In the Palazzo del Podestà, a visitor centre dedicated to the legacy of Dante Alighieri has been established

Styrian officials announced that the region has been officially designated the best wine region in Europe for 2027. This prestigious title was awarded by the European Best Destinations platform, placing Styria ahead of renowned French, Italian, and Spanish wine areas. The recognition follows an earlier achievement this year when Styria secured third place in the European Best Destinations 2026 selection for the best destination. That vote received more than 100,000 ballots from travelers worldwide. The new award, however, resulted from a rigorous expert analysis rather than public voting. A jury evaluated over 200 regions, narrowing them down to 90 top candidates before assessing them against seven strict criteria. These factors included wine heritage, native grape varieties, quality, sustainable tourism, culinary offerings, and the interplay between nature and culture. The success reflects years of coordinated effort led by the Regional Development Agency for Podravje-Maribor. Karmen Razlag, head of the tourism sector at the agency, explained that the result stems from long-term cooperation among destinations, partners, and members of the Vinorodna Styria association. This group currently links 28 prominent wineries, major cellars, and family estates. Local stakeholders focused on building a shared destination rather than adhering to municipal boundaries. Today, this collective includes 41 municipalities and seven tourist areas. These zones comprise Maribor, Ptuj, Slovenia’s Jerusalem, Haloze, Slovenian Hills, Ravno Polje, and Pohorje. Key assets cited in the evaluation include the world’s oldest vine, which is over 400 years old and located in Maribor’s Lent district. The region also boasts the oldest Slovenian archival wine, dating to 1917 and stored in Ptuj cellar. Additionally, Gornja Radgona holds a rich sparkling wine tradition beginning in 1852. Unique terraced and steep vineyards stretch from Haloze to the iconic heart of the vineyards. Tourism experts highlight the region’s ability to transition quickly from urban bustle to wine-covered hills. This blend of urban and natural elements inspired the slogan “urban-natural enjoyment.” The regional graphic identity features a spark, inspired by a traditional rattle, symbolizing a rising star on the global tourism map. Among recognized producers is Posestvo Hlade, situated on the outskirts of Maribor in Sobr above Kamnica. Once a mixed farm, it has transformed into a notable cellar for premium Styrian wines. Urban, representing the third generation, is increasingly taking over viticulture and winemaking duties. Separately, the Pohorje-Kozjak Trail offers a new long-distance hiking route connecting two diverse hill areas in northeastern Slovenia. The 187-kilometer path is divided into 20 stages with a total walking time of approximately 63 hours. The first ten stages cross the forested Pohorje, while the latter ten traverse the more rugged Kozjak. The trail connects natural and cultural landmarks, including Lovrenc Lakes, highland plateaus, viewpoints, homesteads, and villages above the Drava River. It suits both multi-day hikes and individual stage selections. In a related cultural development, the City of Izola opened the Dante Visitor Centre in the ground floor of the renovated Podestà Palace. Located at Verdi Street 1, the center presents the life and work of the Italian poet, writer, philosopher, and political theorist Dante Alighieri, considered the father of the Italian literary language. The palace dates back to the 13th century and is the second oldest in Izola. The renovation aims to integrate the historic building into the city’s cultural life. The core of the center is a memorial room dedicated to Dante’s life and creative output. Project leader Darja Dobrila stated that the space serves residents and visitors seeking to understand Izola through its history, literature, and heritage. It also targets schools, cultural institutions, and research bodies interested in modern interpretations of literary legacy. The Dante project involves six partners, three each from Slovenia and Italy. The City of Izola leads the initiative alongside the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the Tolmin Museum, and the IRRIS Institute for research, development, and strategies for society, culture, and environment. Italian partners include the municipalities of Tolmezzo and Ceggia. Visitor centers were also established in Tolmin and Ceggia. A transborder literary path connects locations linked to Dante’s heritage in both countries. This route aims to boost international recognition and serves as a foundation for a future application to the Council of Europe Cultural Routes program. The total project value is 1.37 million euros, co-financed by the EU under the Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia 2021-2027 program. Izola obtained 398,000 euros in European funds, allocating roughly 180,000 euros specifically for the center’s setup. The municipality also contributed its own resources for paving and new drainage systems.