Enter Oton Župančič's world

Oton Župančič Memorial House

Discover the poet, his native Bela Krajina and his rich poetic legacy through contemporary exhibitions and interactive experiences.

Collage: a portrait of Oton Župančič in front of an orange circle, the Memorial House in Vinica, the book Ciciban, and the moon, the sun and Ciciban from his poems
Co-funded by the European Union
Bela Krajina – Home of Warm-Hearted People

Opening hours

To be announced

Opening hours will be announced when the house reopens.

Location

Vinica, Bela Krajina

The Oton Župančič Memorial House stands in the centre of Vinica, right by the main road, about 500 metres before the Vinica border crossing.

Events

To be announced

We will publish the events programme as it takes shape. Follow our latest news and announcements.

Visit us

Plan Your Visit

Two visitors with headphones listening to the audio guide at a display case

Check opening hours, ticket prices and everything worth knowing before you set off.

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A guide dressed as Oton Župančič reading from a book

Discover the house and Župančič’s world through a guided tour tailored to individuals and groups.

For schools and kindergartens

The façade of the Oton Župančič Memorial House with verses written on it

Programmes, workshops and guided tours bring Župančič’s work closer to children and primary and secondary school students.

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Two costumed actors with a cake in front of a full hall of visitors

Experiences that bring together literature, local stories, Bela Krajina and the flavours of the region.

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A child and an adult leafing through an illustrated picture book

Discover Župančič in a slightly different way through experiences for the whole family.

Location

The façade of the Memorial House on the main road in Vinica

The Oton Župančič Memorial House stands in the centre of Vinica, right by the main road, about 500 metres before the Vinica border crossing.

Portrait of Oton Župančič with round glasses on aged paper

I am glad my cradle stood in Bela Krajina, so full of light and harmony.

Between Life and Art

Get to know the poet whose rich body of poetry for adults and children left its mark on Slovenian and European culture.

Oton Župančič, one of the renowned four authors of Slovenian modernism, ranks among the most important poets in the history of Slovenian literature. His poetic world ranges from intimate, confessional and patriotic lyric poetry to works for children and young people. With his translations of world classics such as Shakespeare and Molière, he is one of the founders of modern Slovenian literary translation. Right here, in the place of his childhood and earliest memories, we can get to know the master of words a little differently.

Exhibitions

The permanent exhibitions present the poet’s life and work, the history of Vinica on the Kolpa river and Ciciban’s World for the youngest. They are complemented by temporary exhibitions.

The book Ciciban in a visitor’s hands
An exhibition for the youngest that invites them, through play and exploration, into the world of Župančič’s poems and stories for children.
A framed comic illustration with a sailing boat on a white gallery wall
The exhibition presents a comic-book interpretation of the famous play King Ubu.

Experiences

Two glasses of red wine, an open book of poetry and local delicacies on a wooden table

Experience

Poetry reading, a tasting of wines and local delicacies, and a tour of the collection at the Oton Župančič Memorial House.

Children drawing birds and plants next to an illustrated book

Experience

A playful introduction to the poet’s childhood in Vinica through an animated guided tour, songs and movement games.

A view through the window of the river and the town, with an open book and glasses on the table

Župančič’s texts, the history of Vinica and the museum collection, brought together with interactive and digital content.

Black-and-white portrait of Oton Župančič in his mature years

2028 will be the year of Oton Župančič

To mark the 150th anniversary of his birth, 2028 will be dedicated nationally to his life, work and literary legacy.

The Župančič Year will bring together events, exhibitions, programmes and other content that will bring the poet’s work closer to visitors of all generations. An important part of the celebrations will be the renovated Oton Župančič Memorial House in Vinica, which, with its new museum display, contemporary content and experiences, will open a new chapter of Župančič’s world.

The year 2028 will thus be an opportunity to rediscover his work, his relationship to language and place, and the significance his legacy still holds today.

From the guestbook

A truly wonderful collection that shows the greatness of this patriotic poet. All praise and every good wish to the museum for the future.

Katarina Šturm Osvald

Dear all, excellent guiding, very interesting – children and teachers alike were delighted.

Poljane Primary School, Ljubljana

School group

Thank you so much for this fascinating insight into the life and work of our Slovenian poet Oton Župančič! A very friendly and pleasant guide!

Alma and Jernej Javornik

From Kranj to Bela Krajina, to your lovely museum. Now off for pizza and a swim without limits.

Tina

It was lovely to go back to the time when we learned about Oton Župančič.

Nada and Janislav

In a word – lovely!

Marinka