In addition to Ptuj, Kranj (Carnium/Creina/
Chreinburg) is the most important early urban
settlement in the area of present day Slovenia,
that had evolved in the course of several centuries
into a true medieval town. The vast Germanic
and indigenous burial site dating from the 6th
century and a church with a large Slavic burial
ground from the period between the 9th and the
11th centuries both indicate the importance of
the central settlement. In the 9th century this
presumed center of the Carniolan Slavs also
served as a base for the ruling Franks. Notitiae
traditionum of Bishop Altwin of Brixen from
the second half of the 11th century are a good
evidence of the significance of Kranj, which
at that time was probably also the seat of the
margrave of Carniola. During the 12th century,
the old settlement transformed socially and
urbanistically into a contemporary medieval
town also in legal terms (1221 first mention
of burgenses, 1256 civitas).