Rogaška Slatina, healing water and a royal getaway

Rogaška Slatina is the perfect combination of untouched Slovenian nature, the richest magnesium water in the world, and an interesting history.  In the place where emperors and kings once rested, today you can, and only a few hours’ drive from home!

This is a perfect place to escape for the weekend: from drinking a medicinal Donat Mg in the magnificent Pivnica, a walk in the park where Franz Liszt broke the strings on the piano, wellness, delicious food, to the view from the 106-meter-high Stolp Kristal tower…

A weekend like this literally resets you, because Rogaška Slatina is a spring of health and a luxurious vacation.

Rogaška park

Disclosure:
This text contains affiliate links, which means that if you book a hotel through them, I can earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks.

📌How to get to Rogaška Slatina

Rogaška  Slatina is located among picturesque hills in the southeast of the Slovenian province of Styria, near the border with Croatia. It is located about 30 km east of Celje, 48 km from Maribor and 112 km from Ljubljana.
🚗 By car
The fastest way to get there from Belgrade (480 km) is by highway via Zagreb to Maribor, where you turn off for Rogaška Slatina. You can get there from Ljubljana in about an hour and a half via Celje.

✈️By plane
The closest airport is in Ljubljana; from there, you can take a rental car or a bus to the Ljubljana Bus Station and then to Rogaška Slatina.

👑 Rogaška Slatina, from myth and “miraculous spring”
to the Habsburg court

🐴  According to legend, the Greek god Apollo sent the mythological winged horse Pegasus, the son of the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon and the mythical Medusa, to strike the earth with his hoof, with the message that there lies a source of health and divine strength. Today, Pegasus is the symbol of the town. It is placed in the coat of arms and on the flag of the Municipality of Rogaška Slatina.

Pegasus bronze sculpture, with wings and a golden hoof on the right foreleg, stands at the centre of Rogaška Slatina. The statue was erected in July 2008, and it is believed to bring good luck if you touch the golden hoof 🍀

Pegasus statue at the centre of Rogaška Slatina

The history of Rogaška Well

The myths sound like a fairy tale. But the real history is linked to the oldest document from 1141, when the water was mentioned for the first time. More precisely, it is a cadastral document between two owners with a note that there was a well with acidic water in Rogaška place. According to some archaeological findings, the benefits of mineral water were known even in Roman times.

The story of the healing water dates back to 1665, when the Croatian ban Petar Zrinski, while hunting, with severe pain in the liver, tasted the water from this “miraculous spring”. The pain disappeared, and the story about the healing water reached Vienna.

Replica: the scene with Ban Petar Zrinski in the well

The Viennese imperial doctor Paul Sorbait published the first detailed study of its medical value in 1685. Both doctors and European nobility were intrigued by these springs, which triggered the emergence of modern spa tourism and the discovery of the famous healing water, Donat Mg.

In 1687, the Maribor doctor J.B. Gründel published the first monograph, Roitschocrene (Rogaška spring), which is also considered the first official historical record about the source of healing mineral water in Rogaška Slatina.

Museum Anin dvor, Roitschocrene monograph, 1867

A team of 11 Viennese apothecaries was the first to receive permission, ie., a concession, to sell the water in 1772. Many years later, they sold water in special bottles all over Europe. As an expression of gratitude, they erected a monument-sculpture of St. John Nepomuk, the protector of water. The original is in the Anin dvor museum, and the replica is situated in the Lečilišni park.

In 1803, the head of the Styrian state government, Ferdinand Maria Atems, came to Rogaška Slatina, and from that moment, continuous tourism began. First, he bought land from various owners and started building the first hotels. The most famous among them is the Grand Hotel Rogaška, which you can see on every old postcard, book or graphic. A year later, he brought the first doctor and manager of the centre, Dr Johann Fröhlich, who introduced the special baths with mineral water.

In 1819, a round Tempel pavilion was built on the site of the old active spring. The spring dried up in 1952, and today, the building is used for various events.

