MARKET TOWNS
Beneath the castles and at intersections of important trade routes, settlements were erected and slowly expanded into market towns (Kunšperk, Podsreda, Kozje, Pilštanj, Podčetrtek). Most came into existence in the 14th and 15th centuries. The position of those market towns beneath important road passes and slopes or on top of hills promoted the settlement of craftsmen that were important for travelling salesmen and people who transported cargo. Among those were blacksmiths, wheelwrights, belt manufacturers, saddle makers, rope makers and others. Road conditions called for a break, rest, repairs, reloading, and accommodation.
In market towns, trade at prestigious annual fairs, later joined by weekly markets played an important role. Market towns therefore have a location for markets and fairs where the trading took place. Also the judicial function was performed in market towns. As an external symbol of the judicial system, there are two pillories (in Podsreda and Pilštanj) intended for punishing offenders.
Former market towns kept developing, exceeding their narrow defined medieval role. They started being the centre of new areas of life with schools, administrative offices, medical institutions, society headquarters, cultural centres, as well as shops. They became regional centres and many of them have by far surpassed the former confined medieval borders.
Podsreda Market Town
As a market town with the usual market rights and privileges it is first mentioned in 1377. Today, the pillory – “pranger” is still a reminder of that era.
The development of the Podsreda market town was centered around a narrow, oblong space on a somewhat elevated terrace. Since the town never grew past its edge, it was always protected from flooding. The biggest danger to urban settlements was fire since it was hard to keep under control due to numerous wooden structures, unsuitable chimneys, low-quality construction as well as due to the distance from water. Podsreda experienced the rage of fire having burned down twice. Therefore, all the houses in the market town, including the church, were built after 1798, when the first fire ruined Podsreda.
The skyline of the town is distinctively dominated by the Church of St. John the Baptist, constructed at the beginning of the 19th century, which replaced an older building. Today, Podsreda is an interesting market town with a traditional market town parcellation. The ground plan of the settlement is funnel shaped. The main street is bordered by townhouses on both sides, their longer side facing the market space and thus forming the “facade” edge of the market. With its position, it belongs to the few areas with an extraordinary cultural landscape. The settlement is a cultural monument.
Kunšperk Market Town
Kunšperk, today a cultural monument, was established as a market village under the eponymous castle. In the 16th century, it is mentioned as a settlement with market rights. The original route between Podčetrtek and Brežice used to run through Kunšperk and the Zelenjak gorge along the Sotla. In the settlement, there used to be a toll house, a fortified tower, a cemetery, and the Church of St. James, which burnt down. Merely a stone console and the late-Gothic wooden statue of St. James Sr. have been preserved of all the church furnishings.
In 1573, one of the largest peasant revolts took place in this area – the Croatian-Slovenian peasant revolt. On the way back from Planina, the nobility of Styria and the rebellious peasants fought a battle on Kunšperk Field, in which the peasants were defeated after a hard-fought battle. Numerous structures with the traditional architecture have been preserved in the former square. Among them is the Kravarič homestead, which consists of three buildings: a 19th century thatched house, a pig sty, and an agricultural building with a basement and granary. Near the house, there is a chapel dedicated to Mary of the Divine Heart, which was built by Neža and Jožef Kravarič in 1909.
The settlement is a cultural monument.
Kozje Market Town
Kozje belongs to the oldest market towns in the area in question and has also given the name to the region in the center of which it is located.
Kozje is mentioned as a settlement – Trachendorf – as early as 1130, and became a market town before 1348. In 1802, it became the seat of the parish and deanery of Pilštanj. Kozje came to life towards the middle of the 19th century. In 1855, it became the seat of a judicial and tax district, an armoury station and other administrative bodies, and the craft and catering industries flourished. After World War II, industry developed: Mont and Dekor, education, health, hospitality.
The old town centre has preserved the precious architectural heritage of residential and commercial structures and also hosts the parish Church of the Virgin Mary. It features picturesque one- and two-story houses with interesting portals and facades, as well as the former municipal house.
Since 1991, Kozje has again been the seat of an independent municipality.
The settlement is a cultural monument.
Pilštanj Market Town
The market town of Pilštanj is one of the settlements in Kozjansko that has one of the most picturesque positions in the landscape, above the Bistrica valley.
It was first mentioned as a market town in 1404 and received market rights in 1432, thus also receiving the right to hold a fair on the day of the parish’s patron saint St. Michael. The pillory or “pranger” has also been preserved. It could date to the 17th century, i.e. the same as in Podsreda. The purpose of the punishment at the pillory was mainly public ridicule and exposure.
Pilštanj boasts a large silver seal dating from the mid-15th century. It bears the inscription “Sigillium civitas Peilnstain” and the coat of arms of Pilštanj in the middle. Today, it is preserved in the Museum of Posavje in Brežice.
Pilštanj began to lose its role in the 19th century, when the road was moved from the Pilštanj saddle to the valley. At that time, most of the functions were taken over by Lesično in the valley.
The settlement is a cultural monument.
More information: http://www.td-pilstanj.si/
