Slomškov trg/Slomšek square, Maribor

One of the historically most important squares in Maribor

Slomškov trg (pronounced as "Slome·shkou terg") or Slomšek square is one of the biggest and oldest squares in Maribor. It's named after Anton Martin Slomšek, a Slovenian bishop from the 19th century, who brought the seat of the diocese to Maribor. He's seen as one of the most important Slovenians in the 19th century, before Slovenians had their own state. The oldest name for the square was Kirchplatz (German for "Church square"), which was named after Maribor's main and oldest church, today Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, which is located at the center of the square. In 1859, when Maribor became the seat of the diocese, the square was renamed to Domplatz (German for "Cathedral square") or Stolni trg in Slovenian. From 1919, when Maribor became part of Slovenia (within Kingdom Yugoslavia), the square was renamed to Slomškov trg (the name it still holds today). Between 1941-1945 during the German occupation of Slovenia, the square was again called Domplatz again.

Besides the majestic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, you'll find many other important buildings on the square. One is the seat of the Post of Slovenia, the seat of the University of Maribor and the Slovenian National Theater Maribor. There's also a park with a fountain on the square, a light column from the 16th century and a statue of Slomšek. The square as it is today, dates back to 1891, when some buildings were removed. There used to be an old rectory here (as seen on the photo, Source: PAM, Fototeka, inv. 2491)

This building had its own yard, but today there's a small park with a fountain. There was another building close to the cathedral where the statue of Slomšek stands today (Info source: Sašo Radovanović, Mariborske ulice, Kapital, Maribor, 2005). When these were removed, the square became bigger and opener. In the next years the square is about to be redesigned again and to be reserved for pedestrians only. Currently there is a large parking area all around the cathedral.

See some of my photos of the Slomšek square:

The northern part of the square. These buildings belong to the diocese of Maribor.

The Stolnica, Maribor's cathedral.

Cars parked everywhere here. That's one of the things that needs to be changed here.

The University of Maribor building. The one in Ljubljana can be seen here.

The Post building. It's the central post office in Slovenia.

Statue of Anton Martin Slomšek, a Slovenian bishop, poet, author from 19th century.

The Slovenian National Theater building from the 19th century (the facade).

If you visit Maribor's Slomšek square, you will see these historically important buildings:

1 Maribor Cathedral (Stolnica)
2 University of Maribor (Rektorat Univerze Maribor)
3 Slovenian National Theater (Narodno gledališče Maribor)
4 Post of Slovenia building (Pošta Slovenije)

[My MARIBOR page][My SLOVENIA page][Info source: Sašo Radovanović, Mariborske ulice, Kapital, Maribor, 2005]

[All photos by MKL, 2010, except the historic: Source: PAM, Fototeka, inv. 2491]