Velenje, the largest town in the Šaleška valley is one of the most economically developed industrial centres of Slovenia today. Praise for such development goes to the economy of the valley, mainly Premogovnik Velenje, Gorenje, and many other economic and non-economic organizations. The oldest remains testify to the population of the region in the earlier Paleolithic. The roman post station Upellae should be located somewhere on the site of present-day Velenje, which, together with Colatiom (Stari trg by Slovenj Gradec) stood at an important road connection between Celeo and Virunumom (Zollfeld/Gosposvetsko polje).
In the Middle Ages, the first important written sources about castles begin to emerge, which in the later history played an important role in the valley. In the 18th century, the leather business begins to develop. From 1788 the leather family Vošnjak from Šoštanj played a leading role in it. The Velenje coalmine and Šoštanj tannery are responsible for the construction of the railway, which in 1891 connected Velenje with Celje. Velenje has received its city statute on the 20th September, 1959, and thus officially became the youngest city in the former Yugoslavia.
Where to spend free time?
Although we are an industrial city, it is necessary to point out that the townspeople take good care of our environment! If you want to spend your free time in nature, then go to the places surrounding the Velenje lakes, or an area of the Tourist Recreation Centre Jezero (TRC). You can spend time on the courts for volleyball, basketball, football and mini golf. You can also choose sailing, boating or diving. By the lake, you will also find the sports hall Bela dvorana, a fitness studio and tennis courts. Adjacent to Bela dvorana is an auto camp, with all associated infrastructure. Both lakes, Škale and Velenje, are connected with landscaped walking paths, as well as allow fishing.
For more information about events at the lake, please call the following telephone number: +386-3-5866-600
Lodging
You will find the most budget-friendly lodging in the Youth Hostel Velenje, near the dorm. It is located under the Šalek castle, which, because of its triangular shape, stands as a unique example in Slovenia.
Info: Hostel Velenje, Efenkova 61a, 3320 Velenje, phone: 0592-34-600 and 041 859-692
Restaurants
- McDonald’s
- Jezero restaurant
- Hotel Paka
- Herberstein villa
- Hipermarket Mercator
- Delavski klub DK
- Arkada
Events throughout the year
We would like to emphasize that we are a city with a youthful energy which provides the visitor with interesting and enjoyable events! So, when to come and visit?
Each month, we organize many events, and a lot of them have already become traditional.
- January: International Open Championship in Slovenian Table Tennis
- May: Flower Fair and the Days of Youth and Culture;
- July: 3.7. jump over the skin, the Miner's Day
- July: music entertainment event Night at the lake
- August: Kunigunda (festival of youth cultures) and the Zither festival, Graz mountains singing and playing (Graška gora poje in igra),
- September: Pika Festival
- October: sailing regatta for the cup of Velenje
- December: Happy December and New Year's Eve, celebrated outdoor
How to reach Velenje?
The cheapest way to travel to Velenje is by train. Unfortunately, there is no train on the destination Celje - Velenje on Sundays. In that case you will have no choice but to go the distance with a slightly more expensive bus journey.
If you choose to arrive by car, then you need to drive on the highway Ljubljana - Maribor and take the Žalec exit. From there, it is a 15-minute drive to Velenje. The first major facility in our city which you cannot miss on arrival is the building called the Red Hall (Rdeča dvorana), located next to the Mercator centre. The building can serve as a good landmark and you can also park your car without charge next to it.
TIC (Tourist - Information Centre), where you will learn all the necessary information about the city is located near the Red Hall at Villa Bianca. TIC can also organize tours around Velenje and the surrounding area at your request. It is also possible to rent bicycles for free for a whole day.
Info: Turistično-informacijski center Velenje, Vila Bianca, Stari trg 3, 3320 Velenje, tel:03-8961-860, e-pošta:
tic@velenje.si
SEE YOU IN VELENJE!
Silvija Bašnec in Uroš Ivančič
