavje region, while a rally in support of the ideas of the United Slovenia movement was held here three years later. The first railway tracks arrived in 1862. Shortly before the First World War, the new part of town gradually started growing around the railroad station, which was relocated outside the old town due to lack of space. During the Second World War, many people in both Sevnica and the wider region of Posavje were forcefully hauled off from their homes. A large part of them never returned from exile and from the concentration camps. Sevnica today has about 5000 inhabitants and is an important local hub, employing a large number of people, especially in the timber and textile industry. The town is gradually merging with the neighboring town of Boštanj, situated across the river Sava on the right bank.
Several old buildings testify silently to the town's past in the old part of town with the Glavni trg main square. The Glavni trg square is also occupied by the smaller Lower Sevnica castle, dated 1613, which up to this day remains the seat of the municipal government. Other notable structures include the renovated monument with a statue of St. Martin from the 17th century, the Neo-Romanesque Church of St. Nicholas, and the Church of St. Florian, dated 1443.

 

Mestna občina Slovenj Gradec

  

Slovenj Gradec je upravno, gospodarsko in kulturno središče Mislinjske doline. Svoje zavetje si je našel med Pohorjem in zadnjo predstavnico Karavank - Uršljo goro. Poznan je po številnih umetnikih in prireditvah, pa tudi po tem, da je med najhladnejšimi mesti v Sloveniji. Središče kulturnega življenja je še vedno mestno jedro, ki je ohranilo neokrnjeno podobo iz preteklosti. Obrt se je sicer umaknila industrijski proizvodnji, kljub temu pa v Slovenj Gradcu še danes delujejo mojstri domačih in umetnostnih obrti.
Številne mednarodne prireditve in razstave, nekatere tudi pod pokroviteljstvom OZN so Slovenj Gradec trajno zaznamovale kot mesto miru in mednarodnega sporazumevanja z nazivom Mesta glasnik miru, ki ga je mestu leta 1989 podelil takratni generalni sekretar OZN.
Zgodovinska podoba Slovenj Gradca in njegove okolice sega daleč v prazgodovino, kar dokazujejo ostanki ilirskega in keltskega gradišča nad mestom. V antičnih časih je bila v bližnjem Starem trgu rimska naselbina Colatio.
Srednjeveško mesto je nastalo (tako kot ostala najstarejša slovenska mesta) v 13. stoletju. Doživljalo je nemirna stoletja, a so meščani (najpogosteje obrtniki in trgovci) vedno znova z domačimi in tujimi mojstri - umetniki poskrbeli za mestni videz. Središče kulturnega in družabnega življenja je tudi danes staro mestno jedro.
Slovenj Gradec ostaja povezan s svojo zgodovinsko in kulturno tradicijo. Najpomembnejši umetnostni spomeniki v mestu so v gotski cerkvi sv. Duha in v župnijski cerkvi sv. Elizabete; zanimivo pa je tudi staro mestno jedro, ki je ohranilo svojo prvotno zasnovo. V bližnji okolici je kar nekaj kulturnozgodovinskih spomenikov, ki s svojimi elementi predstavljajo posebnost v širšem prostoru. Najpomembnejši so cerkev sv. Jurija na Legnu, razvaline gradu Vodriž in cerkev sv. Pankracija nad Starim trgom. Ohranjene pa so tudi nekatere etnološke zanimivosti - predvsem kozolci (toplarji), stare kmečke hiše, kapelice, pa tudi kakšen stari vodni mlin ali žaga.
V Slovenj Gradcu in njegovi okolici so se rodili ali ustvarjali mnogi znani ljudje - Matevž Cerdonis - eden zadnjih evropskih tiskarjev inkunabul, baročna slikarja Straussa, skladatelj Hugo Wolf, pesnik Ernest Goll, kipar Franc Berneker, pisatelja Franc Ksaver Meško in ljuba Prennerjeva, slikar Jože Tisnikar in drugi. Umetniško tradicijo danes nadaljujejo mnogi znani slikarji (Karel Pečko, Bogdan Borčič, Franc Berhtold) in drugi umetniki). Obrtno tradicijo pa ohranjajo mojstri domače in umetnostne obrti.
Popotnikom so poleg hotela v mestu na razpolago tudi prenočišča na turističnih kmetijah na obrobju Mislinjske doline, kulinariko krajev pa je mogoče spoznavati v domačih gostilnah. Mesto in okolica ponujata različne možnosti za rekreacijo - smučanje na Kopah, jahanje, kolesarjenje, jadralno letenje, pohodništvo in planinarjenje.
Smučarski center Kope omogoča ugodno smuko tudi ob precej tanki snežni odeji. Poseben užitek pa predstavljajo smučarski tek ali sprehodi po pohorskih planotah.
Raznovrstnost sveta med Uršljo goro in Pohorjem ponuja popotniku mir in marsikje še svojo prvinskost. Dolina ima veliko poti ter skrivnosti in vsako od njih je vredno odkrivati. 		Slovenj Gradec is the seat of the municipal government as well as the business and cultural centre of the Mislinjska valley. It is safely tucked between Pohorje and the easternmost representative of the Karavanke mountain range, Uršlja gora. It is well known for its many artists and events, as well as for being one of Slovenia's coldest towns. The old town centre, with its preserved historical image, still remains the town's cultural hub. The traditional crafts were gradually replaced by industrial production; even so, Slovenj Gradec still retains its fair share of home manufacture and art crafts masters.
Countless international events and exhibitions–some sponsored by the UN–attest to Slovenj Gradec as a town of peace and international cooperation. In recognition of that, the town received the title of Peace Messenger City in 1989, granted by then secretary general of the UN.
The historical image of Slovenj Gradec and its surroundings reaches far back into prehistoric times, as evidenced by the remains of the Illyrian and Celtic hill fort above the town. In ancient times, the nearby village of Stari trg was a Roman settlement called Colatio.
The medieval town, much like other old Slovene towns, formed during the 13th century. Even though it experienced turbulent centuries, the townspeople–mostly craftsmen and merchants working with local and foreign masters and artists–made sure every time that the town's urban design was rebuilt. To this day, the old town core remains the town's focus of cultural and social life.
Slovenj Gradec remains in touch with its historical and cultural tradition. The town's most significant artistic monuments are found in the Gothic Church of the Holy Spirit (sv. Duh) and in the parish church of St. Elizabeth; no less interesting is the old part of town, which has mostly retained its original design. In the vicinity are several cultural and historical monuments, whose elements represent a peculiarity in the wider area. Some of the more important are the church of St. George in Legen, the ruins of the Vodriž castle, and the church of St. Pancras above Stari trg. Many other ethnological attractions are also preserved, especially hay racks (toplarji), old farm houses, chapels, as well as several old water mills or saws.
Slovenj Gradec and its surroundings were the birthplace or workplace of many famous people: Matthaeus Cerdonis (one of the last European incunabula printers), the Strauss family of Baroque painters, composer Hugo Wolf, poet Ernest Goll, sculptor Francis Berneker, writers Franz Ksaver Meško and Ljuba Prenner, painter Jože Tisnikar and many others. Today, the artistic tradition is carried on by several well-known painters (Karel Pečko, Bogdan Borčič, Franc Berhtold) and other artists, while the traditional crafts are kept alive by masters of home manufacture and art crafts.
Accommodations for travelers are available either at the town's hotel or at bed-and-breakfasts on tourist farms along the outskirts of Mislinjska Valley, while the local culinary specialties can be discovered at local inns. The town and its surroundings offer a variety of recreational opportunities: skiing at Kope, horse riding, cycling, gliding, trekking and mountaineering.
The Kope Ski Centre provides good skiing opportunities even with a thin snow cover, while cross-country skiing or walking on the Pohorje plateaus offer a quite distinct pleasure.
In the diverse landscape between Uršlja gora and Pohorje, travelers can find peace and nature in its original form. The valley holds many paths and secrets; every one of them is worth discovering.

