Just one look and you can tell right away that Slovenia is a rather small country. Most of the time, when someone asks you to name the third-largest city in a country, you wouldn’t have a hard time saying it out loud right away. But no one would blame you if a town named Celje doesn’t even ring a bell.
With the green countryside surrounding this town located near the heart of the country, Celje is scenic and peaceful at the same time. This is probably because not a lot of people touring Slovenia even bother to visit the town. But if you are shopping around for some luxury real estate in Slovenia, the town is a place that you might want to consider.
Unlike the outdoor destinations and mountains of Slovenia, you don’t often need more than two days just to explore the towns and cities of the country. This is also applicable in this case because even just a day in Celje is enough to see, explore, and experience almost everything that the town has to offer.
To make things even better, you wouldn’t even grow bored even if you stay just a bit longer, mostly because of the surrounding countryside.
For you to get an idea of what awaits you once you buy a luxury property in Celje and move there for good, here are some of the top attractions of this lovely Slovenian town:
Grmada
Any part of Slovenia would never be much of a destination if there are no great spots perfect for outdoor activities right in the midst of Mother Nature. As far as Celje is concerned, this area is the tiny mountain of Grmada located on the hillside just south of the city.
The mountain Grmada, located south of the city Celje.
Gramada’s peak reaches 718 meters, which makes it a manageable climb if you are coming from town. Anywhere you go through the hillside, you will find hiking trails as well as some roads that are made and designed to be suitable for those who prefer to ride their road bikes while exploring the place.
Even if there are many hiking routes that you can enjoy trekking during the warmer days of summer, the place also serves as the home to some ski slopes once the winter months come.
Old Celje Castle
Talks about Celje luxury real estate will never be complete without discussing Old Celje Castle, which is probably one of the highlights of visiting this town.
Known as Celjski Grad or Stari Grad Celje in Slovenian, this ruin of a castle watches over the entire town from its snug perch on top of a hill.
Dating as far back as the 12th century and later on abandoned during the 18th century, it is a blessing for everyone that it remains standing to this day. This castle easily rivals the rest of the castles you can see all over Slovenia.
The Old Celje Castle, where the Counts of Celje resided.
This old hilltop castle owes its importance and size to the Counts of Celje who were responsible for enhancing its fortifications and transforming it into something that is suitable enough to serve as a place of residence.
Once you step inside the castle, you will hear legends about its buried treasures and its past residents and learn its history. You can also explore every nook and cranny of its courtyard, towers, walls, and grounds.
When the months are warmer, a “Living History” program is hosted by the Eastern Inner Ward with fencing, archery, and more. Old Celje Castle also serves as the host to concerts and a medieval festival right in the central courtyard every August.
Something you can always enjoy no matter what time of the year it is would be none other than the city’s panoramic views. These views alone are more than worth the trip to Celje if you ever ask those who were lucky enough to visit.
Savinja River
If you have been traveling around Slovenia for some time now, you might have already noticed that rivers have a major role to play in many cities of the country. For instance, there is the Ljubljanica River in Ljubljana, Dravar in Maribor, and if you are in Celje, there is Savinja.
River Savinja flows through Celje.
Contrasted against the lush forest and green riverbanks, the Savinja River is no doubt a sight to behold. The Town Park is running along the riverbank on the side of the city which makes it a great spot for going on a pleasant and relaxing stroll. This is also the best place to be if you want to get a picture-perfect view of Celje Castle.
The Old Counts Mansion
The Regional Museum of the town is one of the main highlights in the center of Celje. The Celje Regional Museum is housed within the Old Counts Mansion and the nearby Princely Palace and is a major landmark of the area. This is known for its ties to the acclaimed Counts of Celje who helped shape Slovenia during the latter part of the Middle Ages.
Even if you cannot explore the museum’s local history exhibits, you will surely be more than contented with just admiring the charming portico arcades adorning the façade of the Old Counts Mansion.
The Old Town of Celje
The Old Town is the natural starting point during a visit to Celje. Although most parts of the town right now are modern, the Old Town still holds a kernel of history. It still boasts of a unique character in itself despite being small compared to the historical center of Ljubljana.
Celje’s Old Castle Celje is worth visiting.
While most of Celje’s architecture wasn’t as mind-blowing, it still boasts a sense of grandeur common in central Europe. When you walk through the town’s main streets, you will notice the buildings’ subtle dignity. One building that leaves a good impression is none other than the art nouveau Celjski Dom or also known as the German House.
There are still many smaller sights in Celje and you can explore all of them once you find the perfect luxury real estate for you.
