Church of St. Lenart

The church is first mentioned in 1196 and was once surrounded by a defensive wall. It stands on a hill above the market square, at the highest point in Lenart, giving the town its distinctive character. During the period of Turkish raids, the church also served a defensive role. Thanks to its high-quality architecture and stone-carving details, it represents the finest example of “Slovenian Hills Gothic.” It is a unified late Gothic building with Romanesque foundations, dating from between 1516 and 1518. In 1531 a choir gallery was added, and in the middle of the century the bell tower with a defensive gallery and embrasure was built. The bell bears the inscription of the year 1573. Two Baroque chapels on the western side date to the first half of the 18th century, while the sacristy can be dated to the mid-18th century. The rectory is a single-storey building with a gabled roof. The façade is articulated with vertical and horizontal pilaster strips and plastered, stitched edges. Its present appearance dates to 1862, though it most likely originates from the 16th century.

The parish patron of the church is St. Leonard, the protector of livestock and horses. The largest gathering of visitors takes place during the annual Lenart Fair Blessing (Lenarško žegnanje) at the beginning of November.