 

Občina Solčava

  

 »Med očarljivo lepe krajinske posebnosti Alp spada tudi Solčavsko. S to skupno besedo povezujemo dolinski svet Solčave, Logarske doline, Matkovega in Robanovega kota ter kraljestvo gorskih kmetij, celcev, raztresenih visoko pod Olševo in Raduho, nad Matkovim in Robanovim kotom.« (Janez Bizjak)Solčavsko območje leži ob skrajnem zgornjem toku reke Savinje in je okrog in okrog obdano z gorami. Olševa je del Karavank in zapira Solčavsko s severne strani, na vzhodu, jugu in zahodu pa doline obdajajo preko 2000 m visoki vršaci Savinjskih Alp z Raduho, Ojstrico, Planjavo, Brano, Rinkami, Skuto in Mrzlo goro.
Visokogorski alpski svet narekuje klimatske razmere, zime so običajno razmeroma dolge in hladne, poletja pa prijetno topla. Preko 70-odstotkov površine pokrivajo gozdovi. Ljudje se tod ukvarjajo z gozdarstvom, kmetijstvom in obrtjo, vedno bolj pa tudi s turizmom. Naravne danosti in ohranjena naravna ter kulturna dediščina so ob skladnem trajnostnem razvoju območja prepoznavne primerjalne prednosti za sonaravni turizem.
Prvi sledovi poselitve na Solčavskem segajo v mlajšo kameno dobo. Srečko Brodar je leta 1928 v Potočki zijalki pod Olševo odkril sledove paleolitskih lovcev. Za novodobno poselitev pa je značilna višinska kolonizacija in ravno tu najdemo najvišje ležečo kmetijo v Sloveniji (Bukovnik 1327 m). Velike samotne kmetije so raztresene po pobočjih, tu in tam se hiše zgostijo v zaselek. Geografsko in upravno središče Solčavskega pa je med strma pobočja ujeta alpska vasica Solčava. Ob ozki strugi Savinje poteka edina cestna povezava z Zgornjo Savinjsko dolino, ceste pa vodijo tudi v Črno na Koroškem in preko mejnega prehoda Pavličevo sedlo v Avstrijo.
Solčava je majhna alpska vasica. Večina prebivalcev Solčavskega živi na visokogorskih kmetijah, saj je v kotlinici med visokimi hribi prostora le za peščico hiš. Podatki o naselitvi segajo v čas med letoma 1000 in 1200. Ozemlje je tedaj spadalo pod oblast bavarskega kneza Diebalda de Chagere, lastnika gornjegrajske gospoščine. Omenjeni knez je Solčavo leta 1140 podaril oglejskemu patriarhu Peregrinu. Kraj Solčava se sicer prvič omenja leta 1268 kot "Silva Sulzbach". Samostanski urbar iz leta 1426 omenja Solčavo kot sedež urada za celotno Solčavsko. Kasnejši dokumenti dokazujejo, da je bila Solčava pod oblastjo celjskih grofov, od leta 1456 pa habsburžanov. Leta 1473 je cesar Friderik III. vse ozemlje podaril takrat ustanovljeni ljubljanski škofiji.
Danes je Solčava razvijajoče se naselje, ki postaja sodobno urejeno središče zaokroženega turističnega območja. Solčavsko turistično območje je v letu 2009 od Evropske komisije prejelo naziv Evropska destinacija odličnosti. 		“The charmingly beautiful Alpine landscape features include the Solčavsko region. This common name encompasses the Solčava valley, Logarska valley, the glacial valleys Matkov and Robanov kot, as well as a rich range of mountain farms amid deep snow, scattered high up under Olševa and Raduha, above Matkov and Robanov kot.” (Janez Bizjak) The Solčavsko region lies at the extreme upper reaches of the Savinja river and is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Olševa mountain is part of the Karavanke mountain range and bounds Solčavsko on the northern side, while on the eastern, southern and western fringes, the valleys are enclosed by several 2000 m high summits of the Savinjske Alps, including Raduha, Ojstrica, Planjava, Brana, Rinke, Skuta and Mrzla gora.
In the Alpine high mountain climate, winters are usually fairly long and cold, while summers are pleasantly warm. Over 70 percent of the area is covered by forests. Local people are engaged in forestry, agriculture and handicrafts, though tourism has been steeply on the rise in recent years. The beautiful countryside and a well-preserved natural and cultural heritage, in keeping with sustainable development, offer the most important advantages for sustainable tourism.
The first traces of settlement in the Solčava region date back to the younger Stone Age. In 1928, Srečko Brodar found traces of Palaeolithic hunters in the Potočka zijalka cave under Olševa. More modern settlement is characterized by colonization at higher elevations; this is exactly where the highest farm in Slovenia (Bukovnik 1327 m) is situated. Large, secluded farms are scattered across the hillsides; here and there, they coalesce into hamlets. The geographical and administrative center of Solčavsko is the tiny Alpine village of Solčava, nested between the steep slopes. The only road link with the Upper Savinjska valley runs along the narrow Savinja riverbed, while other roads lead to Črna na Koroškem and across the Pavličevo sedlo border crossing into Austria.
Solčava is a small Alpine village. Most inhabitants in the Solčavsko region live high up on farms, as the narrow basin in-between the high peaks offers but little space for only a handful of houses. Data on settlement reach back to somewhere between the years 1000 and 1200; during that time, the lands were under the rule of the Bavarian prince Diebald de Chagere, feudal lord of the Oberburg (Gornji Grad). In 1140, he granted the lands to Peregrin, the patriarch of Aquileia. The settlement of Solčava is first mentioned in writing in 1268 under the name of "Silva Sulzbach". The monastery land register from 1426 mentions Solčava as the office seat for the entire Solčavsko region. Later documents show that Solčava was under the rule of the Counts of Cilli, and that it changed hands to the Habsburgs in 1456. In 1473, Emperor Frederick III granted all lands to the newly established Ljubljana diocese.
Solčava today is a developing village and is quickly turning into a modern center of the well-rounded tourist region. The tourist region of Solčavsko was pronounced a European Destination of Excellence by the European Commission in 2009.  

