Continue to two churches

After seeing selected collections in the former town house, go past the sculpture dedicated to the local painter Jože Tisnikar (5), and head for the site that the statue of the Venetian horse (6) is directed at. When you cross Trg svobode square, which is often the venue for town events, stop on its other side next to the two churches. The bigger one from 1251, is the first church in the world, which is dedicated to St. Elisabeth (7). Among other valuables, there is also a window made in memory of Hugo Wolf, a famous composer born in Slovenj Gradec. The neighbouring Church of Holy Spirit (8), first mentioned in 1428, is a fine example of Gothic architecture. The path between the churches leads to the indicated course of the medieval walls with a moat.

(Recommended time for a stop: 25 minutes); (From this to the next point: 1 minute)

At the rectory of the first museologist

Return to Trg svobode square. On the left, you will notice the rectory (9) with statues of two important spiritual men. Jakob Soklič (1893 – 1972) is considered to be the first museologist of the area. The rectory was a real cultural centre of the town in his time. Franc Ksaver Meško (1874 – 1964) is an important Koroška writer who worked as a priest in Sela above Slovenj Gradec.

(From this to the next point: 4 minutes)

Among famous townspeople

At the end of Trg svobode square, turn left onto Glavni trg main square, where monuments to prominent townspeople are lined up. Memorial plaques on the facade of the  Slovenj Gradec Hotel (10) indicate that Josef Potočnik, a military doctor and the father of the pioneer of space techniques Herman Potočnik Noordung, as well as the poet Ernst Goll were born in this house . A little further on, you will see the entrance to an interesting museum collection about the Štirje kovači ensemble (11), a legendary music band that has been operating continuously for more than 60 years.

(Recommended time for a stop: 30 minutes); (From this to the next point: 1 minute)

To the famous composer of solo

Across the street is a house of different music. In one of the most beautiful Baroque houses in the town centre, built at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, Hugo Wolf, a cosmopolitan composer of late romantic solo song was born. On the inside of the courtyard, on the first floor, there is a wooden balcony called gank. Tombstones and a memorial plaque, which was once on the front of the house, are built into the wall. Here is the International Hugo Wolf Information and Documentation Centre (12).The memorial exhibition displays Wolf’s life and work.

(Recommended time for a stop: 10 minutes, exhibition: 30 minutes); (From this to the next point: 1 minute)

Among fountains of life and honey

Head back to the town core on the left side of the Main Square. The entrance to Honey Heaven Perger 1757 (14) is between two of the three Fountain of Life sculptures (13), created by Mirko Bratuša. The ninth generation of the Perger family preserves the remarkable heritage of gingerbread, lectar and candle making. Enter the store.

A Tip:  At this shop of lovely honey goodies, you can also arrange a guided tour of their gingerbread gallery and museum, which is outside the centre.

(Recommended time for a stop: 15 minutes); (From this to the next point: 2 minutes)

From the old pharmacy to a different bookstore

When you notice the pharmacy sign, look at the 17th-century house. The pharmacy (15) has been operating in this building since 1779. Turn left into the underpass, which houses an exhibition of former pharmacy props. The path leads further on to the atrium of Andeški hram (16) with glass sculptures by Matijaž Gostečnik on display. Andeški hram is home to a multi-generation centre and Meškova bukvarna, where a book lovers’ society organizes book exchanges. Here is also the first Koroška escape room (17), where you can discover the secrets of the town in tense adventure games by prior arrangement.

(Recommended time for a stop: 10 minutes); (From this to the next point: 2 minutes)

Along the high wallst to the town manor

Go through the second underpass and head across Cankarjeva ulica street. The steps lead to the medieval town walls (18) – the highest preserved walls in Slovenia. In some places, they are four meters high. Here is a beautiful view of the Church of St. Pancras with the Stations of the Cross and Uršlja gora in the background.

From the walls, return to the parking lot. To the left you see the towers of the Rotenturn Manor (19). Step into its atrium. The arcaded courtyard of the manor, which served to defend the town against the invading Turks in the 15th century, is the most beautiful venue for town events.

(Recommended time for a stop: 15 minutes); (From this to the next point: 1 minute)

Mastery. Freedom. Peace.

When you exit the atrium, turn left. At the junction head right into Šolska ulica street where you will find Levovnik Cobbler’s Workshop (20). See the museum collection in one of the oldest preserved shoemaking workshops in Slovenia. At the end of Šolska ulica street, head back to Glavni trg square where you will see the third Fountain of Life sculpture (13) on the left side. Cross the road and continue along the Main Square in the same direction to the Freedom Monument (21). Walk on to the junction where you will see the statue of Mahatma Gandhi (22) in the park opposite the post office.  From here, return to the starting point of your tour along the Main Square.

A Tip: At the entrances to the town centre, there are still renovated restaurants with rich culinary offer. In selected bars, treat yourself to the town’s popular Wolf coffee, roasted according to a special recipe and served with plenty of cream.