The town of Žalec lies in the heart of the Savinja Valley at an elevation of around 255 m, close to the left bank of the Savinja River. Its position at the crossroads of important routes between Celje, Velenje, and the Lower Savinja Valley enabled the settlement to develop early as the natural centre of the region. As the administrative seat of the municipality, Žalec is the focal point of Slovenian hop‑growing, which gives the town its distinctive identity as the “valley of green gold”.
Žalec has a rich history reaching back to the early Middle Ages. The first written mention of the settlement dates to 1182 (“Saxel”), confirming its early importance within the estates of the Patriarchate of Aquileia and later the Counts of Celje. The historical pulse of the town is most evident in the old market centre, where remnants of medieval layout blend with later market‑town architecture. From the former fortified church, part of the defensive wall and a defensive tower from the first half of the 16th century have been preserved, bearing witness to the turbulent period of Ottoman incursions.
An important part of Žalec’s cultural identity is the renowned Širče Homestead from 1669, the birthplace of composer Friderik Širca – Risto Savin, one of the most significant Slovenian musicians at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Žalec is also connected with other notable Slovenians, including poet and translator Oton Župančič, who spent part of his youth in the town, as well as numerous hop‑growing experts who shaped the development of this important agricultural tradition.
The wider surroundings of Žalec offer numerous cultural and natural attractions: to the east stands the Baroque Novo Celje Mansion, one of the finest examples of late Baroque architecture in Slovenia; in Petrovče rises the impressive Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, an important pilgrimage site; and to the southeast stretches the Vrbje Pond, a protected natural area and a popular spot for birdwatching and recreation. For lovers of adrenaline, there is the climbing area Kotečnik, while history enthusiasts can explore the Zabukovica–Liboje Mining Museum and nearby Šempeter with its Roman necropolis, one of the most important archaeological sites in Slovenia.
Today, Žalec is a modern administrative, economic, and educational centre of the Lower Savinja Valley. In addition to hop‑growing, which remains the symbol of the town, entrepreneurship, tourism, and cultural activities are steadily developing. The town centre, with the famous Green Gold Beer Fountain, numerous events, and well‑maintained public spaces, attracts visitors from near and far. Žalec thus preserves its historical identity while evolving into a vibrant regional hub that successfully connects tradition with contemporary life.