 

Občina Šentrupert

 

 

Občina Šentrupert leži v osrednjem delu porečja Mirne, savskega pritoka na Srednjem Dolenjskem. Oblikovala se je na prehodu iz Mirnsko-Mokronoške kotline v gričevje na severu in sega do meje s hribovitim svetom Posavskega hribovja. Na 42 km² živi v 25 naseljih 2400 prebivalcev. Poselitev je zgoščena po naseljih na vzpetem kotlinskem robu. Precej redkeje je poseljeno zaledje - gričevje in hribovje z raztresenimi slemenskimi in pobočnimi zaselki. Center osrednjega naselja Šentruperta je krožni trg, ki je izrazito “centralno” gručast, k čemur pripomore cerkev sv. Ruperta, osrednji ambient pa tvori enonadstropni niz, ki se enakomerno izteka v več obcestnih grupacij.
Znaki obljudenosti segajo daleč nazaj v prazgodovino, ko je tod vodila cesta proti prevalu pri Mokronogu, ki je prek doline Laknice povezovala Mirnsko dolino s Krško kotlino. Danes potekata najpomembnejši prometnici Mirnske doline, cesta in železnica, ki povezujeta Dolenjsko podolje s savsko dolino pri Sevnici, po južnem robu občine.
Današnja podoba občine zrcali življenje od druge polovice prvega tisočletja naprej. Dominirata grad Škrljevo kot zgodovinsko dokazana posest kneginje Eme iz rodu dinastije Breško-Seliških in cerkev sv. Ruperta kot eden najlepših spomenikov zrele gotike v Sloveniji. Grad je zgrajen na vzpetini zahodno od vaškega naselja Škrljevo ob severovzhodnem robu šentrupertske ravnine. Ves severozahodni predel Mirnske doline je zaznamovan s tem objektom do take mere, da vzpostavlja ravnovesje z ostalimi estetsko pomembnimi objekti od Vesele Gore, Okroga, Vihra, Velikega Cirnika do Mokronoga. Župnija je v listinah izpričana kot ena najstarejših na nekdanjem Kranjskem. Močne gospodarske temelje ji je utrdila že kneginja Ema s svojimi darovnicami. V zgodnjem srednjem veku je bil tu celo sedež dolenjskega arhidiakonata. Vidnih stavbnih ostankov iz obdobja romanike pa je zelo malo: južni portal p.c. sv. Duha na Vihru in zdaj zazidan severni portal p.c. sv. Barbare na Okrogu. Najdragocenejša kulturna dediščina v tem prostoru izhaja iz obdobja gotike, a tudi barok je ustvaril eno najlepših stilno čistih arhitektur na Slovenskem – cerkev sv. Frančiška Ksaverija na Veseli Gori.
  		The Municipality of Šentrupert lies in the central area of the Mirna sub-basin, the inflow of the Sava River in the central Dolenjska region. It was formed during the transition from the Mirna-Mokronog basin to the hills in the north, and reaches as far as the bordering mountains of the Posavje region. In an area of 42km2 live 2400 people in 25 settlements. The community is concentrated in settlements on the ascending sides of the basin edge. The hinterland is more of an isolated settlement – the hills and mountains are scattered with ridge-top and mountain-side villages. The centre of the main settlement of Šentrupert is the circular market place, which is markedly “centrally” clustered, assisted by the Church of Sv. Rupert (St Rupert); the main ambience is created by single-storey buildings, which spread out evenly in several roadside groups.
Signs of inhabitation reach far back into ancient history, when a road led towards the pass near Mokronog, which connected the Mirna Valley with the Krško basin through the Laknica Valley. Today, the Mirna Valley’s most important transport routes, both road and railway, which connect the Dolenjska valley system with the Sava Valley at Sevnica, run along the southern edge of the municipality.
Today’s image of the municipality reflects life from the second half of the first millennium onwards. Škrljevo Castle, as a historically authenticated estate of Princess Hemma, a descendent of the Breže-Selška dynasty and the Church of St Rupert, one of the most beautiful monuments in Slovenia from the late Gothic period, dominate the skyline. The castle was built on the rising ground to the west of the village of Škrljevo, by the north-eastern edge of the Šentrupert plain. The whole north-western region is marked by this building to such an extent that it creates a balance between the other aesthetically important buildings from Vesela Gora, Okrog, Viher and Veliki Cirnik to Mokronog. Through its documents, the parish appears to be one of the oldest in the former Kranjska province. Princess Hemma consolidated the strong commercial foundations with her land grants. In the early Middle Ages, even the seat of the Dolenjska archdeaconship was here. There are very few visible remains from the Romanesque period: the south portal in front of the Church of Sv. Duh (Holy Spirit) in Viher and the now walled-in north portal in front of the Church of Sv. Barbara (St Barbara) in Okrog.
The most valuable cultural heritage in this area originates from the Gothic period, although the Baroque period left its impression on one of the most stylistically pure architectural examples in Slovenia – the Church of Sv. Frančišek Ksaverij (St Francis Xavier) at Vesela Gora.
 
