Velenje
| Velenje | |
|---|---|
| — Town and Municipality — | |
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 Velenje
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| Coordinates: 46°22′N 15°07′E / 46.367°N 15.117°ECoordinates: 46°22′N 15°07′E / 46.367°N 15.117°E | |
| Country |  Slovenia |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Bojan Kontič (SD) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 83.5 km2 (32.2 sq mi) |
| Population (2002)[1] | |
| • Total | 33,331 |
| • Density | 399.2/km2 (1,033.9/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+01) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+02) |
| Website | www.velenje.si |
| Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, census of 2002. | |
Velenje (
pronunciation (help·info)) is a town and municipality in northern Slovenia. The municipality has 33.331 inhabitants. Staro Velenje (the old part of the town at the foot of the castle) is first mentioned in written doucments dating to 1264 and 1374 as small market town and was a center of handicraft and trade. The lignite mining industry in the area contributed to the expansion of the town, especially after World War II.
The headquarters of Gorenje, a manufacturer of household appliances, are based in Velenje. The town was also the former hometown of Jolanda Čeplak, a Slovenian middle distance athlete and Olympic bronze medalist. It is also the hometown of the Slovenian tennis player Katarina Srebotnik. The handball club RK Gorenje and football club NK Rudar Velenje are also based in the town.
The parish church in the town is dedicated to Saint Martin and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Celje. It dates to the 13th century with 16th and 17th century additions.[2] To the west of the town on a hill is located the Velenje Castle.
Velenje also helds the only adventure race in Slovenia. 400 kilometers long adventure race called Adventure race Slovenia[3] is known far across the Europe and is held every weekend in June. It was first organized in 2003 by Lake Dragon Scout group.
[edit] References
- ^ Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, census of 2002
- ^ Slovenian Ministry of Culture register of national heritage reference number ešd 3426
- ^ Adventure race Slovenia Adventure race Slovenia
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Velenje |
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