Municipality of Kamnik

Contact

Občina Kamnik

Glavni trg 24, SI-1240 Kamnik

http://www.kamnik.si

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Phone386 (0) 1 831 8100

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The northern portion of the old part of Kamnik, 2011

The Municipality of Kamnik covers a total area of around 266 square kilometres and has a population of 26,275 people (2002) living in 102 settlements. The town of Kamnik was first mentioned in the mid 12th century and was established around two castles, Stari and Mali grad. Its location on the trade route between the Adriatic coast and the Pannonian plain ensured its importance as a market town. Starting in 1501, Kamnik was awarded a special privilege to hold a fair on the day of St Primož and Felicijan (9 June).

Today Kamnik is a member of the Slovene Association of Historic Towns. Its tourist attractions comprise St Primož Church in the ruins of Mali grad above Kamnik (an important medieval monument with fresco paintings and a wooden ceiling) and the Medieval Days festival. Other interesting sites and monuments in Kamnik Municipality include the Arboretum Volčji Potok, the Monastery and Herbal Park at Tunjice and Županje Njive Snovik spa.

Funding of culture

The Social Activities Department of Kamnik Municipality is responsible for social and health care, education and sports as well as for public culture and cultural heritage preservation.

Kamnik has a rich tradition of amateur culture that includes around 20 cultural associations, some of them with a very a long tradition (Kamnik Brass Orchestra was established 155 years ago and the Kamnik Singers Association Lira was founded 120 years ago). The Department gets around 70 applications when the annual bid for cultural projects is issued.

The local branches of the Union of Cultural Societies of Slovenia (ZKDS) and the Public Fund for Cultural Activities of the Republic of Slovenia (JSKD) facilitate the activities of local cultural organisations and act as mediators in respect of state and municipal funding.

Medieval days

In the past, Kamnik was organizing "Medieval Days", playing a part in an international project called the Path of Venus, which re-enacted the events described in the 13th-century poem of the same name, written by Styrian knight Ulrich von Liechtenstein. The poem tells the story of von Liechtenstein's travels, dressed as the goddess Venus, through 52 towns in Central Europe, fighting in tournaments all along the way. Today, towns in Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy and Slovenia are all involved. Von Liechtenstein travelled through six towns in what is now Slovenia: Brestanica, Štanjel, Postojna, Ljubljana, Kamnik and Škofja Loka.

Kamnik, a town with a medieval core around Stari and Mali grad, represented a unique venue for participation in the Path of Venus. The first Medieval Days took place here in 1997. The centrepiece was a medieval market, complete with wandering minstrels and craftsmen demonstrating their trades. Traditional crafts associated with Kamnik, including blacksmithing, leatherwork, furriery and iron working were also on display. The highlight was undoubtedly the knights' games. Knights came from all over Slovenia and sometimes from abroad to participate. The programme was rounded off with medieval song and dance performances.

See also

• Kamnik Culture House
• Kamnik Principal Library
• Kamnik Intermunicipal Museum
• Medieval Days, Kamnik
• Kamfest
• Mali grad
• Zaprice Castle
• List of municipalities

External links

• Municipality of Kamnik website (in Slovenian)
• Kamnik Tourist Organisation website with current events
• Kamnik on Wikipedia

Gallery

Municipality of Kamnik, view from the from Zaprice Castle, 2008

The northern portion of the old part of Kamnik, 2011