   

 

Občina Šmarje pri Jelšah









 

Da je bilo Šmarje pri Jelšah naseljeno že v obdobju Keltov in Rimljanov, pričajo keltsko najdišče v vasi Vodenovo pri cerkvi sv. Miklavža ter izkopanine rimskih vil in ostanki rimske ceste Celje – Ptuj. Prvi zapis kraja izhaja iz leta 1236, naslednji pomemben mejnik v njegovem razvoju pa predstavlja letnica 1871, ko je bilo Šmarje povzdignjeno v trg.
Šmarje je nekoč preplavljalo jezero. Izročilo pripoveduje, da so si graditelji dvorcev Jelše in Korpule, prvi stoji na zahodnem delu Šmarja, drugi na vzhodnem, med gradnjo posojali kladivo, tako da so si ga metali. Na mestu, kjer je kladivo na pol poti med enim in drugim dvorcem padlo na tla, se je razlilo jezero, sredi njega pa je zrasel otoček. Na njem so kasneje postavili kapelico Škapulirske Matere božje. Ko je sčasoma jezerska voda odtekla, so prebivalci svoja bivališča postavili na pilotih okamnelih jelš in kraj poimenovali Šmarje na Jelšah.
Kraj kot tak ni nikoli imel bogatega gospodarskega zaledja, pač pa je bil vedno pomembno upravno središče. Tako je bil v Šmarju pri Jelšah med obema svetovnima vojnama sedež velikega SREZA, ki je obsegal območje, večje od današnje upravne enote, leta 1958 pa je s priključitvijo občin Kozje in Rogaška Slatina nastala velika občina Šmarje pri Jelšah, ki se je na šest manjših razdelila konec leta 1994. Kljub delitvi je Šmarje pri Jelšah ostalo središče sodnih in upravnih funkcij.
Šmarje pri Jelšah pa nima le bogate zgodovine uprave, pač pa tudi kulture. Razvoj čitalništva in s tem tudi knjižničarstva sega v zadnja desetletja 19. stoletja, ko je kot kaplan v Šmarju služboval Anton Aškerc. Skupaj s Francem Skazo sta leta 1883 ustanovila čitalnico, ki je pomenila pravi kulturni razmah v kraju. Kot zaveden Slovenec je Aškerc poslovenil mnogo nemških zapisov, tudi enega najpomembnejših za kraj, ki pripoveduje o vzroku gradnje danes ene najlepših slovenskih cerkva sv. Roka nad Šmarjem.
  		That Šmarje pri Jelšah was already settled at the time of the Celts and the Romans is proved by the Celtic archaeological site in the village of Vodenovo near St Nicholas's Church and by the excavations of Roman villas and the remains of the Roman road running from Celje (Celeia) to Ptuj (Poetovio). The first written reference to the place dates from 1236, while the next significant milestone in its development came in 1871, when Šmarje was elevated to the status of market town.
Šmarje was once submerged under the waters of a lake. According to legend, the builders of the mansions of Jelše and Korpule – one to the west of Šmarje and the other to the east – were compelled to share a hammer, tossing it back and forth between them as required. Eventually the hammer fell to the ground halfway between the two mansions, and at the point where it struck a lake formed, with a little island in the middle. Later on a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Carmel was built on the island. When in time the lake waters receded, the inhabitants built their homes on piles made of petrified alder trees and named the place Šmarje na Jelšah or St Mary's-on-the-Alders.
Šmarje has never had a rich economic hinterland, but it has always been an important administrative centre. Between the wars Šmarje was the centre of a large administrative district covering an area larger than today's administrative unit. In 1958, with the annexation of the municipalities of Kozje and Rogaška Slatina, the large municipality of Šmarje pri Jelšah was created, but at the end of 1994 this was divided into six small municipalities. Despite the division, Šmarje pri Jelšah has remained the centre of judicial and administrative functions.
Šmarje pri Jelšah does not only have a rich history as an administrative centre, it can also boast a notable cultural heritage. The development of the reading society movement, and thus also of libraries, dates back to the last decades of the 19th century, when Anton Aškerc was chaplain in Šmarje. In 1883 Aškerc and Franc Skaza founded a reading society which represented a major advance in the cultural life of the market town. A nationally conscious Slovene, Aškerc translated a great many German records and inscriptions into the Slovene language, including one of great importance for Šmarje: the account of the building of what is today one of the most beautiful churches in Slovenia: the church of St Roch above Šmarje.
 
   

 

