History

The man lived in the Upper Savinja valley since the ancient Stone Age; the finds at Potočka zijalka under mountain Olševa prove it. Through all history the man cut forests forming cultural regions. The Upper Savinja valley was located on the plain part of the valley, cultivated and inhabited since the Roman Age, before the arrival of Slavs. The Slovene people inhabited the valley relatively early, just a little before their arrival to depression of Celje. They mainly settled in the already cleared land.

Because of the German law which was put in force after the German invasion, the conquested land and inhabitants became property of the feudal lord, who rented it to his soldiers and courtiers, meanwhile the farmers became subordinated to the new owners – the lords of the manor. The castle Vrbovec and the Franciscan monastery in Nazarje give a distinctive seal to the life of the people of the Upper Savinja valley.

• Nazarje
• Kokarje
• Šmartno ob Dreti