Vitanje (pronounced [ˈʋiːtanjɛ], formerly Vitanje trg,[2] sometimes Vitanjski trg,[2] German: (Markt) Weitenstein[3]) is a small town in northeastern Slovenia. It is the seat of the Municipality of Vitanje. It lies on the Hudinja River north of Celje. The area is part of the traditional region of Styria and is now included in the Savinja Statistical Region. From the 11th century onwards it became a regional centre and was granted market rights in 1306.[4]

Vitanje
Weitenstein
Vitanje Trg (until 1953)
Flag of Vitanje
Coat of arms of Vitanje
Vitanje is located in Slovenia
Vitanje
Vitanje
Location in Slovenia
Coordinates: 46°22′57″N 15°17′44″E / 46.38250°N 15.29556°E / 46.38250; 15.29556
Country Slovenia
Traditional regionStyria
Statistical regionSavinja
MunicipalityVitanje
Area
 • Total1.79 km2 (0.69 sq mi)
Elevation
449.3 m (1,474.1 ft)
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total859

History edit

In 1953, the main settlement of Vitanje Trg was merged with neighboring Vitanje Vas to create the combined settlement of Vitanje.[5]

Church edit

The parish church in the settlement stands in Vitanje Vas[6] and is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. It belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Celje. Its nave dates to the early 13th century with 14th-century frescos, a 15th-century sanctuary, and 18th-century side chapels.[7] A second church in the settlement is dedicated to Mary Help of Christians. It was built between 1747 and 1754 and its spire heightened in 1812.[8]

Cultural centre edit

In 2012, the Cultural Centre of European Space Technologies (KSEVT) was built in Vitanje. The building is on the one hand the main cultural venue of Vitanje and on the other hand an institute for composite research of art and science in space. The KSEVT organizes research activities, exhibitions, conferences, symposia, and educational workshops.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Naselje Vitanje". Statistični urad Republike Slovenije. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Krnel-Umek, Duša; Šmitek, Zmago (1987). Kruh in politika: poglavja iz etnologije Vitanja. Ljubljana: Znanstveni inštitut Filozofske fakultete v Ljubljani. p. 21.
  3. ^ Leksikon občin kraljestev in dežel zastopanih v državnem zboru, vol. 4: Štajersko. Vienna: C. Kr. Dvorna in Državna Tiskarna. 1904. p. 52.
  4. ^ Vitanje municipal site
  5. ^ Marinković, Dragan (1991). Abecedni spisak naselja u SFRJ. Promene u sastavu i nazivima naselja za period 1948–1990. Belgrade: Savezni zavod za statistiku. p. 113.
  6. ^ Savnik, Roman (1976). Krajevni leksikon Slovenije, vol. 3. Ljubljana: Državna založba Slovenije. pp. 309–310.
  7. ^ Slovenian Ministry of Culture register of national heritage Archived July 12, 2010, at the Wayback Machine reference number ešd 3493
  8. ^ Slovenian Ministry of Culture register of national heritage Archived July 12, 2010, at the Wayback Machine reference number ešd 3494

External links edit