Občina Trbovlje











Trboveljska dolina leži v osrčju Slovenije. Značilnost pokrajine je hribovitost, s poselitvijo v ozki dolgi dolini. Prepoznavnost kraja sta v zadnjih dvesto letih zaznamovala premog in rudarjenje. Oba sta pustila pečat ljudem in krajini. V mestu je vrsta tipičnih rudarskih kolonij - Njiva, Terezija, Žabja vas, Kurja vas, nasipov jalovine, pobočij poraslih z akacijami, jaškov, rovov. Po teh značilnostih smo bili znani tudi kot črna dolina. Nasprotje rudarjenju predstavljajo gozdovi, ki obsegajo več kot polovico površine občine, s krajinskima parkoma Kumom in Mrzlico, z botaničnimi in krajinskimi posebnostmi.
Delo v rudniku in tovarnah je oblikovalo tudi ljudi. 'Šiht' jih je naredil trde in zaprte. Svojo dušo, mehkobo in ideje so polno zaživeli šele po 'šihtu' z umetniškim ustvarjanjem, z begom na pobočja zelene Mrzlice, Kuma, Planine, z druženjem na kolonijskih dvoriščih, v Delavskem domu, Zasavskemu muzeju, galeriji, v številnih društvih.
Tako kot smo v preteklosti sloveli po premogu, slovimo še danes po vrsti odličnih glasbenikov, literatov, slikarjev, kiparjev, pevskih zborih, delavski godbi itd. Čas rudarjenja v Trbovljah se počasi izteka. S postopnim zaprtjem rudnika bo končano več kot dvestoletno obdobje rudarjenja. Zamenjuje ga razvoj novih dejavnosti, usmerjenih v prihodnost in razvoj doline in ljudi. Pred nami je novo obdobje, ko bo potrebno zamenjati delo, navade, način razmišljanja, a ob tem ohraniti korenine, spoštovati preteklost in ohraniti ljubezen do umetnosti, do glasbe, do ustvarjalnosti. In kot je zapisal avtor Ludvik Mrzel:
''Kdor je bil enkrat doma v Trbovljah, bo težko pod soncem našel drugo domovino, zakaj vse, kar je doživel lepega, dobrega in gorja v tej kraljici naših črnih dolin, pojde z njim do konca življenja. Beseda Trbovlje bo zmeraj ostala kakor svetel spomin, kakor prijetno upanje srca, kakor edini, poslednji cilj.''
  		The Trbovlje Valley lies in the heart of Slovenia. The terrain is characteristically hilly, with settlements running along the narrow valley. This area became known during the last two hundred years due to the mining and coal industry. Both have left their mark on the people and the region. In the town there are all types of typical mining colonies – Njiva, Terezija, Žabja Vas, Kurja Vas, mounds of tailings, slopes with mineshafts and galleries, overgrown with acacias. Due to these characteristics, this area was also known as the "black valley". The forests represent the opposite of the mining industry; they range out over half of the municipality and include the regional parks Kum and Mrzlica, as well as other botanical and regional features.
Work in the mines and factories also moulded the people. “Graft” made them tough and secluded. Their ideas, souls and softer side were only brought to life after work, through artistic expression, escaping to the slopes of the green Mrzlica, Kum and Planina, by socializing in the colonies’ yards, in the community centre, the Zasavje Museum, galleries and in various societies.
Just as we were known for our mining and coal in the past, so we are now recognized for our many musicians, artists, sculptors, painters, writers, choirs, orchestras and so on. Trbovlje’s mining heydays are slowly ending. The gradual closing of the mines will complete a two-hundred-year period which greatly influenced this town. In its place comes the development of new activities, directed towards the future and the development of the valley, as well as its people. A new era awaits us, when our jobs, habits and ways of thinking will have to change, while still keeping to our roots, respecting the past and conserving our love of art, music and creativity. And as the author Ludvik Mrzel wrote:
“He who has once been at home in Trbovlje will have trouble finding another, where everything beautiful, good and passionate that he has experienced in this queen of black valleys he shall take with him for the rest of his days. The word Trbovlje will forever remain a bright memory, a pleasant hope in his heart, as the one final goal.”
 
   

 

Občina Trebnje









 

Sredi dolenjskega gričevja, ob rekah Temenici in Mirni, se spleta nenavadna zgodba o deželi, življenju, delu in kulturi ljudi, ki tod živijo že iz pradavnine kakor v pravljici in znajo skrbeti za bujno življenje trebanjske doline. Pokrajina je izrazito prehodna, v prihodnje jo bo zaznamovala tudi umestitev avtoceste Karavanke – Obrežje. Že od davnih časov je tako tudi pomembno prometno križišče, o čemer pričajo izkopanine iz stare rimske naselbine Praetorium Latobicorum. Občina Trebnje meri 194,6 km2, ima okoli 13.449 prebivalcev, 153 naselij. Okolica je slikovito dolenjsko gričevje, poraslo z gozdovi in vinsko trto ter posejano z značilnimi kmečkimi hišami, zidanicami in cerkvicami, od katerih mnoge cenijo kot posebne kulturne spomenike in arhitekturne zanimivosti, v nekaterih pa so odkrite tudi srednjeveške freske. Slikovita in zanimiva je dolina reke Mirne severovzhodno od mesta Trebnje ter reke Temenice, ki je ena najbolj znanih in tipičnih dolenjskih ponikalnic, saj do izliva v reko Krko kar dvakrat ponikne.
Skozi Trebnje poteka 15. poldnevnik in tako je na Vrhtrebnjem (535 m) postavljeno obeležje, kjer je tudi lepa razgledna točka na mesto Trebnje in okolico ter znana pohodniška točka mnogih Trebanjcev. Od leta 1968 poteka v Trebnjem vsak konec junija tabor – mednarodno srečanje »umetnikov naive«. V Galeriji likovnih samorastnikov se je zbralo že čez 280 likovnih del (kipov, slik, gobelinov in reliefov), ki jih je ustvarilo 245 umetnikov iz 34 držav sveta. Na rimsko obdobje spominjajo milni kamen pri Koščakovi hiši, kamniti relief s tremi poprsji v veži župnijske cerkve Marijinega vnebovzetja in kamniti lev, vzidan na vrhu stopnišča pri trebanjskem gradu. V Trebnjem se je rodil Pavel Golia, pesnik, gledališki ravnatelj in avtor dramskih del za mladino. Svoj spominski kotiček je dobil v trebanjski knjižnici, ki nosi njegovo ime. Prav tako so v Trebnjem s projektom in stalno razstavo Rastoča knjiga, ki se nahaja v avli Centra za izobraževanje in kulturo Trebnje, predstavljeni reprezentativni predstavniki različnih področij iz občine.
  		In the midst of the rolling hills of Dolenjska, along the banks of the Temenica and Mirna rivers, a special story connects the land, life, work and culture of the people who have lived here since prehistoric times as if in a fairytale, and who know how to keep the abundant energies of the Trebanjska valley flowing. The landscape is easy to travel through and will soon be marked by the Karavanke-Obrežje motorway. Since ancient times this area has been an important crossroads, a fact further demonstrated by excavations from the Roman settlement of Praetorium Latobicorum. The Trebnje municipality spans 194.6 square kilometres and is home to 13,449 people living in 153 towns and villages. Its landscapes include the picturesque rolling hills of Dolenjska covered by forests and vineyards, sprinkled with characteristic farmhouses, stone houses and churches, many of which are renowned as special cultural monuments and architectural curiosities. Medieval frescos have been discovered in some of them. The Mirna river valley northeast of Trebnje and the Temenica River are wonderfully colourful and interesting, with the latter being one of the renowned "ponikalnice" (sinking creeks) typical of the Dolenjska region; it disappears under the ground in two spots before reaching the Krka River.
The 15th meridian runs straight through Trebnje, and a monument marks it on Vrhtrebnje hill (535 m), a popular destination for numerous hikers from Trebnje which offers a beautiful view of Trebnje town and its surroundings. Ever since 1968, Trebnje has hosted an international meeting of “artists of naïve” at the end of each June. The Gallery of Naïve Artists in Trebnje has collected more than 280 works of fine art (statues, paintings, gobelin needlework and reliefs) created by 245 artists from 34 countries. The milestone at Koščak house, the stone relief with three busts in the lobby of the Church of Marijino Vnebovzetje (Our Lady of the Assumption) and the stone lion built into the top of the staircase leading to Trebnje Castle are reminiscent of the times of ancient Rome. Trebnje was the birthplace of Pavel Golia, a poet, theatre director and author of plays for younger audiences. He has his own memorial corner in Trebnje library, which bears his name. Representatives of various areas covered in the municipality are presented by a project in the lobby of the Trebnje Centre for Education and Culture, in the permanent exhibition Rastoča knjiga (The Growing Book).
 
