Metlika

Metlika, the little town in the southeastern part of Slovenia, is a real treasure trove of history, culture, and natural beauty. Just a few kilometers from Ljubljana, lies this magical place, with its old town center full of turbulent history.

History of Metlika and its coat of arms

Do you know the story of the coat of arms with the two ravens on the castle tower?
The old town center of Metlika retained its medieval look. The area where Metlika is located has been inhabited since prehistory and antiquity. Metlika, which was still called Novi trg v Metliki (Neumakrt) in the 14th century, received its town privileges before the year 1335. Among the town privileges were particularly important the rights to self-government, fortifications, and markets.
In 1408, the Ottomans attacked Metlika, looting and burning the town. Over the next 170 years, they returned 15 times to burn and pillage the town and its surroundings.
The story from the Ottoman incursions influenced the creation of the coat of arms of the Municipality of Metlika. How does the story go?

“In Pungart Castle lived a countess with a heart of stone. She took wheat, wine, and cattle from the farmers. Everyone who resisted was bound by the castle’s servants, thrown into the dungeon beneath the castle tower, and left forgotten. The countess from Pungart cursed as well. Every time she got angry, she cursed so that everything froze in terror and fear. Her curses had special power: everyone who was cursed by the countess was petrified. During the Ottoman incursion, Metlika was often attacked. They destroyed the farmers’ houses, but could not damage the Pungart Castle. The countess ordered the guard to wake up all servants if the Ottomans came close to the castle. One night the two guards fell asleep and the Ottomans climbed over the wall and broke into the castle. When the countess realized, that the Ottomans conquered her castle without a fight, she cursed the slumbering guards. Be damned you sleepy guards! You shall become - ravens! It happened instantly: the guards turned into ravens and croaked as they flew onto the castle's tower roof. The Ottomans burned the castle down and killed the evil countess. Pungart was in flames, only the castle tower remained intact. Night and day the two ravens, perched on the tower, croaking sadly.”(1997 Lojze Zupanc: The Girl and the Snake)

Mesmerizing squares and important names

On Mestni trg, with its typical medieval look, you find the most important buildings of the historic town: the Church of St. Nicholas, the Commandry, and the Provost’s House. The birth house of the sculptor Alojz Gangel and writer Engelbert Gangl and the first National Reading Society in Dolenjska (1865) is located on the square.
During your visit to Metlika, stop by Bela Krajina House of Local Delights, which offers a range of certified Bela Krajina Finest products and other items. Buy local wines, cheeses, cured meat, handmade chopping boards, and other items.
Mestni trg narrows at its exit and takes us to the largest square.

This is Trg Svobode with Metlika Castle at the highest point of the quay between the Obrh and Bojica Creeks. Medieval documents first mention it in 1338, but its design is likely much older. Inside the castle is a spacious courtyard surrounded by arcades. Within you can find the Tourist Information Center (TIC), Šturm Winery, and the distinguished Bela Krajina Museum, housing a 7000-year-old earthenware.
Do you wish to explore the ethnology of Bela Krajina? Then the Bela Krajina Museum is all you need. The life of the inhabitants until the 20th century, with painted Easter eggs, towels, folk costumes, and everyday tools, is interesting for every visitor.
Visit the Slovenian Fire Fighters' Museum of Dr. Branko Božič. In Metlika, on September 18, 1869, the First Fire Brigade in Slovenia was established.
The youngest square in the town center is Partizanski trg, as it stands in an area that was outside the walls during the Middle Ages. On the other side of the square is the birth house of the Navratil brothers.

Beside the Church of St. Nicholas in Metlika, you can find in Rosalnice near Metlika three Gothic churches called Three Parishes, built at the beginning of the 15th century and later remodeled in Baroque style The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows is decorated with pipe organs that were crafted in 1753 by Ioanesa Eisla in Ljubljana. The Three Parishes are important as a monument and pilgrimage site in Bela Krajina.
A few kilometers east from Metlika the village of Božakovo is found. The village rests atop the scenic Magdalena Wall, overlooking the Kolpa River.
Stop at the Otok Village, not far from the Kolpa River, and look at the airplane Douglas DC-3. The plane is from the Second World War and serves as a monument to the Partisan Airfield.
Not far from the plane lies Kučar Hill, an important archeological site, that offers a stunning view of the Kolpa River, surrounding fields, and Camping Bela Krajina.

Romantic Birch forests with bracken undergrowth

The Birch forests with bracken undergrowth are recognized as a typical cultural landscape of Bela Krajina. The typical cultural landscape developed with deforestation. Throughout history, Bela Krajina became known as the land of birches and undergrowth. Birch forests with bracken undergrowth are agricultural areas that are overgrown with birch trees, eagle ferns, and ground pines. White birch forests with bracken undergrowth, complement the biological diversity of Bela krajina with their specific plant groups, are slowly disappearing due to the abandonment of using litter for bedding in barns and modernization of farming practices.
Where can you still find them?
In Melika turn towards Drašiči Village, where you find yourself in the middle of bigger protected and therefore preserved Birch forests with bracken undergrowth, as the inhabitants of the villages of Slamna Vas, Boldraž, Vinomer, and Drašiči still use dried fern for livestock litter. Every year, they traditionally mow the bracken undergrowth and stack it into haystacks to dry. Besides the Birch Forest with bracken undergrowth in Vinomer, the Marindol birch forest with bracken undergrowth in the direction towards Vinica is also protected.
In addition to birches being important for the cultural landscape, they are also an important part of spring costumes. According to tradition, a young man is dressed in birch branches. Known as Green George he is paraded among the people and thus welcomes the arrival of spring. The Jurjevo ceremony is held every year in Črnomelj.

TOP 3 events in Metlika

Start the year with "Zaviranjem kola" (Wheel Dance) on "Vuzem". Would you happen to know what Vuzem is? It is the Bela Krajina word for Easter. Every Easter Monday, a crowd gathers in the square of Metlika, eagerly watching the performance of a folk dance group performing the Wheel Dance. Join us!
In May, the biggest wine festival in Slovenia takes place - Vinska Vigred. Wine lovers can taste the best local wines, and families with children amuse themselves at the amusement park behind the Castle. A lot of musicians take the stage.
Metlika hosts in October the festival Mlada Portugalka. Mlada Portugalka is a grape variety that quickly ripens, transforming into a young wine.