SITAR HOUSE: ON THE SPRINGS OF TRADITION

Sitar House is located in the town cetre of Dolenjske Toplice and is a place of significant cultural heritage. Below the house the carst underground water springs to the surface and used to serve as the main water source for the towns inhabitants in the past. 

It was a tradition here to name the town houses after their original owners. The history of Sitar House starts in 1906 when it was in possession of Ivan Janez Sitar. During his lifetime it was made into an inn, where the guests could eat in a restaurant downstairs and book the rooms on second floor. Later on a restaurant garden was planted, where they could enjoy their food and drinks in the shade of chestnut and linden trees.

Later on the inn became only a restaurant run by Anica Sitar, which stayed in business untill the start of World War II. After the war there was a strong need for new schoolrooms for pupils of elementary school in Dolenjske Toplice, so the new owner offered a temporary space for a classroom in one of the empty rooms. From 1950 to 1997 a farmacy was operating on the ground floor.

After the farmacy closed, the house sat empty for a long time. Members of the community tried to revive it through many different projects, including international art and photography exhibitions as well as different workshops. As it is a historically important cultural heritage site the local officials endeavoured to have it restored to its former glory. The construction works started in the year 2020 and lasted for a year. 

The new and restored Sitar House opened in October 2021 and presently houses a Tourist Information Centre as well as a space for various projects, such as lectures, exhibitions, and workshops for local creative talent, societies and businesses. 

Here you can also buy the products of local farmers, craftsmen and artists - local honey, cannabis products, pasta, apple delights, hand made artisan chocolates and spirits, cards and wooden products.