   

 

Občina Trzin









 

Čeprav je Trzin druga najmanjša občina v Sloveniji, saj meri le 859,50 ha, spada med razvite, bogatejše in gospodarsko pomembnejše območje naše države. Zaradi svoje ugodne lege Trzin sodi med tista slovenska naselja, ki so se v zadnjih letih najbolj razvijala in v katerih je prebivalstvo najhitreje naraščalo. V nekaj desetletjih se je iz umirjene predmestne vasice s približno 700 prebivalci prelevil v živahno, kipeče naselje z nekaj tisoč prebivalci ter bogato podjetniško in obrtno dejavnostjo.
Naselje je razdeljeno na tri dele: stari Trzin, novo stanovanjsko naselje Mlake in obrtno industrijsko cono.
Stari del, ki je še ohranil nekatere značilnosti nekdanje podobe kraja, se od vzhodnih obronkov hriba Onger širi proti trzinskemu polju, ki je še v prejšnjih desetletjih prehranjevalo Trzin. V tem delu naselja je sedež občine, farna cerkev z župniščem, osnovna šola in več trgovin ter gostišč in drugih lokalov.
Naselje Mlake je zraslo na območju nekdanjih močvirnih gmajn in travnikov. Pretežno je namenjeno individualnim stanovanjskim hišam, v njem pa so tudi banka, vrtec in več gostinskih in trgovinskih lokalov.
Tudi obrtno-industrijska cona je zrasla na nekdanjem, za kmetijstvo manj primernem močvirnem terenu, v njej pa so predvsem obrtne in manjše industrijske delavnice, razna podjetja, ki se ukvarjajo s trgovino, posredništvom in drugimi poslovnimi zadevami, zraven pa je še precej trgovin, gostinskih lokalov, pošta, dve banki, fizio- center in še več storitvenih podjetij.
Trzinska občina meji na Mestno občino Ljubljana, hkrati pa je križišče pomembnih tradicionalnih poti proti Štajerski in Gorenjski. V bližini ležijo še druga živahnejša poslovno-industrijska središča kot so Domžale, Mengeš in Kamnik, zato se na območju občine prepletajo številne trgovske, gospodarske in poslovne vezi. Vse to prispeva k živahnemu poslovnemu utripu kraja, eden od adutov pa je tudi bližina ljubljanskega letališča Brnik.
Kljub bližini prestolnice in hitremu razvoju pa je Trzin le še uspel ohraniti svojo identiteto, ki se je z ustanovitvijo lastne občine še okrepila. Občina se ponaša z dokaj dobro razvito infrastrukturo in dokaj visoko življenjsko ravnjo prebivalstva. V naselju je razvito družabno in društveno življenje s številnimi kulturnimi, športnimi in drugimi prireditvami, ki so lahko zanimive tudi za obiskovalce od drugod.
Zaradi prijetne, še dokaj neokrnjene narave v okolici, je Trzin lahko prijetno izhodišče za izlete k bližnjim izletniškim točkam, kot so Dobeno in Rašica, gozdovi in travniki v okolici naselja pa nudijo tudi lepe možnosti za sprostitev in rekreacijo v naravi.
  		Although Trzin is the second smallest municipality in Slovenia, with an area of just 859.5 hectares, it is among the richest, most developed and economically important areas of the country. Thanks to its advantageous position, Trzin is one of the settlements that has developed most in recent years, and whose population has grown most rapidly. In the space of a few decades it has changed from a sleepy suburban village with around 700 inhabitants into a lively, bustling settlement with a population of several thousand, and rich enterprise and small-business sector.
The settlement is divided into three parts: old Trzin, the new residential district of Mlake, and the industrial zone.
The old town, which has retained some of the characteristics and appearance of the former village, extends from the eastern slopes of Onger hill towards the Trzin polje or plain, which in past decades supplied Trzin with food. The municipal offices, the parish church and priest's house, the primary school and several shops, restaurants and other establishments are located in this part of the settlement.
The Mlake district grew up in an area formerly given over to marshy heath and meadows. It mainly consists of single-family dwellings, but it also has a bank, a nursery school and several shops and eating establishments.
The small business/industrial zone is also built on former marshland unsuitable for agriculture. It mainly contains light industrial units and workshops and retail, commercial and financial service businesses. There are also several shops and eating establishments, a post office, two banks, a physiotherapy centre and a number of other services.
The municipality of Trzin borders the urban municipality of Ljubljana, while at the same time it is a crossroads of important traditional routes towards Štajerska and Gorenjska. It is close to other centres of business and industry such as Domžale, Mengeš and Kamnik, and therefore enjoys numerous commercial, economic and business connections. All of this helps Trzin maintain a lively pulse of business activity, while the proximity of Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport in Brnik is one of its trump cards.
Despite the vicinity of the capital, and notwithstanding its rapid development, Trzin has succeeded in maintaining its identity, something which the creation of the municipality of Trzin has further strengthened. The municipality can boast a well-developed infrastructure and a high standard of living. Clubs and societies in the municipality organise a large number of cultural, sports and other events, which also attract visitors from other parts.
Thanks to the pleasant and still relatively untouched countryside of the surrounding area, Trzin can be a good starting-point for excursions to popular destinations such as Dobeno and Rašica, while the forests and meadows around the settlement offer plenty of opportunities for relaxation and recreation in natural surroundings.
 