Rogaška: Pivnica of mineral water (left), Statue of Nepomuk, Medical Centre (middle) and Temple pavilion (right), promo photo

💦Donat Mg and the development of tourism

At the beginning of the 20th century (in 1908), a deep spring of mineral water was discovered. It was named Donat after the nearby church of St. Donata. Water was exported to European courts, from Vienna and Budapest to St. Petersburg.
By the way, Rogaška was so popular that in 1903, there were direct railway lines to Belgrade, Trieste and Vienna.

💧  Donat Mg mineral water

Did you know that one litre of Donat contains 1,040 mg of magnesium?
This officially makes it the richest natural magnesium water in the world. Also, it is rich in calcium, sulfates, sodium and hydrogen carbonates. Magnesium participates in more than 300 biochemical processes in the body, and its temperature ranges between 27 ºC and 36 ºC.

The mineral water springs are at a depth of 280 to 660 meters. Benefits are numerous: it helps with problems of the gastrointestinal tract; it affects the regulation of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels; reduces stress; and it has a beneficial effect on the whole organism.

💧 Ritual in the Pivnica: how to drink Donat Mg?

In the modern Medical Centre of Rogaška, drinking this water is a pure hedonistic ritual that takes place in the Pivnica, the mineral water pavilion. Yes, you read that right, in the Pivnica. This magnificent glass building was erected in 1967, and visitors can drink mineral water there directly from the source.

Pivnica and the Medical Centre Rogaška

Warm water is drunk on an empty stomach, in the morning and before lunch, to speed up metabolism and detoxify.
Cold water is drunk before dinner to calm stress, for muscles, and to restore vitality.
And yes, the benefits are felt immediately 😀 The effect on digestion has been confirmed by clinical research as well.

In addition to Donat, you can drink Styria mineral water only in the Pivnica. It comes from the secondary Styria Spring (named after the Styria region) in the same complex. It is a milder mineralised water, and it has not been bottled since 1960.

Drinking Donat Mg at the Medical Centre Rogaška

As Dr. med. specialist Dr Tadej Durič told us, at the Rogaška Medical Centre, you can perform specialist diagnostic examinations, and rehabilitation and preventive programs with an individual approach to health are at your disposal. Also, the centre offers aesthetic and cosmetic services, as well as mineral baths that literally reset the nervous system and relax every muscle.

🌳🌸Lečilišni Park, where every hotel whispers its own story

The heart of Rogaška Slatina is the elegant Lečilišni Park, an eternally green oasis thanks to the mineral springs.

The park is decorated in the style of large European metropolises. It covers an area of ​​10,000 m2, and the greenery, roses and flowers tempt you to go for a walk.

Lečilišni Park

Besides a statue of Boris Kidrich and a statue of Janez Nepomuk near the Medicinal Centre, within the park, there is also a rare natural Ginkgo biloba tree, a monument to NOB, a monument to Count Attems (the founder of a spa resort), and an interesting weather house.

Weather House in Rogaška Slatina

🏨Best hotels in Rogaška Slatina

Several hotels surround the Lečilišni Park, and each of them has a different story to tell…

Grand Hotel Rogaška

The oldest hotel in Rogaška is the Grand Hotel Rogaška, which looks like a postcard and takes you back to another time. Its story begins in 1813, when the first Health Centre was built according to the designs of the architect Mattheus Pertsch from Trieste.

Grand Hotel Rogaška

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, aristocrats and famous European personalities stayed in the hotel and its salons. On the 25th July 1846, a concert was held by one of the greatest artists of his time, Franz Liszt. According to the story, Liszt played so passionately that the strings on the piano broke during the concert, but he continued to play to the delight of the audience.

Grand Hotel Rogaška

In 1910, the hotel hosted the celebration of the birthday of Emperor Francis Joseph I, while in 1912, the renovated complex received its famous Crystal Hall, with luxurious chandeliers and marble columns.

