Maribor and Pohorje and surroundings

Maribor and Pohorje and surroundings

Maribor is the second most important urban center of Slovenia, also known as the capital of Štajerska. It is a city beneath the green slopes of Pohorje, at the base of mysterious Kozjak, surrounded by rolling hills and the flat Drava plain. Reflected by the surface of the Drava river, the charming old city centre is a silent monument to Maribor's rich history. It can also be admired from a raft on the Drava river. The old quarter, Lent, is decorated by the oldest grapevine in the world, and its famous summer festivals attract visitors from all over the world. During the winter, skiers travel to Maribor for the Zlata lisica (Golden fox) skiing competition.

Mariborsko Pohorje is only a few minutes away from the city center and offers not only skiing, but also wellness. The surrounding hills are criss-crossed by kilometers and kilometers of wine roads that provide visitors with culinary, hiking and cycling pleasures. Maribor is also a rapidly developing congress center.

Štajerska (former Styria) is a region of many facets. Here the Alpine medium mountain range pulls back to the advantage of vineyard hills and river planes. Various nature's facets, a rich cultural heritage and hospitable people guose that want to encounter the past and relax with a tea, the mansion Trebnik with its herbal kitchen is the right place to visit.

On the hills of Slovenske gorice, Haloze and Dravinjske gorice the richness is exhibited in the form of vine, the most precious flower of these soft undulating hills. The centre of wine growing in Slovenske gorice is Ormož, whereas Jeruzalem (cf. Jerusalem) with its holy name, energetic forces, the wine road, beauty spots and its pilgrim church justifiably carries the name "heavenly place". 

On the other side of the Mura River, under the last hillsides of Slovenske gorice, the place Ljutomer – the heart of Prlekija, developed, where the first idea of a unified Slovenia originated. Prlekija is a land of vintage wines, winding terrace-shaped vineyard hills, singing rattles, thermal springs and trotter riders. 

One characteristic of Ptuj is the carnival figure of Kurent, which come to life in Ptuj during the biggest Slovenian Carnival procession. On the Ptuj Field you are kindly invited to visit the thermal spa Ptuj , the mansion Dornava, Velika Nedelja and Hajdina. 

The green Pohorje with its forest reservation, an extensive pea field and 19 lakes is a true skier's paradise in winter, which hosts the women's World Cup slalom competitijice.

On the western side of Pohorje the Mountaineers s tourist centre Kope is establishing itself as a holiday and recreational resort, attracting numerous skiing fans especially in winter time. The town Slovenj Gradec, the administrative, economic and cultural centre of Koroška, is a living account of everything that took place in this part of Slovenia during the two millennia. The rich collections of the Koroška Regional Museum lead us through its history. One should not leave the "land of King Matjaž" without having tasted the beer of King Matjaž. For beer lovers this should be a real treat because of its unique manner of production.

The forest seclusion between the hills Peca and Uršlja gora, as well as the Alpine valleys that extend far into the mighty mountain range of the East Karavanke Mountains, are a true paradise for those that appreciate nature, peace and quietness. There are countless trails leading from one peak to the other, and the Koroška history confirms that this is a historic land, the cradle of the Slovenian nation. And there is the Drava River, which divides and connects at the same time.

The landscape around Črne na Koroškem in the Upper Mežiška Valley is very heterogeneous. For hiking trips the trails to Smrekovško pogorje (1684 m) with Črno jezerce (the Black Lake), to the solitary Olševa (1930 m) with the ancient cave habitations Potočko zijalka are suitable, whereas the rocky Raduha (2062 m) is a paradise for climbers and Uršlja gora (1699 m) for family trips. The highest peak of the Slovenian Koroška is Peca (2126 m). Inside it is the dwelling of the legendary King Matjaž.

The Park of King Matjaž, which is the name of Črna with its surroundings, is convenient for various sport activities due to its natural characteristics and facilities for sports and recreation. In winter the park attracts a lot of attention because of the interesting snowy sculptures. Deep under the ground a completely different story begins – the lead and zinc mining tradition with a hundred years of hard work.

Long years of mining and the development of the mine in Mežica have typically characterised the lives of people as well as the landscape. Visitors can follow the mining tracks in the tourist mine.The picturesque world of minerals also gives a special charm to the underground spheres. On the other hand, the technical heritage in the field of ironwork industry has a special place in Ravne na Koroškem.

Mežica represents the central part of the Mežica valley. For many years, it has been a lead mining center. But it's not just that. Lush forests and mountain ridges give the appearance of an alpine tourist center. The Peca mountain, ski slopes, underground tunnels with mining displays and plenty of delightful restaurants all help visitors have a good time in Mežica.