The Church of St. Martin

Patron: St. Martin of Tours, bishop

The church lies on a small rise on the edge of Velenje, which was already mentioned in the mid-13th century. Its present core is still medieval or at least Renaissance, while the new part of the church dates from 1874. The building is valuable above all for its historical tradition and dominant position, which particularly distinguishes it in the landscape. Around it are preserved the remains of a fortified encircling wall.

In 2005 the Council of Europe included the church in the programme of cultural routes dedicated to great European figures. The Way of Saint Martin begins in Hungary in Szombathely, Martin's birthplace. It continues in Slovenia and visits numerous places connected with Saint Martin, from Domanjševci, Martjanci, via Maribor and Ljubljana to Italy.

In Italy it leads via Pavia to the village of Candes-Saint-Martin in France, where Saint Martin died. The route leads via Tours, where Saint Martin was appointed bishop and where he is also buried in the Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours. It is intended for pilgrims, hikers, athletes and those who love nature and cultural heritage. The distance between Szombathely and Candes-Martin via Tours is 2500 km. The value sought on the route is the mutual sharing of goods.

Source: VisitSaleska and the Parish Church of St. Martin