SPECIAL VENUES 100+ participants
An event organiser, or more specifically his or her client, wants participants to remember the experience as much as possible for all the right reasons. So isn’t this first step in achieving this by using a venue that is special in itself, an experience that we cannot have every day?
What are these venues for truly special events? Firstly, they can be any location that has the potential for hosting larger groups of people and also that for implementing technical programme, in most cases also organising catering for participants. Limits on the numbers of participants that can be accommodated are usually determined by the latter.
The venue for special events also has to have outstanding cultural, historical, technical and architectural value, and to help you select the right one we analysed special venues in the region and divided them into smaller ones – with capacity for up to 100 people – and larger ones, which can accommodate more than 100 participants. A pre-condition for being listed as a special venue are adequate indoor space and basic convention infrastructure with cloakrooms, toilets and technical equipment.
1. POSTOJNA CAVES, Postojna, Slovenia
The world renowned Postojna Cave is a natural phenomenon and one of the most unusual locations for organising events. The experiential value of the cave itself is complemented by the quality congress infrastructure of Mansion Jamski dvorec. This makes Postojna Cave one of the most unique and special congress venues in the world.
Rank: TRANQUIL
2. REVELIN AND LOVRIJENAC FORTRESS, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik’s old town centre still has its historic wall, one of the few originally walled cities in the world. For a real experience of historic Dubrovnik there is the possibility to organise an event at the Revelin fortress, guarding the town on the eastern side, or Lovrijenac fortress to its west. The large space behind the wall and the outdoor terraces caters for events and offers a magnificent view over the town.
Rank: IRRESISTIBLE
3. THE WHITE PALACE AND THE ROYAL PALACE, Belgrade, Serbia
The Palace complex on Dedinje, surrounded by English and French parks and home to Serbian Crown Prince Alexander II and his family, is one of the most exclusive special venues in the region. Another feature is that you will make arrangements for the event directly with the Prince’s family, who live in the Palace.
Rank: SUPREME
4. LJUBLJANA CASTLE, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana Castle is the symbol and most recognisable feature of Ljubljana. The 11th century castle is an important event venue and most of the events take place in its Stanovska Hall, however smaller halls are also available. For protocol receptions the castle is one of the most attractive points set in a picturesque environment.
Rank: STRONG
5. MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, Zagreb, Croatia
Located on one of the main roads between the new and the old part of Zagreb, the largest Croatian cultural investment since independence was finished in 2009. Designed by architect Igor Franić, the building respects the tradition of functional architecture and includes exhibition space that extends over three floors, allowing for the realisation of complex events.
Rank: FLUID
6. ARSENAL, Zadar, Croatia
Zadar’s old military warehouse was built by Venetians in 16th century and has had a successful revitalisation into a centre for public, cultural, leisure and congress functions. Over 1,800 m2 of space offers a high degree of functionality and flexibility. The warehouse has a very urban feel.
Rank: GROOVY
7. CROATIAN STATE ARCHIVE, Zagreb, Croatia
The archive is one of the most beautiful secession buildings in the region that offers space for up to 900 participants in its main hall. With its setting in the middle of a park and rich interiors full of precious paintings and furniture, it represents one of the most interesting venues for events.
Rank: ACADEMIC
8. BRDO ESTATE, Brdo, Slovenia
Brdo is known as an excellent host and contractor of business and congress events: conferences, seminars, and both governmental and diplomatic protocol meetings. Halls can accommodate from 10 to 550 participants, and out of doors the ancillary facilities and parks have been walked by kings, presidents, ministers and other nobility and dignitaries for some 500 years.
Rank: EXTRA
9. TARTINI THEATRE, Piran, Slovenia
The theatre in Piran is set on a picturesque location and is over 100 years old. It is a fantastic example of secession architecture through the way it is painted and fitted out. Following its most recent renovation in 2000 the hall is once again shining in its former glory. Together with the nearby coffee shop this is one of the most interesting venues on the Slovenian coast.
Rank: ADORABLE
10. OLD TOBACCO COMPANY ROVINJ, Rovinj, Croatia
The Croatian town of Rovinj is one of the the country’s most beautiful. At the site of the old tobacco factory, which was once the largest tobacco factory in SE Europe, a number of various events and festivals have taken place, the most resounding of these being the Weekend Media Festival that since 2009 has been taking full advantage of the large factory complex. This represents an excellent case of regeneration of an old industrial legacy to the benefit of congress tourism.
Rank: FLASH
