Celje, Slovenija... Aleš' home town

Celje has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. The name that it holds today is the derivation of the original name Kelleia, a major Celtic settlement in the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C.
In the Roman times the name changed to Celeia (Latin) and the town flourished as a Roman administrative center. There have been many Roman artifacts found in Celje and close surrounding, proving the Roman rule lasted there for about 4 centuries.

In the beginning of the 14th century the Couts of Celje made this city their home. They ruled for a period of two centuries, and with their prominent rule the town grew, and grew. On April 11, 1451, Friderik II, Prince of Celje, granted the title Town of Celje. Magnificent cultural monuments such as the Old Castle above the town, the splendid County House, and the City Castle testify to this great chapter in the history of Celje.

From then on Celje quickly developed into a successful trade and commercial center. Industry expanded and the town flourished. Today it is the third largest city in Slovenija and it is an administrative, business, economic, commercial, cultural, educational, medical, sports, and market center of the region. Celje also hosts the second largest International Trade fair in Europe.