Podlehnik

Edi Drevenšek

Podlehnik is a settlement and a municipality in the Haloze hills in eastern Slovenia. The area traditionally belonged to the region of Styria. It is now included in the Podravska statistical region. The settlement developed around the 13th century Lehnik Castle. The castle was destroyed during Ottoman raids in 1532 and very few traces of it remain (foundations of a tower and a defense ditch). What was originally the castle chapel, is now the local church, dedicated to the Mother of God and was expanded in the 16th and 18th centuries.

In the second half of of 18th century Maria Theresa intoduced a cadastre and founded a school. In 1880 vines in the whole region of Haloze were destroyed by vine louse; it strongly effected also Podlehnik. The name Nadlehnik points to a domestic placename because under the castle Lichtenigg there was a settlement. In that way existed also Podlehnik, which meant "below or under" or Dolence. Inhabitants of the plain ignored the highlanders what reflected in the placename.

Local community consists of following villages: Podlehnik, Dežno, Gorca, Gruškovje, Jablovec, Kozminci, Ložine, Rodni Vrh, Sedlašek, Stanošina, Strajna and Zakl all spread over on nearest slopes. Shady slopes are covered by vineyards and orchards. The settlement became the appearance of an urban village in the last decade. There is a school, a clinic, and a fire brigade house. On the artificial lake in Podlehnik tourism and fishing are growing, and nearby there is an ideal place for time off after a hard day.

The village is very well known for its succursal church of Mother of God with a starry arched presbytary. Lateral altars were designed by J. Straub around 1750. On Gorca there is a parish church of Holy Trinity (Sv. Trojica).

At mountain route of Haloze, which is a part of the European pathway, there is a famous building on Gorca and the Vinedresser´s museum. You will enjoy a liveliness of this village all over the year, there are more and more cultural and tourist performances and sports events.

Restaurant - Motel "Ob ribniku" is a proper place for guest to rest, relax or recreate. In a peaceful and beautiful natural enviroment with a fish pond, they will serve you prime national food and top-level wine. For recreation can choose between beach volleyball, football, basketball, fishing, bicycling or can just go for a walk around the fish pond.

The Podlehnik municipality lies in the heart of the Haloze wine hills. The rolling terrain is covered with vineyards, pastures, forests and grasslands.

At carnival time in Podlehnik and also elsewhere Korants known to send away the winter. These are men dressed in sheep or rabbit skin and have a bell hung around the waist. On the head have a hat with the horns, and stick in hand (ježevko).

You will enjoy a liveliness of this village all over the year, there are more and more cultural and tourist performances and sports events.

resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podlehnikhttp://www.sloveniaholidays.com/podlehnik/

http://www.slovenia.info/?_ctg_kraji=4001&lng=2http://www.kamra.si/Default.aspx?module=5&id=429