Novo Mesto is a city and municipality in the southeastern Slovenia. The area was traditionally part of Lower Carniola. It is now included in the Southeast Slovenia statistical region. It covers a total area of 298.5 sq km, along with a bend in the Krka River and the city is considered the economic and cultural center of Lower Carniola. On 7 April 2006, it became the see for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Novo Mesto, which is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ljubljana. The main church in the city is dedicated to Saint Nicholas and is an originally Gothic building that was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 17th century. The city represents one of the most important archeological sites of the Hallstatt culture in the Early Iron Age and has been nicknamed the “City of Situlas” after numerous situlas found in the area.
History of Novo Mesto
It was founded as Rudolfswert or Rudolfovo on 7 April 1365, named after its founder, the Habsburg Archduke Rudolf IV of Austria, though there have been settlements in the area since pre-history.
Following World War I and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, the city officially became Novo Mesto although it had been informally known as such since its founding. It was known as Neustadtl or ‘new town’ in German. During World War II the city passed back and forth between Germany and Italy, finally settling in German hands.
In 1958, a highway between Ljubljana and Zagreb in Croatia was finished. It passed through Novo Mesto and connected the cities of the former Yugoslavia. Now, this highway is part of the European E70 highway. With the construction of this highway, Novo Mesto became much better connected to the rest of Slovenia and the rest of Yugoslavia and began to grow as an important regional center.
Tourist Attractions
Today, tourism is increasing in Slovenia, and Novo Mesto is feeling some of the effects of this. The Krka Valley is becoming a place for wine enthusiasts who take tours throughout the Lower Carniola region, tasting locally produced Cvicek wine, which is produced by blending several different varieties of local wine.
According to the census of 2002, it has 40,925 inhabitants, 20,017 male, and 20,908 female. The average age of the inhabitants is 39.58.Additionally, there is 29,124,565 sq km or 11,245,057 sq mi of residential area, and the inhabitants live in a total of 13,796 households and 11,408 families.
Metropolis of Dolenjska
Novo Mesto, also called the metropolis of Dolenjska, was founded in the year 1365 when the Austrian Archduke Rudolf IV granted city rights to the town at the end of the Krka River. Officially called Rudolsfwerd, it grew as Novo Mesto and soon became an administration, cultural, religious and business center of Dolenjska. Novo Mesto is situated in the midst of the hilly landscape of Dolenjska, embraced by the Krka River.
An abundance of nature, tradition, and culture can be a real experience for every visitor of Novo Mesto. The Krka Valley, located just above Novo Mesto, one of the most beautiful river valleys in Slovenia with tender banks, picturesque rapids and natural dams which emphasize its nature. Special attractions include numerous mills and castles which, combined with the landscape seem anachronistic in our present day. One can select from a variety of viewpoints, pilgrimage trails, sports and other facilities and forests rich with walking paths, hunting possibilities, forest fruits for picking, and fishing. In the town, tourists will find numerous monuments, and in the Museum of Dolenjska, an amazing archaeological wealth as well.