The name Gradec was first mentioned in 1091, but as a town was mentioned in 1267. Slovenj Gradec is the administrative and culture centre of the northern-central part of the Koroška region today.
Old part of the town is a cute worthseeing place. Slovenj Gradec is a birthplace of famous composer Hugo Wolf. The town maintains a rich cultural heritage and a medieval touch, reflected in its market core and architecture.
In 1989, the town was declared a "Peace Messenger City" by the United Nations, further emphasizing its role in the international cultural and humanitarian space.