Župančič and Bela Krajina

In his thoughts, Oton regularly returned to his native Bela Krajina. His poems and writings attest to this.

“My early youth was beautiful”

My early youth was beautiful, and to this day I am glad that I spent it in the village and in Bela Krajina, among cheerful and bright-minded people who, even in hard times, were accompanied by song, dance and laughter.

“Do you know, children, what it means to have bare feet, a bare head and an open shirt, so that mud and dust, water and wind, sun and cold can reach right down to your skin? I remember the main playground at Majar in my native village of Vinica, where we played and fought our first battles for honour and distinction, and the banks of the Kolpa, where there was no end to sunbathing and swimming.”

Dragatuš

“Then we moved with our parents to Dragatuš. I remember how the whole village was ours back then; no fence was a real barrier – if you didn’t jump over it or step across at the stile, you somehow tumbled or climbed over it. We knew when every tree was ripe, and like starlings we moved from good to better.”

Oton Župančič

Coming home

In his thoughts, Oton regularly returned to his native Bela Krajina, as his poems and writings attest. We invite you to visit us, to feel and discover Župančič’s Bela Krajina and to take a peek into the world of Ciciban.

Visit us

Koder hodim, vedno in povsod me spremlja mogočni šum Kolpe, ki se preliva pod viniškim gradom čez jez, in rahlo žuborenje Dobreća, studenca, skritega blizu Dragatuša v najtišji dragi sveta.

Povej mi kdo, kam oblaki plujo, kam ptice lete, kam vode teko, kam človek gre.

Iz slovstva za deco je najboljše komaj dovolj dobro.

Vesel sem, da mi je tekla zibka v Beli krajini, polni svetlobe in blagoglasja.

Mlad, mlad – to se pravi v srcu vsega življenja.

Kuj me, življenje, kuj!

Meh za smeh in vrečo sreče Ciciban za nami vleče, ne za hišo zidano, le za voljo židano.

Predaj se vetrom – naj gre, kamor hoče! Naj srce se navriska in izjoče! Vendar mornar, ko je najvišji dan, izmeri daljo in nebeško stran.

Odpri vrata, krajina mi bela, svetla in vesela, bodi v nji vsa zlata.

Kdor ljubi vino, z njim sem brž ubran, kdor ljubi ženo, mi je blagrovan, kdor ljubi knjigo, bodi spoštovan, vi ljubite vse troje – ne bova si nadvoje.

Veš, poet, svoj dolg?

Podaj mi roko, pesem, ti me vodi.

Frequently asked questions

We have gathered answers to the questions visitors ask most often. If you can’t find an answer, write to us or give us a call.

Do I need to book a ticket in advance?

No, you buy your ticket on arrival, on site. Advance booking is only required for groups and guided tours – call us at 07 306 43 43 or write to zupancic.vinica@ric-belakrajina.si.

Do you offer programmes for schools?

Yes. For kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, we offer educational programmes, workshops and guided tours tailored to the children’s age. To arrange a date and content, call us at 07 306 43 43 or write to zupancic.vinica@ric-belakrajina.si.

Where can I check the opening hours?

Opening hours will be announced before the house reopens. More on the Opening Hours page. You can also call us about a visit on a particular date.

How can I book a group visit?

You can book a group by phone at 07 306 43 43, by email at zupancic.vinica@ric-belakrajina.si or using the form on the Contact page. Let us know your preferred date, the size of the group and the age of the participants.

Is the house dog-friendly?

Dogs are not allowed inside the Oton Župančič Memorial House. During your visit they can wait outside, where there is a shady spot for them, and we will also provide fresh water.

How do I get to the Memorial House?

The Memorial House is located in the centre of Vinica, at Vinica 9. You will find directions and a link to the map on the Getting Here page.