Historical Towns from 𝕭 to 𝖅
Nineteen Slovenian towns that have much in common, but also a wealth of individual special features
Žužemberk Castle by Jošt GantarSlovenian Tourist Board
🏰 Slovenian towns with an old spirit have come together as the Association of Historical Cities of Slovenia. They are proud of their rich architectural and cultural heritage, and of their original stories and individual pieces of history that have left an especially strong mark.
🏰 Did you know that as many as one third of Slovenian towns are protected as monuments?
Brežice Knight's hall, Brežice castle by Jaka CeglarSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕭) BREŽICE - with an astonishing knight hall
Today, Brežice Castle houses a museum where the Knight Hall, adorned by breathtaking Baroque frescoes, is a must-see.
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The Old Celje Castle in the Summer Evening (2019) by Andrej TarfilaSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕮) CELJE - the city of counts
Proudly standing on the hill above the city is Celje Castle, formerly the home of one of the most influential nobly families, the Counts of Celje. They say that the old castle was connected with the city and surroundings by four underground tunnels.
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Yard, Gewerkenegg castle by Miha Skrt, Združenje zgodovinskih mest SlovenijeSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕴) IDRIJA - UNESCO pearl
This remote little town is teeming with exceptional cultural and technical heritage elements. The oldest Slovenian mining town, with what used to be the second largest mercury mine in the world, also charms with its delicious žlikrofi dumplings and exquisite Idrija lace.
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Jesenice from Ajdna Hill by Aleš KrivecSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕵) JESENICE – the town of steel and flowers
The town embraced by Mežakla on one side and by Karavanke on the other tells stories about the ironworks tradition.
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Some know it as an ice hockey town, and others as a starting point for beautiful hikes – these are especially picturesque in spring, when the surrounding hills are covered in white daffodils.
Kamnik and Zaprice by Jošt GantarSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕶) KAMNIK - in the embrace of mountains
This picturesque town with an exceptional history and legends is also popular because of the scenic Velika Planina plateau that rises above it.
A shepherdess making the Trnič cheese at Velika Planina (2016-11-14) by Jošt GantarSlovenian Tourist Board
Shepherds have been living there for centuries, making dairy delicacies in traditional wooden huts.
Have you heard about trnič cheese?
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Koper from the sea by Miha SkrtSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕶) KOPER– the city of a hundred suns
The largest city of the Slovenian Littoral is adorned by medieval Venetian palaces. You are nevertheless only a step away from nature – the Škocjanski Zatok lagoon, where numerous birds have established their habitat, or the Istrian countryside, where enticing flavours mature.
Semedela promenade, wich connects the old and the new part of Koper, witha a view on the bay. Cargo ship and Dolomits in the background. by Jaka IvančičSlovenian Tourist Board
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Kostanjevica na Krki from the air by Michael MattiSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕶) KOSTANJEVICA NA KRKI – the smallest Slovenian town
Kostanjevica is the smallest Slovenian town and the only Slovenian town on an island. It is situated on a meander of the Krka River, offering great opportunities for various active and cultural experiences.
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Nearby is the renowned Cistercian monastery, which today houses the Božidar Jakac Gallery and exhibits from the Forma Viva sculpture symposiums.
Kranj panorama by Marko ArandjelovićSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕶) KRANJ – the cultural heart of Slovenia
The city above the canyon of the Kokra River is a true cultural epicentre. The greatest Slovenian poet, France Prešeren, left a strong mark there, and the local theatre is also named after him.
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Khislstein Castle stands tall atop the cliff, while underground tunnels, which today are a venue for exhibitions and other events, take you deep below the town.
Metlika by Jošt GantarSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕸) METLIKA - where time stands still
The Bela Krajina region and its landscape. These are areas of unique folklore, gastronomy and crafts. Who doesn't know about Bela Krajina Easter eggs and Saint George's Day, the colourful celebration of spring?
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Novo mesto by Jošt GantarSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕹) NOVO MESTO – the city of situlae
In Novo mesto, history can be felt at every corner as you stroll along the town's streets and squares.
The town is embraced by the green Krka River, which is crossed by many bridges, while two bell towers provide it with a distinctive view.
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Piran by Jacob Riglin, Beautiful DestinationsSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕻) PIRAN – Tartini's town
The town of art. Of musical art and art connected with the production of salt. Piran is not considered the most beautiful town on the Slovenian coast by chance.
Piran by Miha SkrtSlovenian Tourist Board
You will catch the most beautiful views of Piran from the town walls or the bell tower of St. George's Parish Church, while in Tartini Square you can admire the Benečanka House and wave to the sculpture of the renowned violinist and composer.
Ptuj Castle by Luka Karlin, Studio VircSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕻) PTUJ – the oldest Slovenian town
The town known for its playful carnival featuring the kurent figures, whose door-to-door rounds have been recognised by UNESCO, is also a place rich in history.
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It is the oldest town in Slovenia, with a character highlighted by Ptuj Castle, stories about wine and healing springs, and the wide bed of the Drava River, which flows by.
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𝕽) RADOVLJICA – the sweetest one
Why is it sweet? Because it is the cradle of Slovenian beekeeping and honey products, and also, recently, of chocolate. Chocolate has a festival of its own in this picturesque medieval town!
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𝖘) SLOVENJ GRADEC – peace messenger town
The ancient town, located in the basin between Pohorje and Uršlja gora and boasting with the title of “Peace Messenger City”, is a Slovenian synonym for a cultural center, where the rich tradition of the past lends a hand with a modern pulse.
Slovenske Konjice by Nejc SuhadolnikSlovenian Tourist Board
𝖘) SLOVENSKE KONJICE – the old market square town
This mediaeval town, embraced by vineyards and picturesque villages, will charm you with its numerous stories. A creek runs through the town, while your path will almost certainly take you to the magnificent St. George's Church.
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Šentjur by Nejc SuhadolnikSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕾) ŠENTJUR – the town along the railway
This town, which emerged along the southern Styrian Graz – Celje railway line, boasts a rich history and interesting local stories about rail transport.
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Škofja Loka by Miha SkrtSlovenian Tourist Board
𝕾) ŠKOFJA LOKA – the passion play town
Škofja Loka is the picturesque medieval setting of the Škofja Loka Passion Play, a cultural event inscribed on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Street thrub, Škofja Loka by Jošt GantarSlovenian Tourist Board
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Together with the surrounding villages of the Selca and Poljane valleys, it is treasure trove of old and new crafts.
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T) TRŽIČ – the town of shoemakers
Tržič is an old merchant and craft town in the shadow of mountain peaks and is mostly known for its rich shoemaking tradition. The heritage of shoemakers (šuštars) is on display in the Tržič Museum.
Tržič by Tom MacarolSlovenian Tourist Board
Novo mesto, castle Žužemberk by Mediaspeed, foto: Ernad IhtijarevićSlovenian Tourist Board
𝖅) ŽUŽEMBERK – the cradle of heroes
This old market square town stands on the meanders of the Krka River under a mighty castle.
Medieval dance at castle Žužemberk by Jošt GantarSlovenian Tourist Board
✏️ Story by: Slovenian Tourist Board
🔍 Sources:
Cities of culture - My way of experiencing city vibe.
Culture | I feel Slovenia
Slovenia Historic Towns
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