History of Prlekija

Archaeological finds indicate that the land region was inhabited in the Neolithic period due to its location and mild climate, yet the area was first farmed more intensively only in the Hallstatt period. In antiquity, the area belonged to the Roman province of Pannonia and several Roman roads used to run across it. In the thirteenth century, though, the land was settled by the Slavs and the existence of the industries that had been developed within the Roman economy by the original inhabitants of Illyrian-Celtic origin was passed on.

The varied terrain of the Prlekija that spans the eastern part of the Slovenske gorice vineyards to the west and the Mursko polje plain to the west lends itself to viticulture and agriculture respectively. Until the 1960s, the Ljutomer area was settled by farmers whose agreeable and cheerful energy is still felt in their upbeat folk music and folk dance. The chores done together with friends and family such as husking and dehulling of corn by hand, slaughtering, setting up a wind-rattle were considered special events if not even celebrations. The identity of the locals has been   characterized by their attachment to the land, since their survival depended much on the mercy of the elements.

Ljutomer, the so-called heart of Prlekija both geographically and figuratively, was first mentioned in records as a settlement in 1249 and became a borough in 1265. However, it was granted town status in 1927 only, which is some 600 plus years later. Today the capital of the region is associated with three things, namely horses, the first Slovenian national mass rally, and premium wines. The Grossmann Film Festival popularity and recognition has added to the picture, gaining momentum in recent years.