Metlika

Metlika stands on a terrace above the Kolpa at the far southeastern corner of the country, and its old town is a chain of three squares running one into the next, walled once against Ottoman raids that came this way repeatedly through the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The castle at one end holds the White Carniola museum, and the first Slovenian fire brigade was founded here in 1869 and has its own museum. Vineyards on the Metlika hills produce the local Metliska crnina.

History

From about 1205 the town was part of the March of Carniola and it received town privileges in 1335; after an earthquake in the 17th century and a great fire in 1705 its castle and the Baroque church of St Nicholas were rebuilt. The castle, originally of the 15th century, now holds the local museum, and the Greek Catholic church of Saints Cyril and Methodius, of 1903, is one of only two of that rite in Slovenia (Wikipedia, Metlika).

What's there

• The three squares - a chain of linked squares forming the old town.
• The castle museum - the White Carniola collection in the castle at the top of the town.
• The firefighting museum - the record of the first Slovenian fire brigade, founded 1869.
• The Metlika vineyards - the hills above the town and their red Metliska crnina.

When to go

April to October; the Vinska vigred wine festival is in May. Museums close on Mondays and shorten hours in winter. Summer is hot in this corner of the country.

Good to know

It is a long way from anywhere else and the journey is the main cost of visiting. The old town is small and an hour or two covers it. Museum opening outside summer is limited.

Nearby

Crnomelj is west, and the Kolpa is south.

Key facts