Metlika

Metlika ( German Möttling, before Merling ) is a city and municipality in the Bela Krajina in Slovenia. It lies on the border with Croatia. The area around Metlika is the southernmost wine region of Slovenia.

History

The area was already inhabited in prehistoric times, what a variety of archaeological finds is, among other things, an urn field from the early Hallstatt period, Roman tombs on the mountain Borstek, three large Hallstatt grave hill in the city garden and the La Tène necropolis. Since about 1205 belonged Metlika ( Möttling ) for Krain, the city rights it acquired in 1335.

This Metlika center of the white cord was (also called Bela Krajina or county Möttling ). Until the founding of the city of Karlovac it played the key role against the Ottomans, who attacked it in time from 1408 to 1578 several times.

In particular, in the period 1529-1532 the surrounding villages were devastated. During this time, many Croats and Slovenes fled into the neighboring Burgenland. The newly built after the great fire in 1705 old town has been preserved to this day. There are no building older than 300 years.

In 1559 Metlika Protestant experts who were Glagolitic powerful ( Janz Tulščak, G. Vlahovic, M. Zmajić, Štefan Stipanić, Sebastian Romans, Ivan Picek, Mihail Bozic and others) to be met during the Reformation 28 8 to request of Trubar the quality of Š. Konzul prepared Croatian translation of his texts ( written in Glagolitic script ) to check. The Examiner kame to a positive result.

In 1800, about 200 French soldiers were stationed in Metlika under Napoleon Bonaparte, who went from here across the Uskokengebirge direction Agram ( Zagreb). Some of the soldiers married local women and settled in the area around Metlika. By the end of the Habsburg Empire Metlika belonged to the crown land of Carniola, where Metlika an independent municipality in the judicial district Möttling ( political district Tschernembl ) was formed. Metlika was present seat of the local District Court.

Places the total community

Bereča vas, Boginja vas, Bojanja vas, Boldraž, Boršt, Božakovo, Božič Vrh, Brezovica pri Metliki, Bušinja vas, Dole, Dolnja Lokvica, Dolnje Dobra Vice, Dolnji Suhor pri Metliki, Drage, Dragomlja vas, Drašiči, Čurile, Geršiči, Gornja Lokvica, Gornje Dobra Vice, Gornji Suhor pri Metliki, Grabrovec, Gradac, grm pri Podzemlju, Hrast pri Jugorju, Jugorje pri Metliki, Kamenica, Kapljišče, Monastery, Krasinec, Krašnji Vrh, Krivoglavice, Križevska vas, Krmačina, Mačkovec pri Suhorju, Malo Leśce, Metlika, Mlake, Okljuka, Okno, Otok, Podzemelj, Prilozje, Primostek, Radovica, Radovici Radoši, Rakovec Ravnace, Rosalnice, Sela pri Jugorju, Slamna vas, Svržaki, Škemljevec, Škrilje, Trnovec Vidošiči, Zemelj, Želebej, Železniki

Attractions

The castle dates back to its core from the middle ages, but as a result of two fires in the 18th century, the appearance is mainly due to the time after that back. Today, the castle houses the Regional Museum of Bela Krajina with an archaeological, cultural and historical, ethnographic and historical collection to the middle of the 20th century as well as a gallery with works by artists from the area. Also located in the castle, the Firefighters' Museum, which recalls that in Metlika by the then lords Josip Savinšek with 27 men, the first volunteer fire department of Slovenia was founded in 1869. A memorial in front of the castle reminded. For the centenary of this important event in 1969 was opened in the ground floor of the castle Metlika the Slovenian Fire Department Museum, which got its own building next to the castle in 1993.

Also here is the well-known wine cellars to visit, was produced in the berries from the Welsch Riesling, the first bottled in Slovenia Eiswein. In May, the Wine Spring takes place here. In the summer cultural events enliven the theme Come evening in the castle the castle courtyard.

The parish church of St. Nicholas is a baroque building from 1759 with a strict facade and a barrel-vaulted nave with chapels. Your equipment dates from the 19th century, but is held in the baroque tradition, such as the high altar shows. In the birthplace of the sculptor Alojz Gangl (1859-1935) and the writer and poet Engelbert Gangl (1873-1950) can be seen documents about the life and work of the artist. It is also interesting the former of the Teutonic Knights. Only 2 km away there are other interesting places like Rosalnice ( Rosalnitz ) where three churches stand next to each other, Božakovo (Saint Magdalene ) with a mentioned in the 14th century church, Gradac with its famous castle and park on the river loop of Lahinja, as well as on the Croatian side Bubnjarci (Saint Cosmas and Damian ), Vivodina, Ribnik with its castle, Ozalj ( Ossel ) on the Kolpa with its castle and the town of Karlovac ( Karlstadt ).

Recent Developments

Since October 2011, there is a youth center in MetlikaWebseite the Youth Center Metlika that has performed over 100 events in the first year of its existence. In this center, two to three volunteers from France and Spain are employed in the years 2012 and 2013.

Since October 2012, a farmer's market at Gala shopping center will be open on Saturday mornings.

The apparent decline of some buildings in the city center ( home of the Disabled Association, the Konzumgebäude and the former Stehcafé ) always leads to criticism of the administration to finally do something about it. Among other things, the financing failed due to state funding of the building " Konzum " right on the main square near the castle gate. The community wanted to provide a location for the city library and the municipal brass band. Applications for funding has been rejected several times. The mayor defended the local authority and by pushing the responsibility for the decline of the owners and announces that the Konzumgebäude is only gradually restored from municipal funds, as not sufficient funds in the municipal budget are available. Until the summer of 2014 the roof is to be replaced. In the following years the rest of the building to be renovated.

According to statements by the mayor in 2013 5 million euros have been invested in infrastructure projects in the year, of which 37% directly from its own resources ( the community) originated.

Future Plans

In July of 2012, remodeling plans were for the three places: town square, Place presents the guerrilla and Freedom Square. The city planners proposed to remove parked vehicles mostly. The upper part of the freedom square to continue to be used as a park. The under part is to get a green island of information. Changes should mainly affect the course of the Partisans, where the terraces increased or will be remodeled to provide the residents greater forecourts. It is also the lighting and greenery ( trees ) can be changed. Due to budgetary constraints, these plans could however only be realized with support from the European Structural Funds. The necessary own funds has not the city, although the plans have met with general approval of the city council.