The Knežji dvor, or Princely Palace, was built on Roman foundations. In its cellars, you can experience the largest in-situ presentation of the remains of Roman Celeia, covering more than 1,000 square metres. Celje’s past is revealed not only in the form of a building, but also in the finds preserved beneath it.

From Keleia to the Renaissance and Middle Ages

The Celje archaeological site traces the city’s development from the Celtic settlement of Keleia to the Roman municipium of Claudia Celeia. Part of the site is open to the public through the “Mesto pod mestom” (“City Beneath the City”) exhibition. There, you can see ancient streets, mosaics and architecture. The early Christian baptistery also offers insight into one of the oldest proofs of Christianity in Slovenia. It has been preserved as an archaeological monument and is considered a rare surviving and confirmed example of Late Antique sacred architecture in the country. As visiting arrangements may change, check access information in advance.

You can encounter a different architectural era at Stara grofija, a Renaissance palace that houses the Celje Regional Museum. It is also home to the Celje Ceiling, a rare example of secular illusionistic painting in Slovenia. Celje Castle adds a medieval accent: it is the largest medieval castle in Slovenia. In the warmer months, it hosts living history programmes with cultural and historical associations from across Slovenia. Here, enduring buildings and works of art sit alongside a seasonal insight into culture and history.

Calvary on Jožefov hrib is another historic attraction: it consists of four of the original five chapels and a Golgotha group. The U4 artists’ quarter reveals a contemporary cultural side of Celje. The creative space is currently home to ten artists, and the gallery is run by artists.

Personal Stories and Photography

The Alma M. Karlin Memorial House has been open in the house in Pečovnik since 2014. The permanent exhibition “The Lonely Journey of Alma M. Karlin” takes you through authentic living spaces and displays personal belongings, photographs and documents. The preserved rooms and objects give the exhibition a tangible setting, while its title focuses attention on one individual.

The Pelikan Photo House dates from 1899 and is an outpost of the Museum of Recent History Celje. The house retains a skylight studio where photography can still take place. The “V gosteh pri fotografu Pelikanu” programme also includes portrait photography in the glass photo studio. Programme details may change; check them before your visit.

Routes and Experiences in Every Season

For time in the green, the city forest offers 14 kilometres of well-maintained walking trails. Creative workshops, concerts, poetry evenings and exhibitions take place in the treehouse. In the city park, a newly built walking path runs alongside a lime-tree-lined avenue. The White Trail in the city park is suitable for walkers, runners, cyclists and pets. The routes and activities offer different experiences, balancing peaceful exercise with an events programme.

Celjska Koča also has a clear seasonal rhythm. In winter, it offers a ski area and a toboggan run; in summer, there are numerous hiking and cycling trails. The summer “Celjski dirkač” bobkart track is 800 metres long. As seasonal operations may vary, check what is available for your travel dates. Science, technology and innovation are another area of focus at Tehnopark Celje.

Getting Around Celje

Celje railway station is close to the old town and can help you find your bearings when you arrive. The city’s Centralka map and app combines payment of parking fees, purchase of public transport tickets and bicycle hire. If you are considering a cycling trip, the route from Celje to Laško starts at the Park and Ride car park. Most of the 12-kilometre route follows a cycle path on the left bank of the Savinja. This information makes the route easy to follow without specifying a particular walking or cycling time.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Celje, Vojnik, Štore, Dobrna, Nova Cerkev, Ravne Na Koroškem, Šmarje Pri Jelšah, Kranj.

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