   

 

Mestna občina Velenje








 

 

Mesto Velenje je po številu prebivalcev peto največje v državi. Je izrazito gospodarsko središče in center Savinjsko-Šaleške regije z upravnimi, političnimi, izobraževalnimi, kulturnimi, trgovskimi in drugimi funkcijami. Mesto ima sodobno zasnovan tloris, ki je modernističen in se razlikuje od trških zasnov Starega Velenja. Trg Velenje je nastal pod grajsko vzpetino, kjer stoji Velenjski grad s številnimi muzejskimi zbirkami. Intenzivnejši razvoj trga se je pričel konec 19. in v začetku 20. stoletja. Takrat so odprli premogovnik, s katerim se je začel tudi hiter industrijski razvoj. Še posebej intenziven je bil razvoj po letu 1960, ko se je v Velenje preselila proizvodnja gospodinjskih aparatov iz vasi Gorenje. Današnje podjetje Gorenje je danes največji zaposlitveni gigant v občini. Danes ljudje mesto najpogosteje povezujejo s podjetjem Gorenje in Premogovnikom Velenje, ki sta najbolj zaznamovala razvoj mesta in občine.
Mestna občina Velenje leži v vzhodnem delu Šaleške doline. Površina občine je 83,5 km2, gostota poselitve 411 prebivalcev na kvadratni kilometer, število prebivalcev ob koncu preteklega leta pa je bilo 34.400.
Za kulturni utrip v mestu skrbijo številne kulturne institucije: Festival Velenje, Knjižnica Velenje, Glasbena šola Frana Koruna Koželjskega, Galerija Velenje, Mladinski center Velenje, številna kulturna društva in ustanove, pomembno mesto pa zavzemata tudi dva muzeja – Muzej Velenje in Muzej premogovništva Slovenije. Muzej Velenje domuje na mogočnem Velenjskem gradu, enem najlepših in najbolje ohranjenih srednjeveških gradov v Sloveniji. Atrij gradu je tudi čudovit in akustičen prireditveni prostor za kulturne prireditve. Sicer pa je mesto znano tudi po tem, da premore odlične pogoje za različne kulturne prireditve vseh zvrsti in skoraj vsak dan poteka na različnih lokacijah kakšna zanimiva kulturna prireditev. V Velenju se prepletata tradicija, mladost in kultura. To vsako jesen dokazuje tudi največji slovenski festival za otroke, Pikin festival. Letos praznuje dvajsetletnico, potekal bo med 20. do 26. septembrom in bo še posebej slavnostno naravnan.
Tudi mesto Velenje praznuje v letošnjem letu, in sicer 50-letnico. 20. septembra 1959 so namreč svečano odprli mestno središče novega Velenja. Zato je 20. september tudi praznik mestne občine Velenje. V sklopu praznovanj pol stoletja urbanega mestnega središča bo letošnji mestni kulturni utrip še bogatejši in celostno zaokrožen. V mestu bodo številne kulturne prireditve in kulturni dogodki se bodo vrstili na vsakem koraku in za vsak okus.
  		Velenje is the fifth largest city in Slovenia in terms of population. It is the economic, administrative, political, educational, cultural and commercial centre of the Savinja-Šalek region. The modern layout of the city contrasts sharply with the market-town origins of Old Velenje. The market town of Velenje grew up beneath the castle hill. Velenje Castle today houses a number of museum collections. The market town experienced intensive development from around the turn of the 20th century. This period saw the opening of the coal mine, and thus the start of rapid industrial development. Development became particularly intensive after 1960 when the domestic appliances manufacturer Gorenje moved to Velenje from the village that gave it its name. Today Gorenje is by far the largest employer in the municipality, with the result that most people today associate the name of Velenje with Gorenje and Velenje Coal Mine, the two enterprises that have left the greatest mark on the development of the city and the municipality as a whole.
The municipality of Velenje lies at the eastern end of the Šalek Valley. It covers an area of 83.5 km2, has a population density of 411 inhabitants per square kilometre, and at the end of last year had a population of 34,400.
Cultural life in Velenje revolves around the Velenje Festival, Velenje Library, the Fran Korun Koželjski Music School, the Velenje Gallery, the Velenje Youth Centre and numerous cultural associations. The city's two museums – the Museum of Coal Mining and Velenje Museum – also play an important role. Velenje Museum is located in Velenje Castle, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval castles in Slovenia. The castle's inner courtyard, which has excellent acoustics, is also used as a venue for cultural events. Velenje is well known for providing excellent conditions for events of all types, and on any day of the year a number of interesting cultural events are sure to taking place at various locations. Velenje combines tradition, youth and culture, something which is particularly apparent every autumn at Slovenia’s largest children’s festival – the Pippi Longstocking Festival. The jubilee 20th edition of this festival takes place this year between 20 and 26 September.
This year also marks a golden jubilee for the city itself: 20 September 1959 was the date of the official opening of Velenje's new town centre. This is also why 20 September is an official holiday in the municipality of Velenje. The 50th anniversary celebrations taking place in the city this year mean that cultural activity will be richer than ever, with cultural events at almost every step and for every taste.
 
   

 

Občina Velike Lašče

 







 

 

