STORY ABOUT
PRLEKIJA
Prlekija is a land of rich cuisine, quality wines, windy terraced hills, singing wind rattles, rich cultural, natural and ethnological heritage, thermal springs and health resorts, as well as trotters. Many do not know that Prlekija has its very own Jeruzalem. The legend says that the place was given this name by the Crusader knights, who brought the image of the Sorrowful Mother of God and left it here, when they returned from the Holy Land in the 13th century. It was placed in the chapel that stood on the site of today’s Church of the Sorrowful Mother of God, built in the 17th century. The original image was stolen during the construction of the church, but today, its copy can be seen in the church. There is also a wishing bell, which fulfils all wishes, especially the ones connected to wine. The views in Prlekija are truly breath-taking. Around each bend, a new, even more beautiful one opens. Here is also the meeting point of the municipalities of Ormož and Ljutomer.
- CLIMATE
- temperate climate zone
- SUN
- on average, the sun shines 200 days a year here
- CULINARY SPECIALTIES
- prleška tünka, prleška gibanica, postržjača
- AUTOCHTHONOUS VARIETY
- Furmint
Soil
Soil variety is typical for this area – from light to medium-heavy. Grey marls and limy sandstones prevail. The soil is well drained, airy, and not too rich. To prevent erosion and ease cultivation, all vineyards are covered with grass.
Climate
Throughout the year, an uneven change of warm and cold, as well as rainy and arid periods is characteristic for the region. Cold winters pose a risk of frost damage, while hot summers with frequent storms pose a risk of hail.
Sunny, windy days and cold nights during the ripening of grapes are especially important for the production of quality wines.
Furmint
Prlekija is the home of mostly white wines, among which the autochthonous variety Furmint deserves special attention. The variety acquired its Slovenian name (šipon) after a lovely legend from the times of Napoleon. His soldiers loved to drink in this region, crying out “C’est si bon!” (“It is so good!”). The inhabitants of Prlekija changed these words in their own way into šipon and called the variety after them. The variety is also called Tokaji in Hungary. It is known for its slightly higher acidity and is an excellent companion to local dishes, such as “meso iz tünke” or “postržjača”.
Sun
Prlekija is a region with the highest number of sunny days in Slovenia; on average, the sun shines as many as 200 days a year here. It is precisely the sun that contributes to the excellent conditions for the production of quality wines.
Vineyards
Due to the steep slopes on which most of the vineyards are planted in our country, the majority of work is still carried out manually. The production of wine is thus far more expensive than in flatland vineyards.
Culinary Specialties
Prleška tünka is the best piece of pork preserved in minced lard and a mandatory part of every cold cut in Prlekija. Prleška gibanica is a delicious cake with layers of towed dough and a stuffing of curd cheese and sour cream. Treat yourself to it while it is hot, it is the best this way. Postržjača is a flat cake made from bread dough residue scraped from the bowl in which it was kneaded. It is coated with hot cracknels for a richer taste.
PRLEKIJA
On the Map
Prlekija lies in the north-eastern part of Slovenia, between the Slovenske Gorice Hills and the Mura River. Its centre is the town Ljutomer. It geographically extends to the town Gornja Radgona, on the west to the village Benedikt, and on the east to the Mura River.
PRLEKIJA
O the map
Prlekija lies in the north-eastern part of Slovenia, between the Slovenske Gorice Hills and the Mura River. Its centre is the town Ljutomer. It geographically extends to the town Gornja Radgona, on the west to the village Benedikt, and on the east to the Mura River.
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