Gastuž

Gastuž is the old inn at the entrance to Žiče Charterhouse, Žička kartuzija, in a wooded valley near Slovenske Konjice in Štajerska, in northeastern Slovenia. It is reputed to be the oldest inn in the country, and it is tied to the history of the monastery beside it. The Carthusians, who lived in silence and seclusion, did not admit visitors to their cells and cloisters, so travellers, pilgrims, merchants and people with business at the monastery needed somewhere to stay and eat outside the gate. The guesthouse at the entrance, which is what the name suggests, with Gastuž derived from the German word for an inn, served that purpose for centuries, and the building today is a rare surviving example of a medieval monastery guesthouse.

The building shows its age. The ground floor, with thick walls and vaulted rooms, is believed to be from the late Middle Ages, and the upper floor was added later, in the Baroque period. The monastery was closed in the eighteenth century, but the inn continued to serve travellers, farmers and passers-by, and it kept its role as the hospitality centre of the valley. Inside, the rooms still have the atmosphere of a country inn, with low ceilings, stone and timber, and a strong sense of continuity.

Today it works as a restaurant and tavern, with a daily menu of home-cooked food and drinks that draw on local produce and on the history of the place. The cooking is rooted in the hearty farm tradition of Štajerska, with soups, meats, dumplings, bread, dairy and seasonal vegetables, and some dishes are inspired by recipes linked to monastic kitchens. Wines from the surrounding Konjice wine hills, which have a long tradition connected with the monastery's vineyards, accompany the meals, and herbal drinks and other house specialities may be offered. It is wise to check what is available on the day, since small inns work with seasonal menus and may have limited days.

A visit to Gastuž fits naturally with the monastery itself. The ruins, the church and the herb garden are a short walk away, and the surrounding valley offers walks in quiet woodland. Slovenske Konjice, with its old town and the Konjice wine road, lies a short drive away. The inn is also a place to rest after exploring the ruins.

The inn suits history lovers, families, walkers and anyone who likes the atmosphere of an old tavern. Booking ahead is sensible for groups and for weekends.