Crystal Hall at the Grand Hotel Rogaška, photo promo

Even today, the hotel hosts numerous dance festivals and gathers dance couples from all over the world. The most popular is the “Anna’s Dance”, with its almost 200-year tradition.

Crystal Hall of the Grand Hotel Rogaška

Grand Hotel Sava

Grand Hotel Sava is the only hotel in Rogaška with a swimming pool that has thermo-mineral water, located right on its source. Becaouse of that, you will sleep there like a baby😀 Enjoy various saunas, swimming pools, and face and body care treatments.

Grand Hotel Sava, Rogaška Slatina, photo promo, Nikola Zoko and Natania Travel

The food is excellent, especially at the Kaiser, the hotel restaurant. It is situated in the historical building from 1875, which once housed a bottling plant for the famous Rogaška mineral water.

By the way, you have a special Sunday lunch set for 19 EUR until the end of September.

Kaiser Restaurant, Grand Hotel Sava, photo Nikola Zoko and Natania Travel

The Grand Hotel Donat Superior

The Grand Hotel Donat Superior has a special story about the luxurious apartments, Aleksandar and Katarina.
Actually, they are designed for a completely different stay experience, but they can be connected. Aleksandar’s apartment has an elegant interior, a large terrace and refined details such as a 24-karat gold sink. Katarina’s apartment impresses with a spacious terrace, a jacuzzi and a view of Rogaška Slatina, ideal for a romantic weekend.

Grand Donat Hotel Superior, photo: Nikola Zoko, Natania Travel

We had a great time with the “King”, tasting delicious food and Slovenian wines.

Dinner time at the Grand Donat Hotel Superior, photo: Nikola Zoko, Natania Travel

Boutique Hotel Atlantida

The most modern hotel in Rogaška Slatina is Boutique Hotel Atlantida, located just a few steps from the Anin dvor. This luxury hotel is especially attractive to couples who like wellness and privacy.

Boutique Hotel Atlantida, Rogaška. Photo: promo, Natania Travel

The most prestigious hotel suite is the Presidential suite, of 76 m2, located on the highest floor with a private lift from the garage. From the 155 m² large terrace, you can enjoy a fantastic view of unspoiled nature and Janina Hill.

The food is delicious, the interior has an interesting design, but one of the most interesting things is the piano that plays by itself! It is an automatic (self-playing) piano whose keys move by themselves and create music without the presence of a pianist…

By the way, at this hotel, you can enjoy yoga, floating therapy, and a special sound meditation with Tibetan bowls (singing bowls). I will write more about this amazing experience in the following text.

Inside the Boutique Hotel Atlantida

📜The secrets of the Museum Anin dvor

The Ana’s Palace Museum, or Anin dvor, is located just a few steps from the Boutique Hotel Atlantida.
It is named after St. Anne, the patron saint of Rogaška Slatina.

Rogaška, Atlantida Boutique Hotel (left) and Anin dvor (right)

Nani Poljanec is a passionate collector and the artistic director of a museum. He has been collecting objects related to the history and life of the Rogaška region for years.

Nani Poljanec, Anin dvor, photo Nikola Zoko

Collections at the Anin dvor Museum

Collection of the Karadjordjević dynasty

A special place in the museum is the Royal collection dedicated to the Karadjordjević dynasty.
Actually, it is one of the largest private collections of the Karadjordjević dynasty in the world. It includes photographs, letters, portraits and personal items of members of the royal family. Some of them visited Rogaška Slatina, and Mihajlo Obrenović (Prince of Serbia) did as well.

You can read more about the museum’s collections in one of the following articles on the blog.

Anin dvor, the Collection of the Karadjordjević dynasty, photo Nikola Zoko

💄Aphrodite Cosmetics, scent of chamomile and magnesium

Rogaška Slatina is also the birthplace of the famous Afrodita Cosmetics company.

