Osmica is a traditional food and wine experience found mainly in the Karst region along
the Slovenian and Italian border as well as the Slovenian coast. The word Osmica means
"eight" in Slovenian. When traveling along our coast and Karst region, support locals.
The Osmica tradition dates back to 1784 when Emperor Joseph II of the Habsburg
Monarchy issued a decree allowing farmers to sell their wine and homemade products
without taxes for eight days a year. The purpose was to:
✔ Support local farmers by letting them sell directly to consumers.
✔ Encourage regional wine and food production in areas like the Karst region and the
Slovenian coast.
✔ Prevent wine fraud by ensuring that local wines were sold authentically by the producers.
Key Features of Osmica
Homemade Wine – Farmers serve their wines, often Teran (a robust red wine) or
Malvazija (a fresh white wine).
Traditional Dishes – Cold cuts like pršut (prosciutto), pancetta, homemade
sausages, fresh bread and cheeses.
Farm-to-Table Experience – Most ingredients are sourced directly from the farm.
Rural Setting – Held in stone farmhouses or wine cellars, offering a rustic and
charming ambiance.
The Osmica tradition has undergone significant changes over the past 240 years while still
maintaining its essence of local food, homemade wine, and rural hospitality. More about
this tradition we can reveal to you on a Short and Crisp Ljubljana City Tour. When with us
on a Full day your way customized tour, we can book a stop at Osmica as well.
Book here
Since Osmica events happen only a few times a year and each farm has different schedules,
events aren’t widely advertised online. Facebook groups like "Osmica Slovenija" or
"Slovenska Istra dogodki" often post about upcoming Osmica events.
The traditional sign for an osmica is a bunch of ivy (bršljan) or laurel branches tied together
and hung near the entrance of the farm or along the road leading to it. Sometimes, a wooden
arrow-shaped sign with “Osmica” or a similar marking is used to guide visitors. The ivy or
laurel bunch was historically a simple and recognizable symbol that signaled to passersby that
the farm was open for wine sales under the special tax-free rule. Today, many osmice still use
this traditional sign, often combined with modern banners or boards indicating the dates of
operation.
What is actually the evolution of this local tradition?
From Imperial Decree to Modern Tradition
Some sources suggest, that the roots of the OSMICA tradition goes back to the time of
Charlemagne (Charles the Great, 8th–9th century). He is known to have issued regulations
allowing farmers and winemakers to sell their surplus products directly to consumers without
intermediaries. This idea aligns with his broader economic and administrative reforms, which
aimed to support local economies and reduce the influence of middlemen. In particular,
Charlemagne’s Capitulare de villis, a decree outlining agricultural policies in his empire,
encouraged wine production and direct sales.
There is no clear evidence that Empress Maria Theresa (1740–1780), more know as Marie
Antoniette’s Mother, specifically introduced or regulated osmica in the same way that Joseph
II did. However, as part of her broader economic and agricultural reforms, she implemented
various policies that supported wine production and trade in the Habsburg Monarchy. Maria
Theresa’s reign focused on taxation, land reforms, and market regulation, which likely
influenced how wine producers operated. She introduced a more organized cadastral system
(land registry) and reformed taxation, which may have indirectly affected the way farmers and
winemakers sold their products.
However, the specific decree allowing farmers to sell their wine tax-free for eight days is
attributed to Joseph II, Maria Theresa’s son and successor, as part of his liberal economic
policies in the late 18th century. Maria Theresa laid the groundwork for many agricultural and
trade reforms, but the osmica tradition as a legal institution is more directly linked to Joseph
II. Emperor Joseph II’s decree provided a structured legal framework for this practice, which
led to its lasting presence in Slovenian and Austrian wine culture.
1️⃣ Habsburg Beginnings (1784 - 19th Century)
Emperor Joseph II’s Decree (1784) – Farmers in the Austro-Hungarian Empire
(which included today's Slovenia, Austria, and parts of Italy) were granted the right
to sell their own wine and homemade products tax-free for 8 days per year.
Only for Wine Producers – Originally, only winemakers were allowed to host
Osmica, ensuring authenticity and quality.
Recognizable Sign: A Pine Branch – To signal an active Osmica, farmers hung a
pine branch (smrekova veja) over their door, a tradition still seen today.
2️⃣ Late 19th - Early 20th Century: Cultural Expansion
Social Gatherings & Community Events – As Osmica became more popular, it
expanded beyond just wine sales and became a place for food, music, and cultural
traditions.
Under Italian Rule (1918-1945) – After WWI, parts of Slovenia (e.g., Karst, Istria,
and the Slovenian Coast) were under Italian rule, where some restrictions were
imposed, but the tradition persisted underground.
3️⃣ Socialist Yugoslavia (1945-1991): Decline & Restrictions
State-Controlled Economy – Under Yugoslavia, private business and direct selling
were limited, which weakened the Osmica tradition.
Winemakers Shifted to Cooperatives – Farmers were encouraged to sell their wine
through state-controlled cooperatives, rather than directly to consumers.
4️⃣ Post-Independence Revival (1991 - Present)
Slovenia Gains Independence (1991) – After Slovenia became independent, Osmica
was revived as a cultural and gastronomic tradition.
More Than Just Wine – Today, many Osmica events offer local delicacies
(prosciutto, cheese, olive oil, etc.), making them more like seasonal farm-to-table
festivals.
Extended Beyond 8 Days – While the original rule was only 8 days per year, many
places now host multiple Osmica events annually.
5️⃣ Modern Osmica: A Cultural & Tourist Experience
Tourism Boost – Osmica has become a major attraction for both locals and tourists,
particularly in the Karst region and Slovenian Istria.
Online Promotion – Unlike in the past, Osmica events are now advertised on
platforms like Osmice.si and through local tourist offices.
Wider Food Selection – While wine is still the focus, today’s Osmica events also
feature:
Istrian olive oil & seafood specialties on the Slovenian coast
Karst pršut (prosciutto) & cheeses in the Karst region
Homemade bread, pickled vegetables, and herbal liqueurs
Osmica Today: What Has Changed?
What’s New?
✔ More organized and tourist-friendly
✔ Expanded food menus beyond just wine
✔ Promoted via websites, social media, and tourism offices
What Has Stayed the Same?
✔ Authentic local wine
✔ eld in family-run farms & wine cellars
✔ The pine branch (smrekova veja) is still used as a symbol
Osmica has survived wars, political changes, and economic shifts but remains one of
Slovenia’s most cherished food and wine traditions. Today, it blends history, culture, and
local gastronomy, making it a must-visit experience for anyone exploring Slovenia (and
not only in the Slovenian part but also in the Italian part, where the Slovenian minority lives-
called OSMIZA.
When with us on a Full day your way customized tour, we can book a stop at Osmica as well.