Žalec (pronounced [ˈʒaːləts] ⓘ; German: Sachsenfeld[2]) is a town in central Slovenia.

The primary economic activity of the region is growing hops, which is reflected by the city's coat-of-arms.

[3] Žalec was attested in written sources as Saxenburc and Sachsenwelde in 1182 (and as Saschenvelde in 1232 and Sachsenfelde in 1256).

The parish church in the settlement is dedicated to Saint Nicholas and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Celje.

The 16th-century building had a walled enclosure to protect the locals against Ottoman raids.