This year, the Žička kartuzija Monastery celebrates 860 years of its existence.
In 1165, the first monks from France arrived in the secluded Valley of St. John the Baptist. With their arrival, Žička kartuzija Monastery became the first Carthusian monastery established outside the order’s founding countries—France and Italy—and the first of its kind in Central Europe. It soon grew into a center of knowledge, spirituality, and culture.
The traveler and chancellor of the Patriarch of Aquileia, Paolo Santonino, described it in the 15th century as an extraordinary monastery with an extensive library said to hold as many as 2,000 manuscripts. At the end of the 14th and the beginning of the 15th century, Žička kartuzija Monastery even briefly assumed the role of the Grande Chartreuse, the head monastery of the Carthusian Order, becoming its spiritual center.
Although the monastery was dissolved in 1782, its story is far from over. Today, visitors are captivated by the restored monastic church with a movable roof, a scenic viewpoint above it, and a renovated small cloister that invites exploration of the monastery’s rich history.
The magnificence and uniqueness of this place can still be felt. People say that Žička Kartuzija Monastery is a space of special energies, where time flows slower—and differently.
This year, we will highlight the magnificence of Žička kartuzija Monastery, which was declared a cultural monument of national importance in 2015, through various events.
Tea gathering in the monastery garden "Zajcklošter" will take place on June 1, June 29, July 27, and August 17. A storytelling evening "Fairy Tales for Adults" is scheduled for June 10. The Interactive workshops on tasting and smelling herbs on May 24 and 25. The opening of the exhibition "Dr. Avguštin Stegenšek – 150 Years" will be on June 19. The gathering of Slovenian herbalists is set for June 25. Gong harmonies with an herbal prologue, which received great acclaim last year, will occur on 22. 6., 6. and 8. 7., 10. and 24. 8., 14. 9.. The first wine and culinary experience at Žička kartuzija Monastery, "Kartuzija & Wine," is planned for June 14. As is tradition, the Žička kartuzija Monastery will once again come alive with the sounds of the Summer Music Evenings in Žička Kartuzija Monastery, featuring performances by Slovenian musicians - Maja Keuc, Nina Pušlar, Šank Rock Acoustic, and Quintet Piazzolleky & Ana Bezjak (see the back page of the newspaper for dates).
During opening hours, various guided experiences will be available to visitors:
Within Žička kartuzija Monastery, you will also find Gastuž 1467, the oldest still working guesthouse in Slovenia. On its first floor, the Spargus Restaurant offers top-tier cuisine. In the former monastery itself, visitors can explore a herbal shop, a pottery studio, Otakar’s sparkling wine cellar, and the well-maintained Carthusian herb gardens, which have become a cherished part of the Žička kartuzija Monastery experience.
Behind the ancient walls of the Carthusian monastery of Žiče lies a hidden treasure – the Otakar’s cellar, where Zlati grič sparkling wines have been aging for many years. In the peaceful, naturally cool cellar from the 12th century, up to 60,000 bottles rest each year. Each one stays on the yeasts for at least two to three years, which gives the wine its fine bubbles and elegant taste with a touch of history. This is not just a winemaking process – it’s a quiet journey shaped by nature, tradition, and time.
Today, thanks to the Spargus restaurant, which has taken over the cellar’s tasting space, visitors can more easily peek into this special place. While enjoying carefully prepared dishes, guests can in restaurant also taste this unique sparkling wines and other wines from Zlati grič. For something more casual, you can visit Gastuž – the oldest still-operating inn in Slovenia. There, you’ll be welcomed with herbal teas, traditional Carthusian strudel, and a view into centuries of history.
For more information, visit www.zickakartuzija.si/en/.
