Overview
Located in the Eastern Alps, Maribor is a mountain city boasting a profound winemaking legacy. Evidence of this heritage can be found at the Old Vine House, adorned with an ancient vine that has adorned the facade of this historic establishment since the 1500s, resembling the trunks of venerable trees. This remarkable vine is situated in the Lent neighborhood, which lies adjacent to the Drava River and hosts many of the city’s oldest monuments.
Among the essential attractions are the Gothic cathedral and the castle, which contains a museum capable of captivating visitors for hours. Maribor is surrounded by a ring of wine-growing hills, the tallest of which are located to the south and home to Slovenia’s largest ski resort, where night skiing showcases the city illuminated hundreds of meters below.
Let’s explore the best attractions in Maribor:
1. Old Vine House
In the Lent neighborhood beside the Drava stands the oldest fruit-bearing vine in the world.
This 440-year-old plant climbs along a trellis on the historic building’s facade, protected by iron railings.
The first documentation of this vine dates back to 1657, and it is remarkable to consider the various adversities it has endured, from the two World Wars to the phylloxera crisis in the 19th century.
The vine produces “Blaufränkisch” grapes, generating 25 liters of wine annually, which is presented in small bottles to distinguished visitors.
For instance, Bill Clinton was gifted a bottle during his visit in 1999. Appropriately, the building contains a museum dedicated to Styrian wine, highlighting this famous vine.
2. Glavni Trg
Serving as a gateway to a stroll through Maribor’s history, Glavni Trg is the city’s central square.
Several significant monuments reside here, including the Town Hall, Plague Column, and the former casino.
Moreover, many buildings around the square have intriguing historical anecdotes.
One features apothecary motifs on its facade and once served as the city’s pharmacy.
At the intersection with Poštna Ulica stands Ludwigshof, an elegant Jugendstil house constructed by an industrialist family in 1905. The square’s market tradition has been revitalized with a farmer’s market every Friday morning, offering seasonal produce, bread, and regional specialties such as the pastry gibanica.
3. Water Tower
Standing solitary on the banks of the Drava, this stone tower was once part of Maribor’s city fortifications.
Constructed in the mid-16th century, it was part of a new defensive system designed to repel Turkish invasions.
Once the tower’s military purpose diminished, it was converted for wine storage, becoming Slovenia’s oldest wine cellar in the process.
The tower’s function has remained unchanged for centuries: Visitors can sample a selection of Styrian wines on the upper level or request a recommendation to enjoy beside the river.
4. Piramida
For those looking to expend some energy, there is no more picturesque method than ascending the vine-covered slopes of this hill.
You can reach the summit of Piramida in under 30 minutes from the banks of the Drava River if you walk at a brisk pace.
Up until 1784, the hill served as a base for the Upper Maribor Castle, which was demolished at the end of the 18th century.
An obelisk replaced the castle, and following its destruction by lightning in 1821, a small chapel has been the sole structure on the hilltop.
Visitors can glimpse inside to view a statue of the Virgin and relish the stunning vistas of Maribor and the Pohorje Range.
5. Maribor Cathedral
Construction of Maribor Cathedral began in the 1100s, with the earliest sections showcasing Romanesque architecture.
As the city’s congregation expanded during medieval periods, a Gothic redesign ensued.
A significant portion of the nave and chancel exhibits this Gothic influence, including pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and lancet windows crafted from the local yellow sandstone.
The Baroque tower, constructed in the 17th century, remains accessible until 18:00 during summer months.
A new stained glass window was designed to commemorate the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1999.
6. Plague Column
Located in Glavni Trg, the Plague Column serves as a memorial for the plague outbreak that claimed a third of Maribor’s population in 1680. The initial monument to commemorate this epidemic was erected a year later; however, this remarkable column was completed in 1743. Due to its craftsmanship, the Plague Column is regarded as one of Slovenia’s premier Baroque monuments.
Sculpted by Josef Straub, it features a Corinthian column topped with a golden statue of Mary.
The column is made from marble and rests on a marble base adorned with plaques and reliefs, accompanied by statues of saints.
These sculptures are replicas, as the originals are preserved at the Maribor Regional Archives.
7. Maribor Castle
If you are seeking the castle in Maribor, you might easily overlook it.
This is due to its resemblance more to a palace than a traditional fortress.
In reality, the building had a brief defensive function to fortify the northeastern walls.
However, it primarily served as an opulent residence, undergoing numerous renovations and enhancements over the centuries.
Construction began under Habsburg King Frederick III in the 1400s and continued to evolve until 1843. The design combines Renaissance and Baroque elements, with the most exquisite feature being the arcaded gallery on the upper level.
Visitors can explore the Regional Museum housed within, which sheds light on the area’s rich history.
8. Regional Museum Maribor
Historically, the castle’s interior emanated luxury, observable in the splendid main staircase and ceremonial hall that features breathtaking ceiling frescoes framed by intricate stucco details.