Velikolaška dežela

Valovita pokrajina, porasla z mešanimi gozdovi, vasice, ki so ohranile domačnost in prvotno podobo, in prebivalci, ki se še danes ukvarjajo s številnimi starimi, tradicionalnimi obrtmi, so značilnosti občine Velike Lašče; ne pozabimo tudi na neokrnjeno naravo, bogato z različnimi lepotami, zaradi česar je pokrajina primerna za kmečki turizem in pohodništvo.
Velikolaško deželo smemo upravičeno imenovati zibelko slovenske knjige in kulture. Tu so se rodili Primož Trubar, pisec prve slovenske knjige, Fran Levstik, ki je predvsem znan kot avtor znamenite povesti Martin Krpan, ter pesnika, pripovednika, dramatika in esejista Josip Stritar in Jože Javoršek.
Bogata kulturna dediščina obiskovalcu velikolaške dežele ponuja ogled gradu Turjak, Trubarjeve domačije na Rašici, Stritarjeve kašče v Podsmreki, Ilijevega kozolca v Dolnjih Retjah, sušilnice sadja na Gradežu pri Turjaku …
Naši kraji so znani tudi po bogati sakralni dediščini, kot je npr. cerkev Marije Kraljice Angelov na Veliki Slevici s čudovitimi baročnimi oltarji, cerkev sv. Primoža in Felicijana na Zgončah, cerkev sv. Ahca na Gori in cerkev sv. Lenarta v Krvavi Peči, ter po številnih naravnih znamenitostih, med katerimi izstopajo Kobliji curek – najdaljši dolenjski slap, Bajdinški slapovi ter številni kraški pojavi – izviri, brezna, kraške jame. Področje je zelo privlačno za pohodništvo. Prepredeno je s petimi tematskimi potmi, Velikolaško kulturno potjo, Pešpotjo ob rimskih zapornih zidovih (Claustra), Učno gozdno potjo Turjak – Rašica, Turjaško turistično potjo in Turistično potjo Rašica – Kurešček, tod pa potekata tudi dve Evropski pešpoti E6 in E7.

Občina Velike Lašče, Levstikov trg 1, 1315 Velike Lašče
T: + 386 1 781 03 70; F: + 386 1 781 03 65; E: obcina.velike-lasce@siol.net; http://www.velike-lasce.si

Javni zavod Trubarjevi kraji, Rašica 69, 1315 Velike Lašče
T: +386 1 788 10 06; F: +386 1 788 16 86; e-pošta: info@trubarjevi-kraji.si; www.trubarjevi-kraji.si
 

Velikolaška Country

The undulating landscape, overgrown with mixed woodland, villages which look unchanged and have kept their homely feel, and the inhabitants who up to this day still occupy themselves with countless traditional crafts, are the trademarks of the municipality of Velike Lašče – not to mention the untouched countryside, rich with natural beauty and ideal for farm tourism and walking trips.
We can justifiably call the Velikolaška area the cradle of Slovene culture and literature. Primož Trubar, the author of the first Slovene book; Fran Levstik, who is generally recognized for his famous story of Martin Krpan; the poet, dramatist, story teller and essayist Josip Stritar and likewise Jože Javoršek were all born here.
The rich cultural heritage offers the visitor to Velike Lašče views of Turjak Castle, Trubar’s residence on Rašica, Stritar’s granary in Podsmreka, Illi’s hayrack in Doljne Retje, the fruit dryer at Gradež pri Turjaku…
Our sites are also well known for their sacral heritage, for example the Church of Marija Kraljica Angelov (Mary Queen of Angels) at Velika Slevnica, which has beautiful Baroque altars; the Church of Sv. Primož and Felicijan (Sts Primus and Felician) at Zgonče; the Church of Sv. Ahac na Gori (St Achatius on the mountain Gora) and the Church of Sv. Lenart (St Leonard) in Krvava Peč, as well as many other natural monuments, among which are the Kobilji curek waterfall, the highest in the Doljenska region; the Bajdinški waterfall; and many karstic phenomena – springs, chasms and caves.
This area is very attractive for walkers. Five themed routes weave through the countryside: the Velikolaško Cultural Route; walks beside the Roman prison walls (Claustra); the Turjak Educational Woodland Route – Rašica; the Turjak tourist route; and the Rašica tourist route – Kurešček, from where two other European routes, the E6 and E7, are accessible.

Občina Velike Lašče, Levstikov trg 1, 1315 Velike Lašče
T: + 386 1 781 03 70; F: + 386 1 781 03 65; E: obcina.velike-lasce@siol.net; http://www.velike-lasce.si

Javni zavod Trubarjevi kraji, Rašica 69, 1315 Velike Lašče
T: +386 1 788 10 06; F: +386 1 788 16 86; e-pošta: info@trubarjevi-kraji.si; www.trubarjevi-kraji.si

 

   

 

Občina Žalec

 

 Občina Žalec je gospodarsko, upravno in kulturno središče Spodnje Savinjske doline. Dolina je po vsem svetu znana predvsem po gojenju hmelja, zaradi katerega jo opisujejo kot »dolino zelenega zlata«. Občina Žalec se razprostira na 117 km2 ter ima okoli 20.500 prebivalcev.
Decembra 2009 je bil v Žalcu v prostorih nekdanje sušilnice ob Inštiutu za hmeljarstvo in pivovarstvo Slovenije odprt Ekomuzej hmeljarstva in pivovarstva Slovenije, ki je edini tovrstni muzej v državi.
Prav v Novem Celju, oziroma v njegovi okolici, pa se je v 70-ih letih 19. stoletja začela pisati novodobna zgodovina hmeljarstva. Takrat so se knezi Salmi, lastniki posestva v Novem Celju, začeli ukvarjati z mislijo, kako izboljšati dohodke svojega posestva. Z Bavarske so poklicali hmeljarja Jurija Petra Hörnesa iz Herschberga ob Bodenskem jezeru, ki je v nove agrarne kulture ob dvorcu uvajal vrtnarja in grajskega oskrbnika Josipa Bilgerja. Ta je tu uspešno uredil prvi nasad württemberškega hmelja in s tem utemeljil dejavnost, ki Spodnji Savinjski dolini še vedno daje prepoznaven pečat. 		Žalec is the seat of the municipal government as well as the business and cultural centre of the Lower Savinjska valley. The valley is known worldwide mostly for growing hops, which is why many call it the »valley of the green gold«. The Žalec municipality extends over 117 km2 and has around 20,500 inhabitants.
In December 2009, the Eco-Museum of Hop-Growing and Beer-Brewing was opened in the old hop drying plant next to the Institute for Hop Research and Brewing; it is the only museum of its kind in Slovenia.
It was exactly here in Novo Celje, or rather in its surroundings, that the recent hop-growing history was written, starting in the 1870s. That was when the princes of Salm, landlords of Novo Celje, started thinking about ways to raise the income of their estate. They summoned the Bavarian hop grower Jurij Peter Hörnes from Herschberg on Lake Constance, who instructed the gardener and castle caretaker Josip Bilger in growing the new agricultures. He planted the first successful plantation of Württemberg hops and thus established a new branch of industry, which to this day gives the Lower Savinjska valley a special flair.