Introducing The Olimje Monastery in Podcetrtek
The Olimje Monastery, or Olimje Castle as it is also known, is located in the hamlet of Olimje in the Municipality of Podcetrtek in the east of Slovenia, close to the border with Croatia. It was first mentioned in 1208 as a castle owned by Otto Rufus. The building passed several phases from castle to monastery again to castle and is currently used as a monastery by the Conventual Franciscans, who take care of the pastoral work and for both pilgrims and the tourists visiting the historic castle and pharmacy.
Review of the Olimje Monastery in Podcetrtek
From the spa village of Podcetrtek, a winding road passes through some beautiful countryside to the Olimje Monastery, 3 kilometres to the southwest. Originally built as a castle in the 11th century, the structure was rebuilt in the 16th century in the Renaissance style and converted into a monastery in the mid-i7th century when it was gifted to Pauline monks. The monks enlarged the premises and augmented it with a Baroque church with the most impressive altar in 1675. The complex then changed owners a few times and was badly damaged in an earthquake in 1974. Since 1990, the monastery has been occupied by monks of the Order of Friars Minor, who also manage the parish.
The three-storey building consists of a southeast and southwest wing with oval towers in the corners. The exterior of the building was renovated in the Renaissance style. The Baroque church with a bell tower is situated at the west side, while a herb and vegetable garden faces south. Other structures or features on the premises are a beehive, a traditional hayrack known as toplar, a mill and a pond.
Besides the impressive external appearance of the building, the main attraction is the incredibly beautiful 17th-century grand altar in the Presbytery, a three-tier extravaganza of gilt and black marble dedicated to the Virgin Mary, whose statue stands at the centre in a shower of lightning bolts. The altar is one of the biggest ‘golden’ altars in the country and is really magnificent. The church also includes a side chapel, dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier, which houses a majestic, caramel-coloured late-Baroque altar that is considered as one of the most beautiful pieces of the late-Baroque era in Slovenia. Also, don’t forget to note the fine upright organ in the choir loft. The Catholics may join in the holy mass which is celebrated at 9:00 on Sundays and also daily at 19:00 in the spring and summer months and at 17:00 in the winter and autumn months.
On the ground floor of the corner tower to the left of the main entrance is a very interesting pharmacy which dates back to the 17th century and still produces medicines via natural sources. The pharmacy is open to the public to make purchases daily between 10:00 and 18:00. It’s Slovenia’s oldest pharmacy and the third oldest in Europe, after those in Paris and Dubrovnik. The pharmacy is painted with pastel-shaded religious and medical scenes from the 18th-century. There’s also a beautiful and well-kept garden in front of the monastery where the monks grow their own herbs and medicinal plants.
During the visit, the monks will most certainly serve you their famous ‘vicar drops’, a harmonious herbal liquor made of twenty-eight herbs. Adjacent to the monastery building (behind the monastery to the east) is the Syncerus Chocolate Boutique, or Cokoladnica Olimje as it is also known, where Slovenia’s best-known chocolate is produced.
If in the Podcetrtek area, this impressive and picturesque building is a must visit, as is the nearby chocolatería. There is no entry fee to the monastery (although donations are welcome) and ample parking space is available too.
Pictures of the Olimje Monastery in Podcetrtek
View our image gallery with 10 high-resolution photos that prove you absolutely have to visit the Olimje Monastery in Podcetrtek!
Seven photos below by Erich Reisinger
The Olimje Monastery with a beautiful and well-kept herb garden where the monks grow their own herbs and medicinal plants.
In 1665–1675 a Baroque church with the most impressive altar of the Assumption of Mary was added to the premises. The church is really beautiful inside and well worth a quiet, respectful visit.
The monastery houses a very interesting pharmacy on the ground floor which dates back to the 17th century and still produces medicines via natural sources which is open to the public to make purchases.
A view through the front doors of the monastery.
The Baroque church with a bell tower is situated at the west side of the monastery, while a herb and vegetable garden faces south.
A lovely path leading to the monastery.
There are some interesting structures and features on the premises including a traditional hayrack known as toplar, a beehive, a chapel, a mill and a pond.
Photo by Uros Leva
The exterior of the monastery was renovated in the Renaissance style.
Photo by Sabina Tomazic
The exterior of the monastery with a herb garden and a beehive.
Photo by Daniel Tomanovic
The exterior of the monastery with a herb garden in early spring when nature is just beginning to wake up from its winter sleep.
Location of the Olimje Monastery in Podcetrtek on the map
Address: Olimje 82, 3254 Podcetrtek, Slovenija
Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 46.150060, 15.563192
GPS coordinates: 46° 9′ 0.216” N 15° 33′ 47.4912” E
Traditional region: Styria (Slovene: Stajerska)
Statistical region: Savinja (Slovene: Savinjska)
Municipality: Podcetrtek
 Podcetrtek is a charming small town on Slovenia’s eastern border with Croatia in Obsotelj, the heart of Kozjansko, where most people come to relax at the Terme Olimia thermal spa. |
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 Overall Rating:  09/10 (Highly Recommended)The Olimje Monastery is located in the hamlet of Olimje, just southwest of the spa village of Podcetrtek. It consists of a southeast and southwest wing with oval towers in the corners. Besides the impressive external appearance of the building, the key attractions are the incredible golden altar from 1675 and a very interesting pharmacy which dates back to the 17th century and still produces medicines via natural sources. |
 Overall Rating: 09/10 (Superb)Terme Olimia is one of the largest thermal spas in Slovenia, located in Podcetrtek in the far eastern corner of Slovenia, near the Croatian border, roughly halfway between Slovenia's capital Ljubljana and Croatia's capital Zagreb. It consists of two wellness areas (Family Wellness Termalija and Wellness Orhidelia) which are open year round and were recently fully renovated, a water park named Thermal Park Aqualuna which is open in the summer months from June to September, a spa named Armonia, and a health centre named Olimia. |
| The accommodation options in Podcetrtek can be divided into four main categories: hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, and self catering apartments. |
 Podcetrtek is an endearing village on Slovenia's eastern border with Croatia, where most people come to escape from the stress of daily life and unwind at the Terme Olimia thermal spa. With Podcetrtek being a small village, there are only a couple of hotels there. Find out which are the ones that we recommend and why. |
 Podcetrtek guest houses are a type of accommodation that provides inexpensive lodging to the tourists. They are very similar to bed and breakfasts with reasonable rates for the rooms. They are typically houses that have been exclusively converted into guesthouses for travelers and have very limited staff - usually the owner and family members. |
 For the budget-conscious tourist who enjoys cooking, Podcetrtek's self catering apartments offer a nice combination of independence and practicality. Self catering gives you the freedom to create the meals you want, which is especially useful for those who need to stick to specific diets. It means you’re not obligated to eat breakfast at set times like in hotels or bed and breakfasts, and provides the flexibility to come and go as you please. |
 Podcetrtek bed and breakfasts are an inexpensive and relaxing alternative to a classic hotel. Typical bed and breakfasts in Podcetrtek are private homes with fewer than four bedrooms, and they usually offer a delicious breakfast with lots of choice and variety for guests, but don't serve other meals. |