Židovski trg/Jewish square, Maribor

The smallest square in the old Maribor

The Jewish synagogue in Maribor.

Židovski trg (pronounced "She·doughs·key terg") or Jewish square is the smallest square in Maribor located in the former Jewish ghetto (Židovska četrt). Jews came to Maribor from German lands and were successful bankers, millers and winegrowers. Due to a doctrine issued by the Pope Innocent III in 1215, Jews had to live in so called ghettos (special quarters) to be separated from the Christians. The ghetto in Maribor was located near the southeastern part of the wall, close to the river Drava. The area is almost completely intact today: You can see the Maribor Synagogue and the Jewish tower. Although Pope's doctrine tried to separate Jews and Christians, those rules weren't so strictly implemented in Maribor, a lot of times Jews were living in Christian areas and Christians in the Jewish ghetto. Jews were banned from serving a public office and they had to wear special identifying markings on their clothes. They also had to pay some extra taxes to the duke. On the other hand, they enjoyed a special protection: Killing a Jew was punished severer than killing a Christian. According to sources, in the year 1410 about 25% of the population was Jewish, which was the height of their presence in Maribor. Unfortunately they were expelled from from Maribor by a decree issued by the Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian I in 1497, which marked the end of the Jewish life in Maribor. However, the influence is still felt today.

See some photos of the Jewish square:

The small Jewish square.

Another angle. Photos from November 2010.

The part between the synagogue and the Jewish tower.

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

1 The Jewish tower (Židovski stolp)

2 Maribor synagogue (Mariborska sinagoga)

[My MARIBOR page][My SLOVENIA page][Info: Source][All photos by MKL, 2010]

Maistrov trg/Maister square, Maribor

One of my favorite squares in Maribor

Prva Gimnazija Maribor, Maribor's first secondary school.

Trg Generala Maistra, sometimes also Maistrov Trg (pronounced "My·straw terg") or in English General Maister square is one of the squares in Maribor north o the old medieval center. It's located next to the Maribor castle and serves as the front yard of Maribor's first secondary school named Prva Gimnazija Maribor, which I had the honor to attend. Most of the area is occupied by a park. The square is named after Rudolf Maister, a famous Slovenian commander and general, a poet and political activist. He made sure, that Maribor and the surrounding countryside didn't become part of Austria in 1918. He organized the first Slovenian army and disarmed local German forces, that planned to take over control of Maribor (then Marburg an der Drau) and annex it to the First Austrian Republic. That's why Maister is deemed a hero for the people of Maribor and Slovenia, while for the Austrians, he remains a controversial historic figure. The square used to be named Leninov trg (Lenin square) in the past (1945-1992), but was renamed in honor to Rudolf Maister in 1993. A statue of the general was placed here in 1987. People like to put candles and wreaths in his honor here. Opposite of the statue a linden tree was planted on 26. June 1991, a day after Slovenia declared its independence from Yugoslavia.

See some photos from Maistrov trg:

The statue of General Rudolf Maiser Vojanov.

A plaque commemorating the day of Slovenian independence and the planting of the linden tree.

The northern part of the Maribor castle.

The newly built Maistrov dvor, office and apartment building, completed in 2010.

If you visit Maribor's Maister square, you will see these important buildings and sights:

1 Maribor castle (Mariborski grad)
2 Prva secondary school (Prva Gimnazija)

3 Maister manor (Maistrov dvor)

4 Statue of Maister (Spomenik Maistru)

5 Independence linden tree (Osamosvojitvena lipa)

[My MARIBOR page][My SLOVENIA page][Info: Source][All photos by MKL, 2010]

Vojašniški trg/Barracks square, Maribor

One of the less known historic squares in Maribor

Vojašniški trg (pronounced as "Voh·yash·neesh·key terg") or Barracks square is one of the 6 remaining medieval squares in Maribor, located at the southwestern part of the old town, close to the Round tower and the the former Franciscan monastery. The square is connected with the Vojašniška ulica or Barracks street on the east side and with the Vodnik square on the west side. The name comes from the barracks, that were put here during the reign of Joseph II in the late 18th century. He converted many monasteries into barracks. The square is still in a bad shape, even though the barracks are gone for a while already. However, things are gradually improving. A big part of the square was recently renovated, the area around the former Franciscan monastery called Minoriti. However, there's still a lot to renovate and reconstruct, before the square will look as new.

See some photos of the Barracks square/Vojašniški trg:

The wall on the left will be removed one day, it was build to give the barracks a backyard.

Mostly poor people live in the houses of this square.

Cars parked everywhere make the square unfriendly for pedestrians.

This area around Minoriti (which is today a puppet theater), is freshly renovated.

This is the worst part of the Barracks square, the nearly in ruins Žiče manor.

Once they renovate this part of the square, it will really be one of the most beautiful squares in Maribor, full of rich history and very interesting for foreign and local visitors. Maribor needs to rediscover these beautiful medieval spots, they are our historic treasures.

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

1 Minoriti (Franciscan monastery)

2 Žiče manor (Žički dvor)

[My MARIBOR page][My SLOVENIA page][Info: Source][All photos by MKL, 2010]

Trg revolucije/Revolution square, Maribor

A big square on the right side of the river Drava

Trg Revolucije (pronounced as "Terg Ray·voh·loo·tsee·yeh") or Revolution square is one of the few squares on the "right side of Maribor", usually called Desni breg (Right riverbank of Drava). This square got its current form after 1913, when the Old bridge (Stari most) was completed. It connected the old medieval center of Maribor with the other side called Tabor, that was starting to grow and develop in the late 19th century with the arrival of the railways of the Austrian Südbahn (connecting Vienna with Trieste).