It was named after Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love, who, according to legend, was born from sea foam on the coast of Cyprus. Everything started in 1970, when Danica Zorin Mijošek opened a small salon and made the first chamomile cream. Today, around 700 different products are produced, from preparations for face and body care to professional cosmetics.

The new Afrodita Magnesium Recovery line contains a mineral magnesium, which is linked to the mineral springs of Rogaška Slatina.

It was a real pleasure to try different creams and serums, and you can buy all the products in their store. And literally, you don’t know what to choose first! Also, at Aphrodite Beauty Centre in Rogaška, you can enjoy exclusive anti-ageing and detox treatments, combined with mineral water and local herbs.

Aphrodite Cosmetics

📜Steklarna Rogaška and crystal glasses…

Another interesting landmark that you can visit is the Steklarna Rogaška, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027.

This is one of the largest glass factories in the world. Hot, glowing elements under the hands of master glassmakers are transformed into elegant vases, glasses and decorative sculptures that adorn the most luxurious homes and official residences around the world, such as special vases made for the queen or glasses intended for popes.

Steklarna Rogaška, photo Nikola Zoko

Within the factory, there is a shop, “The Hall of Fame”, where you can buy various glass products. Rogaški crystal is not just an ordinary object, but a witness to supreme craftsmanship, patience and art that defies time.
Stay tuned for the whole story about the glass factory in one of the following articles.

Steklarna Rogaška

 Stolp Kristal (Crystal Tower)

One of the modern attractions is the Stolp Kristal, or Glass Tower, which is 106 meters high.

It is the tallest tower and the tallest building in Slovenia. The panoramic elevator leads you to the top in 35 seconds.
From the open observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Rogaška Slatina, surrounded by hills and vineyards.
Hm, do you dare to step on the “transparent” glass floor and look directly at the ground?

Stolp Kristal

Take a break and refresh yourself in the cafe while enjoying the view of the surroundings. On the ground floor, you can find souvenirs.
🎟️ Ticket prices: 10 EUR for adults, 30 EUR for family tickets (for 3-5 people).

Panoramic view of Rogaška Slatina from the Stolp Kristal

🍽️ Where to eat in Rogaška Slatina

A trip is not complete without local gastronomy, and Rogaška offers two great stories.

Točilnica pri Lojz (At Tilčka) is a traditional inn, located close to the centre. When you start walking from the spring and spa towards the popular nearby Bellevue, on the well-maintained path, you come across the inn. There you can taste homemade prosciutto, local cheeses, sausages and a glass of Slovenian wine. It is a perfect place to take a break on the hiking route, which connects the healing water springs and the local hospitality tradition.

Kod Tličke

Pomona Estate is a fantastic place where its owner, Janko Zupanec, has created a real fairy tale in miniature.
The farm was named after Pomona, the Roman goddess, guardian of orchards. Here you can see a miniature version of the place: replicas of famous landmarks, including a wooden tower with a view of the Crystal Tower and surroundings, a biopool, a house with 8 rooms decorated in the spirit of tradition, a spa centre, and also a pig farm.

There, I saw aquaponics for the first time. It is a sustainable food production system that combines fish farming (aquaculture) and soil-free plant cultivation (hydroponics) in a closed, symbiotic cycle. Very interesting; I will write more about it soon.

And of course, the delicious local food is prepared exclusively from local ingredients.
Pomona Estate is definitely an ideal place to relax and enjoy nature.

Kmetija Pomona and its owner, Janko Zupanec

Visit Rogaška Slatina

You can visit and enjoy Rogaška Slatina throughout the whole year.

The time spent there taught us to slow down, take a deep breath and focus on ourselves.
Whether you walk through its landscaped park, drink medicinal water from a crystal glass, enjoy food, a relaxing massage or sauna, or engage in various sports activities, you will return home reborn, with the promise that you will definitely come back again.

And as Nani Poljanec said, “The three most important things in Rogaška Slatina are water, water and again water“.

Na zdravje! Cheers!

View of the Pivnica and hotels in Rogaška Slatina