Žiče Charterhouse, eight centuries of silence in a valley

Why Žiče Charterhouse matters

Carthusians came from Grenoble and founded Žiče in 1165. According to the tourist board, it was the first charterhouse in Central Europe and the only one outside France and Italy at the time. The monastery soon became a religious, cultural and economic centre, and in the 14th century, during the Western Schism, it served as the seat of the order’s Prior General. It ran successfully for more than 600 years, with the former manor at Žiče as its economic hub.

What you see today

The complex, a monument of national importance, keeps remains of the monastic buildings, the great cloister with the All Saints Chapel, a defensive tower and architectural details from the church. Most striking is the award-winning semi-transparent roof that now shelters the ruins of the church of St John the Baptist. There are four permanent exhibitions on Carthusian life, a pottery workshop and the old apothecary, where the monks made remedies and tinctures and where local teas and herbs are still sold.

The monks’ library

The monks of Žiče were scholars too. The library grew to more than 2,000 books, and for nearly four centuries famous medieval manuscripts were made here, many of which survive. That’s why the tourist board says that in its heyday it was a centre of European culture.

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The Gastuž inn and wine

By the entrance stands the Gastuž inn, from 1467, thought to be the oldest continuously operating inn in Slovenia and perhaps in Central Europe. Its cooking draws on the monks’ kitchen. The Carthusians were also wine pioneers here, introducing varieties such as Pinot Noir. The charterhouse gets around 20,000 visitors a year and hosts concerts, exhibitions and weddings.

Events and combined tickets

The charterhouse hosts events throughout the year. On the afternoon of 28 June 2026 it held the Kartuzija & vino gathering in the small cloister, with a €19 tasting package that included a souvenir glass and food and drink tokens. If you plan to combine it with the Noordung Center in Vitanje, the joint ticket costs €19 per person, according to the space centre’s price list. Opening times and individual prices are best checked with the Slovenske Konjice tourist information centre before you set off.

If you are short on time, see the best tours in Žiče Charterhouse and pick one that fits your day.

Pairing it with Slovenske Konjice

Two or three hours let you see it properly, longer if you stay for lunch. I’d combine it with the centre of Konjice, with Zreče and its spa, or with Olimje monastery if the region’s religious houses interest you.

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