Ljutomer: Culture, Equestrian Sports and Wine

City history, equestrian sports and wine culture offer different focal points when planning a stay in Ljutomer. When looking for a hotel, you can choose based on whether architecture and historical context or horse racing and regional culinary culture are your priorities.

Old Town, Squares and Churches

Ljutomer’s old town lies below the Kamenščak hill. The town has four squares: Glavni trg, Stari trg, Miklošičev trg and Trg Jakoba Babiča. On Glavni trg stands a statue of the Immaculate Virgin Mary on a tall column dating from 1729. The square and monument provide a tangible historical connection to the town’s past.

The Church of St John the Baptist on Trg Jakoba Babiča dates from the late 17th century. The presbytery and bell tower are Gothic, while the church’s floor plan is Baroque and three-aisled. The building therefore brings Gothic architectural elements and a Baroque floor plan together. This combination is more informative for understanding its architecture than a single style label.

Equestrian Sports and Museum History

The Ljutomerski Kasač Museum and the trotting track are part of the Kasaški klub Ljutomer complex, which includes stables and a racetrack. The museum presents the history of horseshoeing and documents the first horse races in Slovenia, which took place in the area around Ljutomer in 1874. This is distinct from the club’s recurring activity: Kasaški klub holds eight trotting races each year. If you would like to include a race in your travel plans, check the event date in advance.

The Puh Museum’s collection on Janez Puh offers another museum connection. Puh is credited with 19 patents in road vehicle technology and six patents for typewriters. The patent figures cover two different fields of technology. Together with the museum collection, they offer a distinct way to learn about him, separate from the history of equestrian sports.

Wine Route, Prlekija and the Klopotec

You can explore the Jeruzalem Wine Route on foot, by bicycle, car or bus. The options range from walking and cycling to motorised transport, making it adaptable to different travel plans. Along the route, tourist farms offering accommodation, wine taverns, winemakers, makers of unique items and other providers welcome visitors year-round. If you plan to stay overnight at a farm, check availability with the provider in advance.

The cuisine of the Prlekija region is considered an important tourist attraction. There, inns and tourist farms serve dishes as house specialities. This regional connection complements the themes of the wine route without attributing the culinary description solely to the town of Ljutomer.

A klopotec is a wooden windmill mounted on a tall pole in a vineyard. Its noise is intended to scare birds away. The explanation of the klopotec helps make a cultural tradition of wine-growing areas clear: it is not a type of wine, but an object whose purpose is connected with the sounds it makes in the vineyard.

Grossmann Festival

The 21st edition of the Grossmann Festival took place in Ljutomer from 8 to 12 July 2026. It celebrated fantastic film, cult culture and acclaimed wines from the Prlekija region. The programme included wine tastings, exhibitions, concerts and workshops. These dates refer to this edition; for a later trip, check the dates of the relevant edition.

Discover more destinations: Veržej, Mala Nedelja, Banovci.

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