Ljutomer

Photo: Jeruzalem.si

Ljutomer covers the northeastern part of Slovenske gorice and represents the heart of Prlekija. Many famous Slovenians came from this area, including linguist Fran Miklošič, filmmaker Karol Grossman and composer Slavko Osterc.

The people of Ljutomer have been making wine for centuries. Some of the highest quality wine sorts are made at Jeruzalem. You can also experience a wonderful view driving along the Jeruzalem wine tourist road with stops at hospitable wine shops and tourist farms. Ljutomer is also known for its delicious cheeses and hardy horses. During the summer, horse races are held at the city hippodrome.
  
Jeruzalem with its holy name, energetic vibes, wine road with top white wines, exquisite viewpoints and pilgrimage church has every right to be named a place of heaven. Already the crusaders looking for their way to the today's Israeli and Palestinian Jerusalem in the 13th century were convinced.

It is a part of Prlekija which is situated in the north-eastern Slovenia and borders Austria on the north Croatia on the south. It is a country of rich cuisine, top wines, curvy terrace hills, melodious rattles (klopotec) as well as of rich cultural, natural and ethnologic heritage, thermal springs, spas and trotter horses.

BEEKEEPING MUSEUM
This museum is a mirror of life and work of Prlekian people. It is 100 years old. It is completely made of wood, it has the shape of semi circle and it is the only system neiser in Slovenia. It was inhabited until 1945. Some exhibited specimens are 200 and even 300 years old.

BLACKSMITHS' MUSEUM
As the horse used to be a very important animal in farming, there used to be many blacksmiths in this area. In spite of the new technology the horse remained important - not for farming but for sports so the blacksmith's work has not died out.If you want to know how the blacksmiths worked and what tools they used, you can visit the workshop and the museum in Razkrižje Nr. 16. The Horvats have had a 150 - year - old blacksmiths tradition. Horse lovers can ride inside a gate or in the countryside or they can have a carriage ride. The Horvats offer home-made wine and cold meats platters. You can purchase hand made artisan iron works which are a nice present or a lucky charm.

RALO MUSEUM
This is an open air museum of tools and machines used at a time when work on the field was done manually. »Ralo« is a branch with a hook, which grubbed in the ground. It did not turn the soil but only loosened it. First it was pulled by people, later by animals. The plough evolved from »ralo«. There are many types: wooden ones, metal ones, two-side ploughs etc. They were pulled by one or two cattle.»Brana« which had different shapes and sizes was used for loosening and levelling the soil. »Black kitchen« is still used for drying meat. Inside there are objects which had been used until 1950.Over 300 machines are exhibited and the Primecs strive to preserve this part of Slovenian cultural heritage.They invite schoolchildren and students interested in farming and machine construction to visit them and maybe cooperate with them.They offer home-made bread with lard, spring water and must in autumn.

ŽUMAN POTTERY
the potter's wheel. The Žumans have been potters for the whole century. All their products are hand made on.They burn them in the old traditional way in a kiln on wood. The smoke gives each product a different cast, so each product is unique.