Holiday apartment in Metlika – wine, culture and historic experiences

Metlika brings winegrowing, a long urban history and traditional customs together in a compact area. In the old town centre, the Metliška folklorna skupina Ivan Navratil has performed the Metliško obredje in Trg svobode every Easter Monday since 1992. The Vuzemski plesi in igre in Metlika, also known as the Metliško obredje, take place in the medieval town centre on Easter Monday. They include the dance known as metliško kolo and the dance games rešetca, al' je kaj trden ta vaš must, robčeci, kurji boj and turn.

Culture

The history of Metlika can be traced through several clearly identified landmarks. Metlika, then still called Novi trg, already had a town wall by 1365 at the latest. The oldest part of the town lies below Veselica Hill; the area was already settled in prehistoric times, and the town emerged in the Middle Ages. Metliški grad was first mentioned in 1456 and is probably considerably older.

In Metliški grad, the permanent exhibition of the Belokranjski Museum is entitled “The Life of the People in Bela krajina from Prehistory to the Mid-20th Century”. Galerija Kambič adds its own distinctive cultural note. It is located in the birthplace of Academician Kambič and presents a collection of national importance featuring cultural and historical objects and works by various Slovenian artists.

Wine and cuisine

Metlika’s wine tradition includes Vinska klet Metlika: the entirely underground tunnel cellar is 108 metres long, was built in 1958 and can store up to three million litres of wine. Visitors can reserve guided tours with wine tasting there. The cellar is also historically connected with Slovenian wine production: the first Slovenian rosé wine was produced here in 1981, and in 1986, under the direction of Dr Julij Nemanič, the first ice wine in what was then Yugoslavia was produced here.

A workshop on preparing Belokranjska pogača includes making the dough under expert guidance, as well as tasting traditional wines from Bela krajina and seasonal regional specialities. Vinska vigred also brings a recurring three-day festival to Metlika’s old town centre. Wine, cuisine, music and folklore are part of its programme. During Vinska vigred, winegrowers from Bela krajina and a selection of rated wines from the Društvo vinogradnikov Metlika are presented at Vinski plac on Mestni trg.

Experiences

Metliška pustolovščina is an approximately two-hour immersive experience through Metlika’s old town, beginning and ending at Hiša dobrot Bele krajine. This is where participants collect their backpack, equipment, map and a small refreshment. With the help of the map and a series of tasks, Metliška pustolovščina leads through the old town centre.

Metliški dragulji is a guided experience featuring stories told by a local guide, stops at important historical sites and insights into Metlika’s tangible and intangible heritage.

Nature and trails

Above Metlika lies Veselica, a 233-metre-high hill shaped by winegrowing and a popular viewpoint for locals and day-trippers. The walking trail around Metlika and through the old town centre begins at Pungart, the starting point for the town’s hiking trails.

A cycling route leads from Metlika town centre to three Gothic pilgrimage churches, through birch-covered steljniki and vineyards with zidanice as far as Drašiči. In the wider region around Metlika, visitors can travel on the water by kayak, canoe, raft or SUP from spring through autumn.

Further destinations

Other destinations in this selection of locations: Gradac.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Metlika.