TOURIST OFFER
CELJE
City of the Counts, Celje, has always found itself at the junction of some important routes. Even today, their castle, the country’s largest medieval fort, rises above the town. You can visit it any day in the year. You can feel the joy of life in the old town, and just like the Counts enjoy all the good things. Have a look in the Tourist Information Centre and find information about the museums, galleries, city districts and trails that lead from the centre to the green hinterland of Celje. Or would you prefer to be impressed by the exhibition about the Counts of
Celje, pose in the Pelikan Photo Atelier or rather explore the heritage of ancient Celeia named “Troia Secunda” (thesecond Troy). In the City Beneath the City you can see how the famous Counts of Celje grew into messengers of humanism and the Renaissance in Slovenia by integrating ancient statues into the medieval walls and the architecture. Enter this Celje time machine and learn more about the history of
Celje.
OLD CASTLE CELJE
Discover hidden parts of the castle, feel the power of history and experience the life of one of the most powerful European families of the Late Middle Ages. Guided by 11 information boards along the castle complex, you will be able to discover the castle and unveil its history on your own.
CELJE HALL
The former GermanDeutsches Haus on Krekov trg was built in a Neo-Gothic style. It was constructed in 1905 and 1906 by the German inhabitants of Celje to act as a counterweight to the Slovenian Community Centre (Narodni dom). Until the dissolu – tion of former Austria-Hungary, it was deemed the social centre of the local German bourgeoisie.
THE NEO-RENAISSANCE CELJE COMMUNITY CENTER
The Neo-Renaissance Celje Community Centre located at Trg celjskihknezov (Counts of Celje Square) was built in 1895 and 1896 and designed by Czech architect Vladimir Hrasky. In the former Habsburg Monarchy, the Community Centre constituted the cultural and social centre of the Slovenian bourgeoisie in Celje, whereas nowadays it houses the Urban Municipality of Celje.
PRINCELY PALACE
In the 14th and 15th centuries, it served as the residence of the Counts of Celje. After they died out, the building housed the Prince’s or Grand Duke’s office and, in the mid-18th century, was refurbished into a barracks. The building as it is known today has experienced significant changes, most radically during the reign of Empress MariaTheresa. Nowadays, a part of the Princely Palace the Celje Gallery of Contemporary Art and two permanent exhibitions of the Celje Regional Museum: the Celeia – a town beneath today’s town archaeological
exhibition space and the Counts of Celje Exhibition.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS AT MAIN SQUARE AND TOURIST INFORMATIONS CENTRE
During the refurbishment of the Glavni trg (Main Square), the rooms of two urban Roman villas and a Roman road with a colonnade-covered pavement were examined. The two villas were lavishly furnished with wall paintings, floor mosaics and a hypocaust system. Part of the archaeological discoveries is presented in situ and can be seen at the Pavilion for Presentation of Archaeological Remains for which the town received the most coveted cultural heritage conservation and
restoration award in Europe – the European Heritage Award/ Europa Nostra Award
2019.
CITY HALL (Museum of Recent History Celje)
The City Hall dating back to the 17th century marks one of the most prominent buildings in the city centre, unique for its Renaissance core and Classical façade with a balcony. During the first half of the 19th century, it was subject to extensive rebuilding for City Hall purposes, whereas nowadays it houses the Museum of Recent History Celje and the only museum for children in Slovenia, Herman’s
Den.
CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY AERTS CELJE
As one of the most important cultural institutions of this kind in
Slovenia, the Center for Contemporary Arts Celje supports the development and promotion of contemporaryarts and curating.
TEHNOPARK CELJE
Celje prides on the largest science entertainment centre in Slovenia. Spanning several floors, it offers rich interactive contents and numerous exhibits that present in an informative and attractive manner the natural phenomena, electricity, structure and operation of the human body, “reality of illusions”, and technological challenges of the future.
TROPICAL HOUSE: AN OASIS OF NATURE IN THE HEART OF THE TOWN
In Celje’s Tropical House, the visitors can take a tour of five different ecosystems from across the world with numerous species of animals and plants.
CELJSKA KOČA (CELJE HUT) WITH ITS ADVENTURE PARK
Celjska koča is an attractive finish line for bikers and hikers, as settled and marked paths lead up to it. If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, you can visit the Adventure Park with training ranges for people of all ages and the bob cart summer toboggan run, offering an 800 m fast or easygoing ride. For winter leisure, there is a ski run equipped for artificial snow and with lighting fornight skiing.
LAKE ŠMARTINSKO JEZERO
This lake is a meeting point for leisure, sports and fun on the water. There is a well-maintained walking and cycling trail around the lake. While exploring, you can refresh in one of the pubs or sit with your
feet up on a waterfront bench. If your body calls for water more than for a footpath, then just take a boat, a kayak or a pedal boat. You can also go for stand-up-paddling or simply decide to jump into the water when the sun above Celje is just right for that.
CITY FOREST AND ITS TREE HOUSE
Where a modest treeobservatory once stood, you will now find the country’s largest magical tree house towering in the Celje City Forest canopy. Made entirely of local wood, it is wonderfully integrated in its wooded surroundings. Open for both individuals and groups, it is usually visited by families, school groups or visitors in search for a unique nature experience. You can complement your experience by visiting events such as workshops, concerts, poetry nights taking
place in the house and nearby.
