Gregorjevo 2025 in Slovenia

Celebrated on March 12, Gregorjevo marks the first day of spring according to the old calendar and is Slovenia's version of St. Valentine's Day, a day dedicated to love. Known as Slovenian Lovers' Day, it is filled with traditions and romantic symbolism.

Celebration Highlights

Gregorjevo carries the charming belief that it is the day "when birds get married," with birds symbolizing love. An old legend says that the first bird a girl sees on St. Gregory's Day will predict her future husband. This enchanting idea adds to the festive spirit, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation.

More About St. Gregory

The day takes its name from St. Gregory the Great, a Pope, church teacher, and renowned spiritual leader. Serving as Pope from September 3, 590, until his death on March 12, 604, St. Gregory was known for his writing, and his Gregorian chant remains one of his most cherished contributions to the church.

Main Tradition

A long-standing tradition in places with rich craft and trade history holds that St. Gregory "tosses the lamp into the water" as daylight stretches longer and artificial light is no longer needed in workshops. This belief gave rise to the custom of creating miniature boats and houses, called "gregorčki," and sending them downstream. This tradition, which takes place on the eve of St. Gregory's Day, showcases beautifully crafted tiny vessels, often made by preschoolers and schoolchildren. These miniature rafts are adorned with candles, and just before dusk, children set them afloat in rivers and streams, watching the current carry them away. The sight of these glowing rafts drifting in the water is a breathtaking spectacle, and it's heartwarming to see the children running along the streams, cheering for their gregorčki to float the farthest.

Places to Witness

For an authentic experience of this enchanting festival of light, visit towns like Tržič, Kropa, and Kamna Gorica, where the tradition is deeply rooted in the local culture. In Ljubljana, similar "gregorčki" boats are set afloat along the Gradaščica Stream, a tributary of the Ljubljanica River. The glow of these tiny vessels creates a romantic and magical atmosphere that is not to be missed.

In Kranj, the tradition continues with lights being sent down the Kokra River, casting a beautiful glow across the canyon beneath the city. On the eve of St. Gregory's Day, locals gather along the riverbanks to send their tiny boats with candles afloat, bidding farewell to the short days of winter and welcoming the longer days of spring, which bring warmth and light.