The museum relocated here at the end of the 19th century, articulating the cultural history, archaeology, and ethnology of the region.
It is a treasure trove filled with fascinating artifacts, including a collection of Frankish swords from 1200-1300, Iron Age Celtic weapons, coins from the Roman era, ceremonial banners, 19th-century photography, and paintings dating back to the 1300s.
For an insight into ancient medicinal practices, the pharmacy exhibit showcases pots, scales, mortars, and cabinets dating back to the 1600s.
9. Maribor Synagogue
One of Europe’s oldest synagogues is situated on Židovska Ulica (Jewish Street) in what was once Maribor’s ghetto during medieval times.
Dated to the 1300s, this synagogue is one of only two remaining in the country.
Historically, this now solitary structure was part of a community that included a ritual bath, Talmudic school, rabbi’s residence, and cemetery.
The Jewish community was expelled from Maribor in 1497, following which the synagogue served various roles including a church, military warehouse, and eventually a private residence before reverting to its original function.
This modest yet historically significant building now acts as a cultural center and museum, featuring artifacts from the city’s Jewish community.
10. Mestni Park
The lower section of Maribor’s principal park is integrated into the city, featuring tree-lined avenues, sculptures, lawns, and a venue for summer concerts on weekends.
Additionally, an aquarium hosts more than 120 species of freshwater and saltwater fish, alongside a terrarium occupied by venomous and various reptiles.
The park also extends for several kilometers into the surrounding countryside, where its forests intertwine with vineyards.
At the transition to these natural areas are three large ponds, the lowest of which is complemented by a stately pavilion and boathouse on its southern shore.
11. National Liberation Museum
At the dawn of the 20th century, Maribor encountered some of the most tumultuous decades in its history.
In the early 1900s, eight out of ten households spoke German, placing the town in the sights of the Nazis during the Second World War, who aimed to reclaim it for Germany.
The wartime Germanization efforts are documented at this museum, detailing the Nazi occupation and the activities of the Partisans in the Lower Styrian uplands from 1941-44. This information is conveyed through various graphics and photographs, complemented by artifacts like uniforms, cold-weather gear, and posters.
12. Viticulture
Maribor enjoys over 260 sunny days each year, and its warm summers combined with cool winters create ideal conditions for wine grape cultivation.
This tradition is both ancient and rich, presenting numerous opportunities to learn more about it.
The Vinag Wine Cellar provides an exciting experience, featuring an entrance beneath Liberty Square that leads to 2.5 kilometers of tunnels filled with metallic vats and wooden barrels at one of the oldest cellars in Europe.
Throughout autumn, a festival celebrates the Old Vine, featuring parties, tasting sessions, and a culinary market.
This event commemorates the birthday of Bishop Anton Martin Slomšek, who is recognized as the patron saint of winemakers.
In summer, consider renting a bike to explore the scenic countryside and sample wines at the Ramsak winery, the Meranovo estate, and other local vineyards.
13. Skiing
Immediately south of Maribor lies Slovenia’s largest ski resort, situated within the Maribor Pohorje range, with a peak elevation exceeding 1,300 meters.
Here, skiers can explore 42 kilometers of runs divided across three distinct areas, with more than half of the slopes classified as blue runs, featuring well-groomed pistes and gentle gradients.
This is particularly advantageous for novices.
Additionally, ten kilometers of these slopes are equipped for night skiing, offering a romantic view of Maribor illuminated after dark.
Moreover, elite competitions take place on the upper slopes when the resort hosts the “Golden Fox” FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races for slalom and giant slalom.
14. Lent Festival
The title of this cultural celebration does not pertain to the season, but rather to the riverside neighborhood in Maribor’s old quarter.
The festival commences at the end of June, when large grandstands are assembled facing stages along the riverbank.
This event offers a diversity of entertainment, appealing to a wide range of tastes whether one prefers opera, ballet, jazz, pop, rock, or dance music.
Entertainment for children is also available, as well as numerous fringe events held across various venues in Maribor.
Additionally, attendees will have ample opportunities to immerse themselves in Slovenian culture through folk concerts, theatrical performances, and street food stalls.
In its first decade following its inception in 1993, the Lent Festival hosted iconic artists such as Ray Charles and James Brown, while in 2017, Bob Geldof was a featured guest.
15. Drava Boat Trip
You could conclude a summer visit to Maribor with a leisurely cruise along the Drava River.
The vessel, Dravska Vila, features an observation deck above and a bar below, allowing you to enjoy a refreshing drink as the Lent embankment and its historical landmarks pass by.
You have the option of taking a 45-minute cruise to the Studenici footbridge or venturing further into the countryside to Maribor Island, a wooded natural reserve featuring a leisure complex at its center.
For a more authentic experience, consider navigating the Drava on a timber raft.
Historically, Maribor’s loggers utilized these rafts to transport timber from the Kozjak and Pohorje ranges as far as Belgrade and Osijek.
