Municipality of Šmarje pri Jelšah

Sankt Marein bei Erlachstein is a municipality in Lower Styria in eastern Slovenia, spread across valleys and rolling hills. The area features rural settlements and green landscapes typical of this part of the country.

The place was originally part of a larger judicial district comprising several neighboring areas. Following World War One, it became part of Yugoslavia in 1919.

The place carries a dual identity reflected in its two names, Šmarje pri Jelšah and Sankt Marein bei Erlachstein, which show how Slovene and German-speaking communities shaped the region. This bilingual heritage remains visible today in local traditions and how residents refer to their home.

The area is connected to larger Slovenian cities by regular bus services. Walking trails throughout the countryside offer ways to explore the rural landscape.

The area is rich with regional traditions shaped over generations by farming and local crafts. Many of these practices remain visible in how the land is used and cared for today.

GPS coordinates: 46.22897,15.52026

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:28