Cultural heritage
For everyone who wishes to discover Slovenj Gradec more deeply, through the stories of people, objects and time that have shaped the character of the town and the wider Carinthia region.
CHURCH OF ST. GEORGE
In Legen, about one kilometre away, stands the pre-Romanesque early medieval Church of St. George, with clearly visible Old Slavic graves and finds from the Celtic cultural sphere dating back to the 9th century.
Particularly interesting is a round bronze decorative brooch depicting a peacock as an early Christian symbol of immortality. The outstanding presentation of the discovered archaeological remains can be viewed through glass floor panels.
CHURCH OF ST. BARBARA IN LEGEN
The Church of St. Barbara in Legen is one of those quiet, slightly hidden gems best discovered while wandering through the countryside above Slovenj Gradec. Set high on Pohorje, in a peaceful green environment, it first speaks to visitors through its secluded location, and then through the sense of antiquity reflected in its architecture. The late Gothic church, dedicated to St. Barbara, the patron saint of miners, also recalls the times when Pohorje ore, tonalite and Pohorje marble were extracted in this area. Its appearance blends beautifully with the surrounding landscape, making a stop here enjoyable both for lovers of cultural heritage and for hikers seeking peaceful views and authentic Pohorje trails.
A visit to the Church of St. Barbara can be a short independent trip or part of exploring the Berneker Trail, which leads past the church towards the ruins of the birthplace of sculptor Franc Berneker and onwards through the characteristic Pohorje countryside.
PAUČEK PARTISAN HOSPITALS
The Pauček Partisan Hospitals is the collective name for six simple, secret Partisan hospital complexes built in western Pohorje by the Partisan doctor Dr Ivan Kopač – Pauček (1916–1988), with the help of local activists, members of the Liberation Front and Partisans from various units.
Only the hospital with the secret name Trška gora has been preserved; the occupying forces never managed to discover it.
CARINTHIAN REGIONAL MUSEUM SLOVENJ GRADEC
The Carinthian Regional Museum Slovenj Gradec is an excellent choice for everyone who wishes to discover Slovenj Gradec more deeply, through the stories of people, objects and time that have shaped the character of the town and the wider Carinthia region. In a pleasant town setting, it takes visitors among traces of the past, from the oldest archaeological finds to objects of everyday life, art, crafts and the cultural features of the area. The museum is not only a place of exhibitions, but also a place of memory, where visitors can sense how the people of this region once lived, created, worked and thought.
A visit to the museum beautifully complements a walk through the old town centre of Slovenj Gradec, as it places the cultural heritage encountered in the town streets into a broader and more vivid context. History, ethnology, art and local identity intertwine throughout the exhibitions, making the museum suitable for curious individuals as well as families, groups and visitors who wish to devote more than just a short stop to the town. The Slovenj Gradec Museum is an invitation to a calm discovery of Carinthia, its stories, creativity and heritage, which still give the town its special character today.