Središče ob Dravi
Every traveller coming to Središče ob Dravi gets an instant feeling of entering another world. It is true that it is still possible to see the outskirts of the wine-growing hills, however the River Drava with its old and new channel and the open country with a scent of the Pannonian Plain give a sense of entering another story. The locals are also somewhat different, very proud, social, but also very enterprising. Sometimes we joke that they are “sami zose” (self-sufficient). In this area, there were already numerous educational, sports and national-revival societies established at the end of the 19th century. It is possible to get familiar with them by visiting the local museum collection.
As a border area that has survived many rampages by various armies and nations throughout history, this area represents a genuine intersection and collision of cultures which is why it is so wonderful that the settlements as well as the Slovenianness were preserved. After the fall of the Roman Empire there were different nations claiming the area of Središče ob Dravi. After the death of Attila the Hun, the heritage of the Hun state was first adopted by the Goths. In 526, the area was occupied by the Lombards (Northern European Germanic people) who conquered the locally settled Heruli (East Germanic people). The Lombards were later forced to leave the area to the Avars. It is assumed that the Slavic settlement in Središče ob Dravi was established in the 6th century.
The history of colonisation of this area goes all the way to the Neolithic which is evidenced by stone tool findings. The present settlement, the market town, started as a church centre, feudal post and a roadside settlement. There is evidence that in 1255 there was an important fortification standing on the border with the Hungarian Empire, however there is very little information about it. It was already reported as ruins in the time of Turkish attacks. The settlement received market rights in 1293.
The centre of Središče ob Dravi includes a well-arranged funnel-shaped square and the Church of the Holy Spirit which was first mentioned in the 16th century and which is a perfect example of Late Gothic rural architecture. In recent years, the current clustered central settlement was renovated and modernised.
The most important tourism jewel of this area is the River Drava with everything it offers – wonderful nature park spreading over a 2-kilometre-wide flood bend – a special landscape feature in Slovenia as well as in Europe. This area is also the only habitat of the most endangered mammal species in our area – the hamster. Boating, lounging by the water, swimming by the island in the centre of the river, fishing, horseback riding, cycling, etc. This area is a genuine paradise for everyone who loves water, the scent of water and the slightly mystical environment of the River Drava.
The traditional culinary delicacies with indispensable pumpkin seed oil are no less important. Pumpkins or “tikve” are a good reason to Središče ob Dravi throughout the year, especially in September during the “Pumpkin Day” festival which includes the presentation of pumpkin seed oil production, a pumpkin exhibition, lively culinary exhibition, tastings of various dishes made with pumpkin seeds, pumpkin flesh and pumpkin oil, pumpkin stew cooking competition and skill games competition. The same festive atmosphere in Središče ob Dravi can also be experienced during Carnival and several other occasions throughout the year!
There are also other events that take place in Središče ob Dravi – you will experience genuine gallop races, a vintage racing car race and much more.