Perfect view over Maribor

Maribor city council
see all photos »

Next morning i finally took of to Maribor by train planning to stay over there during the day and continue to Graz in the evening. I had a map of Maribor in my hands and that was enough to see Maribor in a day. Just across the train station stands a monument dedicated to the communistic period in old Yugoslavia with a whole street named after Partizans, the army that made Tito a hero. That street took me to the city centre. Approaching the centre, I was approaching a Franciscian church I spotted yet at the station. Passing it by, I am arriving on the main square. That week in Slovenia was dedicated to literature so just like in Ljubljana, Maribor also had a book fair at the square along with different art and music performances. I found my way to the stadium of Maribor FC, to see where did my hometown club Hajduk play a year before (we lost 2-0, but in the 2nd leg it we kicked some ass with 5-0). From there I could easily reach the city park. It is huge and well arranged with many paths all over the place. Suddenly I bumped into a sign with a description how to reach a so called Pyramid monument on a hill over Maribor. The path up to the pyramid is surrounded by vines to the south and forest to the north. The monument is approached from the back, so as you are getting closer to the top, the city is opening in front of you, actually under you. The history of the monument is old, dating back to the period of 12th - 18th century when a castle was situated on that hill. Apparently in the 18th century it was demolished and a stone pyramid was built as a reminder. After a lightning destroyed it in 1821. a chapel was constructed on that spot. So today there stands a small chapel dedicated to Virgin Mary. Beside that, this place offers a beautiful view over Maribor, from left where Drava leaves the city to Pohorje mountains, the popular and famous ski centre in Yugoslavia, on the right. Having no rain that day suprised me in the morning, but I shouldnt. It started raining again. After a short rain spent under a gazebo in the city park. Afterwards, after a short "lunch-break" at the centre I went down to the Drava river bank. The most significant things in the surrounding were a red steel bridge over the river and an old water tower next to the river. Green banks on the both sides, overgrown with bushes and cut grass. I spent some time just sitting there, on the bank before I had to go back to the station to catch a train to Graz.

As you are getting closer to the top, the city is opening in front of you, actually under you.