Jeruzalem: razgledni vinorodni greben v Slovenskih goricah
Jeruzalem is a small hamlet on a ridge of the Slovenske gorice, between Ljutomer and Ormož, in the middle of the wine-growing Prlekija. The name is unusual, but the place itself is above all a viewpoint with a pilgrimage church, surrounded by vineyards that descend the hills in every direction. If you are looking for a day among wine-growing hills, without crowds and without a plan, Jeruzalem is a quiet stop in Prlekija.
Zakaj v Jeruzalem
This is not a destination with a large number of sights; its main reason for a visit is the landscape, so you visit it for the view, the wine and the slow pace. The Slovenske gorice are hills with long ridges along which roads run and beside which there are vineyards, so every bend is a new view. You can spend the day by car, by bike or on foot, without a particular goal. For a visitor looking for laid-out attractions and a programme, the place is too small and too reliant on the landscape.
Kaj videti na grebenu
The centre of the hamlet is the pilgrimage church at the top of the ridge, the most recognisable motif of this part of Prlekija. From it a view opens over the vineyards and the Slovenske gorice, and in clear weather you can see far towards the Pannonian Plain. In the surroundings there are wine cellars and inns, strung along the ridge and the wine road, and half a day is enough for a visit if you combine it with one cellar or one lunch.
Vino in vinska cesta
Prlekija is a wine-growing region, and its best-known white variety is Šipon, which elsewhere in the world is called Furmint. The wine road links the cellars along the ridges, so you can plan the route as a loop between Ljutomer, Jeruzalem and Ormož. Try the wine at a winemaker, as this way you will more easily learn the differences between cellars and styles, and visits are as a rule guided and small, so announce them in advance.
Kam s kolesom
The Slovenske gorice are popular with cyclists, because the climbs are short but repeat often, and the view is almost constant. The roads among the vineyards are narrow and little used, so they are suitable for road cycling and for longer loops. Choose your route by the elevation gain rather than the kilometres, because the short climbs on the ridges quickly add up. Everything arranged as an experience you can view among doživetji v Jeruzalemu.
Kaj in kje jesti
Prlekija cuisine means meat dishes, zaseka, home-made bread and gibanica, accompanied by local white wines. The offer is scattered across the ridges and tied to inns by the cellars, so when choosing, what matters above all is whether you will drive or walk. For a wider choice you can drive to Ljutomer or in Ormož. Ob koncu tedna je rezervacija smiselna, ker so gostilne majhne.
Where to go on a day trip
Jeruzalem is a good starting point for Prlekija and for Prekmurje. To the southwest is Ormož, kjer je Pokrajinski muzej Ptuj Ormož, in naprej Ptuj z gradom. Proti severovzhodu se odpre Prekmurje z Moravskimi Toplicami and with a thermal offer. If you are planning several days, take a look at the whole destination Thermal Pannonian Slovenia.
Where to stay
Jeruzalem currently has no accommodation offer of its own on the portal, so look for it in the nearby places. The closest choice is in Ljutomer, večja in termalna pa v Moravske Toplice. Since distances across Prlekija are short, you do not lose much time driving. For a cellar visit it makes sense to choose accommodation so that you will not drive after the tasting.
Kdaj priti
Autumn is the best, because the grape harvest takes place then and the colours in the wine hills are at their strongest. Late spring is just as rewarding, because the landscape is green and the temperatures not yet high. Summer is hot and without shade, so plan sightseeing and cycling loops for the morning or the evening. In winter the place is quiet and the view is still there, but the offer in the cellars and inns is more limited.
