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| [SLOVENSKO]
Rogatec is located in the southeastern part of Slovenia, where the southern slopes of the wine-producing Haloze hills roll into the green Posotelje valley. In this small stretch of land, wedged between the Donačka Gora mountain to the north and the Sotla river to the south, small but rare treasures of natural, cultural and historical heritage can be found. In the past, this was the meeting point of important transport and trade routes. Thanks to its advantageous position between the sub-Alpine belt and the Pannonian plain, the town of Rogatec was awarded market rights as far back as 700 years ago and is therefore one of the oldest market towns in Slovenia. The earliest record of settlement dates from Roman times. For most of its history, Rogatec was a town of craftsmen and traders; most recently, because of its natural characteristics, pristine nature and cultural and artistic monuments, the town has been investing in business, tourism and service activities. Traces of Rogatec's rich history are embedded in a special way in the architecture of the well-preserved old town with Mary's pillar in the centre of the square. A vestige from the Roman settlement can be seen in a stone relief of a winged dragon inserted into the facade of a residential building on the square's southern edge. A singular feature of the town is the old portals and stairways carved in the quarries of Log, which speak of the flourishing local stonecutters trade (grindstones) in the 19th and the first half of the 20th century. Surrounded by thick fortification walls, the deanery church of St. Bartholomew rises above the square as if protecting the houses below. The church, built in the first half of the 18th century in the Baroque style, is important because of exceptional interior Baroque illusionist frescoes, altars (by Štefan, Anton and Janez Jurij Mersi and J. Straub) and altarpieces (by Anton Lerchinger and Valentin Metzinger). On the hill above the church, ruins of a late 12th century castle can be seen. The ethnological park of the Rogatec Open Air Museum can be reached along a path leading across the hill or along a narrow street beginning at the square and going past the 15th century Strmol Castle. As a cultural monument, the park, which presents typical rural architecture of the sub-Pannonian region of central Štajerska, is undoubtedly the most fascinating site in the municipality. By renovating old farm buildings and through its programmes, the museum preserves the heritage of vernacular architecture and revives the heritage of the folk culture originating from the area to the south of Donačka Gora and Boč and dating from the end of the 18th to the first half of the 20th century. In addition, the museum organises ethnological workshops and cultural events which encourage research activities among the young. In the north, amid softly rolling hills scattered
with small farms and vineyards and inhabited by hospi Log is part of the hilly Macelj area in the eastern
part of the municipality, where the source of the Sotla river is found.
The source can be reached via a marked path. In addition, a new asphalt
road leads through Log from the foot of Donačka Gora to the Sotla valley.
The road runs past a large deserted quarry; numerous smaller ones are hidden
in lush forests. Over the past centuries, these quarries yielded flint
sandstone for whetstones. The area's pristine nature and the hospi The people of Rogatec are increasingly aware of
the natural and cultural riches of our small region and the heritage of
our ancestors who, although persistently following new trends, never forgot
their roots. For this reason, we have joined hands and have focused our
activities in more than ten voluntary societies. We are proud and cheerful
people with open hearts, and are glad to share our joy and optimism with
others.
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