A historic town with an imposing castle, birthplace of the powerful Counts of Celje, offering a medieval atmosphere and beautiful views of the Savinja River.
Celje, the third largest city in Slovenia, lies at the confluence of the Savinja and Voglajna rivers in the heart of Styria. Its dominant feature is the expansive Celje Castle (Stari grad Celje), once the seat of the powerful Counts of Celje, whose coat of arms with three golden stars now adorns the Slovenian flag. A walk through the old town reveals a rich history dating back to Roman times, when the settlement was called Celeia.
In addition to the castle, from which there is a magnificent view of the surroundings, it is worth visiting the Princely Court (Knežji dvorec) with an exhibition on noble life, the local regional museum, or modern Celje. Architecture lovers will appreciate the Gothic Church of St. Daniel and the remnants of ancient walls. The city is an ideal destination for a day trip from Ljubljana (about an hour by car) and offers a calmer alternative to busier metropolises.
For Czech tourists, Celje is easily accessible via the highway from Ljubljana towards Maribor. In summer, swimming in the river or trips to the surrounding hills, typical Styrian vineyards, and thermal spas in Laško are attractive. The city has a pleasant café culture and a fairy-tale atmosphere during Advent.