Slovenian countryside - the village Zice
Here are some images of my home village Zice, taken from various sources.
History says the village Zice has settled between the banks of the river Dravinja and the brook Zicnica. The surrounding wheat fields have given the village its name – Zice (from zito = Eng. Wheat ). The settlement is first mentioned in the books in the year 1082, when the nearby monastery Zicka Kartuzija was founded. It is located in the central-eastern part of Slovenia in the Stajerska region, half way between Celje and Maribor. Close by are the spa Zrece and the ski resort Rogla.
The villagers are predominantly involved with agriculture or employed in the neighboring cities. Livestock represents the major source of income which is recently accompanied with viniculture and growing tourism.
Zice are part of the municipality Slovenske Konjice and have the status of independent local community. The village houses a 12th century church, a primary school and a collection of voluntary societies. The oldest among them is the educational society with its centenary anniversary of activities celebrated in 2001. After Slovenia gained independence in 1991 the natural treasures and historic heritage became the forefront of the expanding tourist industry. The later is reflected in the foundation of the tourist society in 1992, with a duty to preserve and present the local distinctions and centuries old habits to the general public and our descendants.
Apart from friendly welcome, the visitor has a unique option of admiring a rare plant – the flower Zicki grobelnik, which grows on the foot of the abandoned Zice quarry. Just opposite we find one of the oldest buildings, dating back to the 15th century. Here the restored water powered wheatmill and sawmill offer a rare demonstration of how human has harnessed the energy of nature in the past centuries to ease himself the struggle of survival.
Out of many old habits once creating a centrepiece of the rural life, the crafts of hand forging and basketry are still present and are on display for the interested onlooker. Of course no visit of the village Zice would be complete without the compulsory visit of the vineyards, where the visitors can relax in the intact natural environment, accompanied with the local cuisine and a drop of the dark red wine.
