Ljutomer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ljutomer
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Town
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 .jpg)   From top, left to right: Ljutomer's Center, Town Hall, St. John's Church, Outer part of town
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 Ljutomer
Location in Slovenia
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| Country |  Slovenia |
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| Traditional region | Styria | |
| Statistical region | Mura | |
| Municipality | Ljutomer | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 8.00 km2 (3.09 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 171.5 m (562.7 ft) | |
| Population
(2023)
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| • Total | 3,244 | |
| Vehicle registration | MS | |
| Climate | Dfb | |
Ljutomer (pronounced LYOO-toh-mer) is a town in northeastern Slovenia. It is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Maribor. Ljutomer is the main town of the Municipality of Ljutomer. It is known for its grape farms and making delicious wine.
Contents
Understanding the Name of Ljutomer
The name Ljutomer has changed a lot over time! In old records from 1211, it was called Lvtenwerde. Later, it was also known as Lutenberg. The names ending in -berg were for the town itself, while -werd referred to the wider area around it.
For a long time, the only Slovene name for the town was Lotmerk, which came from German. The modern Slovene name, Ljutomer, was first used around 1838. People thought the name came from an old Slavic tribe. Today, locals sometimes still call the town Lotmerg or Lotmerk.
A Look at Ljutomer's History
Ljutomer is located in the heart of the Prlekija region. It was first written about in documents in 1242. In 1265, it gained the right to hold a market, which was a big deal for trade!
The town faced many challenges over the years. It suffered from the plague and several fires. It also had to defend itself from attacks by the Ottomans and Hungarians.
A very important event happened in Ljutomer in 1868. This was the first "tabor" (a large public gathering) where people supported the idea of a United Slovenia. This was a key moment for Slovenian national identity.
Before 1918, many people in the town spoke German, but the areas around Ljutomer were mostly Slovene-speaking. Ljutomer officially became a town in 1927. Today, the town library, museum, and art gallery help keep the spirit of Slovenian national awakening alive.
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1948 | 1,655 | — |
| 1953 | 1,964 | +18.7% |
| 2033 | 1,961 | −0.2% |
| 2033 | 1,971 | +0.5% |
| 2656 | 1,981 | +0.5% |
| 3314 | 1,991 | +0.5% |
| 3658 | 2,002 | +0.6% |
| 3413 | 2,011 | +0.4% |
| 3460 | 2,021 | +0.5% |
| 3308 | — | |
| Population size may be affected by changes in administrative divisions. | ||
Exploring Ljutomer's Architecture
Ljutomer's town center has three main squares, each with a special shrine. These shrines are like small monuments or chapels.
Old Square's Chapel
On Old Square (Stari trg), you'll find a small chapel dedicated to Saint Anne. It was built in 1756 and later updated in 1853. Inside, you can see beautiful wall paintings of Saint Anthony and Saint Florian.
Main Square's Monument
Main Square (Glavni trg) has a large monument dedicated to the Virgin Mary. At the top of a tall column is a statue of the Virgin Mary. At the bottom, there are statues of Saint Roch and Saint Sebastian. This monument was put up in 1729 by the mayor at that time, Matjaž Petek. It was fixed up in 1854.
Miklosich Square's Chapel
On Miklosich Square (Miklošičev trg), there is another small chapel. This one is dedicated to Saint Florian. It was built in 1736 and was once part of the church's walled area.
The Parish Church
The main church in Ljutomer is called the parish church and is dedicated to John the Baptist. It was originally a Gothic style building. Later, in the late 1600s, it was changed into a triple-naved Baroque building with a walled area around it.
Notable People from Ljutomer
- Mojca Senčar (1940–2019), a well-known physician.
- Franc Gorza, a singer.
