Located on the banks of the Ledava River, Lendava is a historic Slovenian town near one of the country’s border crossings with Hungary. It was a district of the Kingdom of Hungary until 1918 and was once home to a large Jewish community, with its synagogue one of only two remaining in Slovenia today.
Things to do in Lendava
One of the town’s most important buildings is Lendava Castle, which was originally established as a fortification in the 12th century. It was restored and rebuilt several times throughout the years, with the current Baroque structure dating back to the late 17th century. Today, the castle houses the Lendava-Lendva Gallery and Museum, which regularly hosts art exhibitions and restoration workshops.
Don’t miss the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, a 17th-century temple that stands on the site of its 12th-century predecessor. Take note of the statue dedicated to Lendava’s patron, Saint Florian, standing outside the church and admire the three-story bell tower with its onion domes. The interior features a beautiful altar designed by the Italian 19th-century master, Felix Barazutti.
Occupying a magnificent residence on Lendava's main street is the Museum of Bourgeoisie, Printing and Umbrella Making, which showcases the cultural and industrial history of the region. Learn about the pharmacy opened by Bela Kiss in 1835 and the importance of the region’s printing industry in the hands of the Balkanyi family, as well as the umbrella factory that was founded here in 1904.
Getting around Lendava
Lendava is around one hour’s drive from Maribor and two hours from Ljubljana. Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport is 1.5 hours away and has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Regular buses connect to Lendava and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.