Vitanje Občina Vitanje |
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Town and Municipality | |
Location of the Municipality of Vitanje in Slovenia |
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Location of the Town of Vitanje in Slovenia | |
Coordinates: 46°23′N 15°18′E / 46.383°N 15.300°ECoordinates: 46°23′N 15°18′E / 46.383°N 15.300°E | |
Country | Slovenia |
Government | |
• Mayor | Slavko Vetrih |
Area | |
• Total | 59.4 km2 (22.9 sq mi) |
Population (2002) | |
• Total | 2,317 |
• Density | 39/km2 (100/sq mi) |
Time zone | CET (UTC+01) |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+02) |
Vitanje (pronounced [ˈʋiːtanjɛ]) is a small town and a municipality in northeastern Slovenia. It lies on the Hudinja River north of Celje. Traditionally the area was part of the Styria region. The municipality is now included in the Savinja Statistical Region. From the 11th century onwards it became a regional centre and was granted market rights in 1306.
The parish church in the settlement is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Celje. Its nave dates to the early 13th century with 14th-century frescos, a 15th-century sanctuary, and 18th-century side chapels. A second church in the settlement is dedicated to Mary Help of Christians. It was built between 1747 and 1754 and its spire heightened in 1812.
In 2012, the Cultural Centre of European Space Technologies (KSEVT) was built in Vitanje. The building is on the one hand the main cultural venue of Vitanje and on the other hand an institute for composite research of art and science in space. KSEVT Institute organizes research activities, exhibitions, conferences, symposia and educational workshops.