In Šentjur Pri Celju, archaeological remains, historic sites and nature experiences offer distinct options to consider when planning your trip. Choose from an archaeological walk, cultural attractions, and hiking or cycling routes. Events also provide a specific reason to plan your visit around certain dates: Šentjurjevo takes place annually in late April, and Martinovi dnevi is held around the feast day of Saint Martin.
Archaeology and local history
The Rifnik Archaeological Park is located at the site of Slovenia’s largest Late Antique settlement. Visitors can see the foundations of two early Christian churches, seven houses, and fortifications with watchtowers. There is also a well or water reservoir and a reconstructed prehistoric house. The park is open year-round; check current access information before your visit. The “Rifnik and Its Treasures” exhibition offers a closer look: its 185 m² of exhibition space displays more than 650 archaeological objects.
The Southern Railway Museum in Šentjur also explores the history of a different subject. Housed in the Franz Josef railway office, it displays extensive archival material and railway installations dating from 1844 onwards. Ipavčeva hiša is now a museum and a protocol venue for the municipality. Its interior is decorated in the spirit of the 19th century, with artefacts from that period.
The historic market centre of Zgornji trg is where the settlement began, around the Church of Saint George: the settlement is first mentioned in 1340. The restored market centre was named Slovenia’s most beautiful market centre in 2015. In Ponikva stands the parish Church of Saint Martin, a Baroque church of the Sladka Gora type. It was built between 1732 and 1758 and consecrated two years later. Visitors can tour the restored birthplace of Anton Martin Slomšek year-round; check access arrangements before your trip.
Lake, gorge and trails
Lake Slivnica covers 84 hectares, is five kilometres long, and was created in 1976 by damming the Dobrina and Ločnica streams. The lake and its surroundings are suitable for water sports, walks and cycling; rare animal and plant species can also be observed. The habitat is home to around 130 bird species and 32 fish species, as well as crayfish, lampreys, frogs, mussels and some rare plant species. If you are planning a specific activity at the lake, check the latest local information.
The Šentjur Tour cycling route is a 42-kilometre loop on asphalt and gravel. Surface conditions and route conditions may change, so it is worth checking the latest information before setting off. One hiking option with a stated duration is the “Doživljajska Grajska učna pot Žusem” (Žusem Castle Experience Trail): the circular route is nine kilometres long and includes four stops or adventure playgrounds; the stated walking time is four hours. The themed “Na poti z Guzajem” trail runs from Prevorje via Planina pri Sevnici to Dobje pri Planini. You can divide it into three shorter routes or complete the whole trail in one day. This information can help you weigh up different time commitments without assuming a particular difficulty level.
Vilinska dolina is a gorge carved by the Kozarica stream in a Natura 2000 area and a habitat for the protected stone crayfish. Activities include mindful walking in the water and swimming in river pools and natural basins; prior arrangements may be required. If you are looking for a hiking destination, Resevna is a 682-metre-high mountain with an observation tower, mountain hut and swing. Zgornji trg’s chestnut park has sensory play equipment. The school nature trail and apiary includes an aquatic ecosystem with a pond, a meadow ecosystem with an orchard, an insect hotel, a permaculture bed, a herb garden and a forest ecosystem.
Events and getting there
Šentjurjevo is a multi-day event in late April, featuring a market for local produce and products, a “Šentjurjeve kisle župe” sour soup cooking competition, concerts, sports events, a children’s programme and an exhibition of historic cars and motorcycles. Dates and programmes may vary from year to year. Martinovi dnevi na Ponikvi takes place from Friday to Sunday around the feast day of Saint Martin, the parish’s patron saint. It begins with a tasting of young wine; an exhibition is open throughout the event. Here too, check the dates for your travel year.
The Šentjur Tour destination is on the Southern Railway line. There are five railway stations in the area: Šentjur, Grobelno, Ponikva, Ostrožno and Dolga Gora. Most regional trains allow bicycles; check whether this applies to your connection. The Municipality of Šentjur joined the KolesCE bike-sharing system in 2020; since then, nine bike-sharing stations have been available in Šentjur and the surrounding area. Check in advance which stations will be available on your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Šentjur, Razbor, Idrija, Cerknica, Russe, Velenje, Trebnje, Ruše.
View the broader travel overview: Slovenia.
