Maribor is the second most important and largest city in the country. It is the transport, industrial and wine center of Slovenia. In 2012, the city was named the Cultural Capital of Europe, and in 2013 - the Youth Capital of Europe. If photos of Slovenian Maribor have long attracted your attention, then it's time to go on a virtual tour of this European city.
Maribor is the second largest city in Slovenia, located in the northeast of the country at the foot of Mount Pohorje and surrounded by the Drava River. The population is 112,000 people.
The city was founded in the 12th century, and was called the Duchy of Styria, which was first part of the Roman Empire and then Yugoslavia. According to written sources, since the 13th century the city has developed very intensively, and was one of the centers of trade and crafts. Throughout its long history, it has withstood sieges by Turks and other enemies.
Today, the Slovenian city of Maribor is one of the most beautiful and largest cities in the country, which is visited by several thousand tourists annually.
Geography and weather
The average temperature in Maribor in summer ranges from 22 to 24 ° C. heat, which is rare, is easily tolerated. As for winter, the average temperature is 1-2 ° C. severe frosts are also rare. The rainiest month is May, and the sunniest is August. You need to choose the month for the trip based on your interests: if your goal is ski resorts, it is better to go to Slovenia from December to February. And for a sightseeing tour will suit any time of year.
Entertainment in Maribor
Winter sports in Slovenia are very popular, so there are many ski resorts. The closest to Maribor is Maribske Pohorje, located a 10-minute drive from the city center. The slopes of this resort are suitable for both beginners and professionals. This place is especially good for children - there are wide roads, and teach a child to ski or snowboard will not be difficult. By the way, this resort annually hosts the stage of the world women's championship "Golden Fox" (Zlata lisica), and therefore we do not have to talk about equipping the tracks.
In addition to skiing, Maribor can offer you a holiday at the thermal springs. One of the best thermal complexes in Slovenia is located in the city. The water temperature here is 44 ° C, and it is delivered from a depth of 1200-1500 meters. The Maribor thermal complex has everything for complete relaxation: swimming pools, saunas, Turkish baths, solarium, as well as various medical equipment. Those who want to regain their youth or recover should pay attention to this complex - the center employs specialists who will select the procedures you need and make a full-fledged complex.
How to get there
You can get to Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia, from most major cities: Budapest, Ljubljana, Sarajevo, Zagreb, Vienna. However, let's take a closer look at travel options from the Slovenian capital to Maribor.
Maribor has a small airport named after Edward Rusyan, and it receives several daily flights from nearby major cities. However, keep in mind that in some months planes from Ljubljana do not fly here (due to lack of demand). For a ticket from Ljubljana to Maribor you will have to pay 35-40 euros, and travel time - 2 hours 20 minutes. As you can see, getting from Maribor to Ljubljana is much cheaper by train or bus.
Attractions
Mount Pyramid is not only a mountain that rises above Maribor, but also a popular observation deck. This is really a very beautiful place: from the hill the city can be seen in the palm of your hand. Churches and colorful houses from a height look even more picturesque, and thanks to the large number of city parks, Maribor looks like an evergreen city. There is also an amazing view of the Drava River from above.
Tourists note that the ascent to one of the main attractions of Maribor will take about 20 minutes, and you will admire the beautiful view of the city for much longer. It is not difficult to find and climb the Pyramid - there is a white church on the top, and green vineyards grow on the slopes of the mountain. It is impossible to get lost!
Old Winery is one of the oldest in Europe and the nearby vine is the oldest in the world. Today, the building of the old winery has been converted into a museum: there are interesting exhibits, and Slovenian guides will be happy to tell you about the difficult fate of the winery. The museum also has a special hall where guests can taste a number of drinks. The employees of the restaurant do not bring the same wines to everyone, but are interested in your taste preferences, and only then choose a drink just for you.
This place is of interest not only to tourists but also to collectors - Slovenian wines are considered one of the best in the world, and some drinks cost more than a million euros. However, there are more budget options, which, incidentally, can be purchased in a special section of wineries.
City Square is the tourist center of Maribor. It is here that most of the city's monuments are gathered: Maribor Castle (Maribor Museum of Local Lore), City Hall, Plague Column (in memory of the plague epidemic that killed almost a third of the city's population), the ancient cathedral. There are also a number of monuments: a statue of St. Florian (patron saint of the city) and a monument symbolizing the independence of Maribor.
City Square is a great place for leisurely walks in summer and cozy gatherings in cafes in winter. In the warm season it is good to sit on benches near the flower beds and admire the city fountain, visit the local market. And in winter it is better to go to one of the old cafes and feel like a local.
Three Ponds is the largest and, at the same time, the oldest park in Maribor. We can safely say that this is not even a park, but rather a small town with playgrounds, a terrarium, an aquarium (in the collection - about 120 species of fish) and three ponds. Due to the fact that local authorities take care of park plants, it is always clean and cozy, many pink flower beds bloom and in the summer there are fountains.
The 57-meter Maribor Bell Tower is located in the heart of the city and is part of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The temple was built in the 12th century, and the church tower was added a little later. At first it was an ordinary bell tower, but later it was turned into a small room, where city firefighters were on duty and, thanks to such a convenient location, could quickly extinguish the fire. By the way, this place can be seen today, climbing to the top of the tower. Here is a museum and there are a lot of interesting photos and ancient exhibits. An interesting bell tower will be for lovers of nature and architecture: from here there is an amazing view of the city and its surroundings.
Maribor Regional Museum is a museum which presents the historical and archaeological values of Slovenia (in most of the Podravska region), as well as a number of paintings by famous painters. This place is best suited for those who are interested in studying history and want to see "inside" the life of the ancient Maribor.
Due to the fact that there are relatively few hotels in Maribor, most of them are located either in the city center or in the suburbs. By the way, if you are going to travel in the winter, it is better to choose the second option and stay in the suburbs of Maribor, because such hotels offer skiing and mountain holidays. And if your goal is excursions, it is wise to choose an inexpensive guest house or hostel in the center.