On Saturday, August 10, the
Association of Citizens Margareta from Margečan is organizing the program "
Evening under the Stars". On this occasion, all interested parties will embark on an evening ascent in procession towards the remains of the
mysterious fortress Gradišče on the hill Cukovec near Margečan. The departure is at
7:00 PM from the meadow near the Hunting Lodge "Forest Hare", and the ascent, which takes about 20 minutes, is not physically demanding.
The procession will be led by the "
red friar". According to the legend passed down from generation to generation in Margečan, in the fortress Gradišče lived in the Middle Ages the red friars, as they were called by the people. Who and when built the fortress Gradišče is not certain to this day, but it is likely that it was the
Knights of Ivanovci also known as the
military and hospital order of St. John of Jerusalem. The order consisted of monks, monk-hospitallers, and warrior monks. The Ivanovci already had large estates in this area in the 12th century, with their center being in Pusta Bela, another nearby fortress.
You can find out more about the fortress Gradišče
here, and about Pusta Bela
here.
After the ascent, there will be a gathering "
with the red friars". The Margareta Association highlights that this year they have prepared a
medieval meal with several dishes. They will show you the connection to medieval gardening and the
owner of the Bijela murva estate will explain how to get healthy food
inspired by medieval gardens where everything was grown using what was available on the estate. You will be able to taste
medicinal wine made from lemon balm, violet liqueur, and various homemade spreads on homemade bread.
After the gathering, at 9:00 PM, there will be a
night descent into the valley under lantern lights. Margareta advises you to look for and
bring old oil lamps from home. In case you don't have one, lanterns will be provided that you can rent or take as a souvenir with a symbolic donation.
The gathering continues at the meadow near the hunting lodge with outdoor cinema. At 9:15 PM, there will be an
outdoor cinema screening of the movie "
Wish Upon a Star", a science fiction comedy starring
Robin Williams from 2015. The film is also his final role.After the movie ends around 10:45 PM, the gathering continues with
watching shooting stars or fireflies in the sky. The
Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak activity every year around August 10th, on the date of the death of the Christian martyr
St. Lawrence who died in the year 258. When Earth passes through the Perseid shower, dust and tiny particles burn up in the atmosphere. The night sky is then illuminated by meteors, and according to legend, these are
St. Lawrence's tears falling from the sky on the day of his death. Perseids are traces of dust and tiny particles left behind by the
Swift-Tuttle comet, which was discovered in 1862.
The Margareta Association announces that admission is free and advises you to bring a blanket.
Program:
19:00 - Evening ascent to Gradišče to Črlen's friar
21:00 - Descent into the valley with lanterns
21:15 - Cinema in the clearing, movie "Everything You Wish For"
22:45 - Watching shooting stars