| Gradac | |
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| Gradac castle | |
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Gradac
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Slovenia |
| Traditional region | Bela Krajina, Lower Carniola |
| Statistical region | Southeast Slovenia |
| Municipality | Metlika |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.97 km2 (2.3 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 150 m (492 ft) |
| Population (2002) | |
| • Total | 419 |
| [1] | |
Gradac is a settlement in the Municipality of Metlika in the White Carniola area of southeastern Slovenia. It lies close to the border with Croatia on the river Lahinja. The area is part of the traditional region of Lower Carniola and is now included in the Southeast Slovenia statistical region.[2] The village is best known for its well-preserved Gradac Castle.
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Gradac has a railway station (Gradac), a post office, a small shop, two coffee shops and a small industrial park. Traditionally many craftspeople (stonemasons, locksmiths, wainwrights, potters) and farmers lived in the village.
It also has a small outdoor sports field for handball and basketball. This is located near the new fire station which was built in the 1980s. A small airport, mainly for gliders and light aircraft is located in nearby Prilozje.[3]
On 18 June 1944 the Slovenian Red Cross was founded in Gradac.[4]
A military school for partisan officers was located in the castle during World War II between 1944 and 1945 when the White Carniola region was liberated from occupation forces.
Despite its relatively small size, Gradac used to have a rich cultural scene. The local theatre as well as the carnival organisation Gradaški mački are remnants of this.
Gradac Castle is castle with a moat. It belongs to the cultural heritage fond of Slovenia. It was first mentioned in written documents dating to 1228.[5] There is a large park around the castle. There are plans to restore the castle and renew the park. The Municipality of Metlika fixed the roof of the castle to prevent further decay.[6] Talks with potential investors from Italy and Ireland were however unsuccessful.[7]
The public discussion about the future of the castle intensified again in 2006. This happened when the Slovenian regional development program for south-east Slovenia was discussed.[8] and right before the regional elections.[9][10][11][12]
Since the summer of 2006, locals have begun a relatively successful campaign to revitalize the castle.[13][14][15] Following local initiatives, the Metlika municipality authorities as well as the Ministry of Culture in Ljubljana became more actively involved. There are plans for a hotel to be established in the castle.[16] [17][18][19]
In March 2009 the MP Renata Brunskole, who is also mayor of Metlika, put a question to the Minister of Culture Majda Širca about the government plans for the castle.[20] Although the minister's response was not encouraging, the ministry for the interior included the castle into the project Invest in Slovene Tourism.[21]
The old fire station is located near the village crossroads to Semič. Old scales for weighing livestock can also be seen nearby. A number of buildings have been listed as cultural heritage monuments by the Slovenian ministry of Culture.[22]
These are
The community is planning to build a waste-water facility in the near future.
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