Velenje is the sixth-largest city in Slovenia and serves as the seat of the Municipality of Velenje. Located in the traditional region of Styria, the city is situated within the rolling green hills of the Šalek Valley, positioned between the Kamnik–Savinja Alps to the west and the Pohorje Mountains to the east.
The city was officially opened on September 20, 1959, following a unified construction plan. Historically, Velenje was owned by the Habsburgs for several centuries, a period of ownership that left behind an exceptionally rich legacy of manors and castles.
Velenje is primarily characterized by its mining industry, specifically the Velenje Coal Mine. Opened in 1875, the mine still operates today using the longwall mining method and has produced over 260 million tons of coal. The old section of the mine currently houses the Slovenian Coal Mining Museum.