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.
Who was the poet whose cradle stood in Bela Krajina?
Oton Župančič
A poet, translator, and one of the central voices of Slovenian Modernism. Discover his life, work, and the landscape that shaped him.
From Vinica and Dragatuš to Vienna, Paris and Ljubljana.
The poet’s life in four periods, from 1878 to 1949.
The landscape of his childhood, to which he kept returning in his poems and writings.
Excerpts from letters in which he writes about his home region and its people.
Poetry collections, works for children, drama and translations.
1878–1949
Between poetry, imagination and Bela Krajina
Together with Ivan Cankar, Dragotin Kette and Josip Murn, Oton Župančič laid the foundations of Slovenian modernism.
He was born on 23 January 1878 in Vinica and spent his childhood in Dragatuš. He wrote intimate and socially engaged poetry and poems for children – the best known of which is Ciciban – and translated most of Shakespeare’s plays into Slovenian.
Throughout his life, he returned in his poems and writings to Bela Krajina, to its light, its people and its language.
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.
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.