Žička kartuzija
Former Carthusian monastery in the valley of St John the Baptist near Slovenske Konjice, with exhibitions, audio guides, a herb garden and an energy trail.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Žička kartuzija (Žiče Charterhouse) is the first and once the central Carthusian monastery on the territory of present-day Slovenia. It was founded between 1160 and 1165, when the Styrian margrave Otakar III of Traungau had a residence for French Carthusians from the Grande Chartreuse built in the remote Valley of St John the Baptist. The monks of the upper monastery lived a very strict monastic life; in the lower part, at Špitalič, lay brothers lived. Besides monastic life, the Carthusians were engaged in pharmacy and herbal medicine.
In the decades after its foundation Žiče rose to become one of the most important monasteries: its priors led the founding of new charterhouses; from 1335 to 1355 it was the seat of the German province of the order, and from 1391 to 1410 the seat of the order's Prior General, so it took over the role of the central monastery from the Grande Chartreuse.
Today visitors can walk among the ancient walls, listen to the stories with an audio guide or join a guided tour. There are an exhibition on the history of the Carthusian order, a herb garden, a thematic energy trail, a lapidarium and a guided climb to the viewing path above the church choir (“Žička kartuzija 12+1”). On Sundays, in fine weather, the raising and lowering of the church's movable roof can be seen. The inn Gastuž1467 operates in the charterhouse.
Highlights
- Carthusian monastery almost 900 years old in the Valley of St John the Baptist
- Audio guides and guided tours
- Guided climb “Žička kartuzija 12+1” to the viewing path above the choir
- Herb garden and the thematic trail of quiet energy (Tihe energije)
- Lapidarium and exhibition on the history of the Carthusian order
Permanent exhibition
- Korak za korakom – Exhibition on the history of the Carthusian order and of the Žiče charterhouse.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4students, pupils, pensioners and groups of more than 30 persons (€6); children aged 6 to 14 (€4) |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 14; children up to age 6 enter free. |
| Seniors | €6 |
| Students & apprentices | €6Students and pupils. |
| Groups (31+ people) | €6 per personGroups of more than 30 persons. |
| Žička kartuzija 12+1 (guided climb to the viewing path), adults | €20Children €15, pupils, students and pensioners €17.50; family ticket (2 adults and 1–4 children) €49. Registration compulsory at least 24 hours in advance; a maximum of 12 persons at a time. |
| Annual ticket | €60Students, pupils and pensioners €45. |
| Joint card Center Noordung + Žička kartuzija, school groups | €14 |
The price list applies from 1 November 2022 until further notice.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Restaurant
Gostilna Gastuž1467 in the charterhouse.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
Weddings in the charterhouse (poroka@zickakartuzija.si, 041 602 235).
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| Good to know | Visits with an audio guide or with a guided tour. On Saturdays at 11:00, a guided tour of the viewing platform “Žička kartuzija 12+1” is possible upon registration. |