The square in 1930s, before the heavy traffic that we can see today. (Photo: Source)

The most significant building is the former Železnina (store selling tools).

The square has a nice view on Maribor's medieval center.

Unfortunately the square today lost its glory. Most buildings are run down and the central part is just a simple lawn. We could have a statue or a monument here, something significant. And the whole traffic should be redone, this beautiful square is one big confusing roundabout. With that said, I still think it's one of Maribor's most beautiful squares.

[My MARIBOR page][My SLOVENIA page][All photos by MKL, 2010, except the historic]

Vodnikov trg/Vodnik square, Maribor

The square that houses Maribor's day market

Vodnikov trg (pronounced as "Vod·nee·kow terg") or Vodnik square is a big square in Maribor near the river Drava and close to the Round tower and outside the former southwestern part of the defense wall around the medieval core of the city. It's named After Valentin Vodnik (1758-1819), a Slovenian poet. Today the square is used as Maribor's main day market (Mariborska tržnica). The square went through a big change in the recent two years, the new day market was redesigned. A big underground garage was built under the multiple leveled structure that facilitates Maribor's main market. Many people were not happy with the design of the architects Rok Benda, Primož Hočevar and Mitja Zorc, because it doesn't fit well in the area. But not only that. It turned out that the modern (you could say extraterrestrial) design of the umbrellas, that were praised as revolutionary, didn't do the job well. Not only is the whole level wet, when it rains, the first snow destroyed some of them, which cost a lot. The garage is mostly unoccupied, the shops inside the structure are empty and less and less people are going to the market here, they rather go to big shopping malls, because it's more convenient. The day market today (in 2010) is barely making any profit. Basically money was thrown out the window and the bad and unpractical design destroyed the once vibrant area of Maribor's daily life. It's a shame.

See some photos of Vodnik square:

The famous Round or Judgement tower and parts of the medieval defense wall.

The main level of Maribor's day market with the freaky umbrellas. Photo from August 2010.

This is how the open market looked like in November on a busy day.

The Vodnik square from near the river Drava. You can see the entrance to the garage.

This square, that used to be on a small slope is today an ugly multileveled day market, that doesn't attract people and keeps losing money. I don't know what the architects were thinking and what was on mayor's mind, but this is definitely a shame. New things are not always good for an old city such as Maribor. Sometimes all it needs is a good renovation and few additions. But well, now we have to live with this. I still hope some improvements will be made and that the market will attract more people.

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

1 Round tower (Sodni stolp)
2 Minoriti (Franciscan monastery)

[My MARIBOR page][My SLOVENIA page][Info: Source][All photos by MKL, 2010]

Trg svobode/Freedom square, Maribor

A big square in Maribor

Trg svobode (pronounced as "Terg svoh·boh·day") or Freedom square is a big square in Maribor, that dates to the 19th century. It's located outside of the medieval wall around the town, bordering on the Maribor castle with its bastion and and the former Graz gate, that doesn't exist anymore. Today the Freedom square and the Castle square are connected with the Scherbaum manor and the Maribor castle and the small passage through the two buildings. Freedom square today is a very popular part of Maribor, with a small day market, cafés and the famous Vinag wine cellar, one of the biggest wine cellars in the world, that are located inside town. The central part of the Freedom square is reserved to the World War II monument that people in Maribor call "Kojak". it was put there in 1975 and designed by the famous sculptor Slavko Tihec, who was a native of Maribor. The most dominant buildings on the square are the Maribor castle, the Vinag building and the Scherbaum manor, which is currently the City Loan Bank of Maribor (Mestna hranilnica). The square is commonly used for various celebrations and events such as the St. Martin's celebration every November 11th (because of Vinag nearby and because Maribor is a city of wine). In 1883 Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia and Apostolic King of Hungary, was officially received here. Some say this square is Maribor's living room.

See some photos of Trg svobode:

The famous WWII Monument from 1975, commonly known as "Kojak".

The Maribor castle from 1483.

A big wine barrel, showing the way to the famous Vinag wine cellar.

The entrance to the Vinag building.

The Vinag wine cellar is among those, that are located inside a town's center, one of the biggest wine cellars in the world. The origins date back to the mid 19th century, but the cellar was massively expanded in 1945, 1949 and 1953. The wine cellar is 20,000 square meters large with a space to store 5.5 million liters of wine. The corridors together are 3km long. In the archives wine cellar there is space to store 400.000 bottles, but currently they store around 250.000. The oldest wine bottle they store dates back to 1946. If you want to visit the wine cellar, you need to announce your visit in advance and negotiate a date with them (call 02 2208 119 or send an email to vinag@vinag.si)[Info: Vinag] Further read: Delo: Mariborsko podzemlje.

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

1 Maribor castle (Mariborski grad)
2 World War II Memorial (Spomenik NOB)
3 Scherbaumhof (Scherbaumov dvorec)
4 Vinag wine cellar (Vinagova vinska klet)

[My MARIBOR page][My SLOVENIA page][Info: Source][All photos by MKL, 2010]

Grajski trg/Castle square, Maribor

One of the oldest squares in Maribor

Grajski trg (pronounced as "Grais·key terg") or Castle square (formerly Floriansplatz) is an old medieval square in Maribor, named after the Maribor town castle, which is partly located on the square. At the time, when Maribor was still surrounded by a defense wall, the square was located at the northeastern part of town close to the Graz gate (Graška vrata), that stood on the neighboring Freedom square (Trg svobode). The Castle square today is one of the most vibrant parts of Maribor's old center. You have a hotel, shops, restaurants and many cafés, where especially in summer, people of Maribor like to hang out. In the castle is the Regional Museum Maribor, while in the center of the square you can admire the St. Florian column, a monument dedicated to the patron saint of firefighters. It was placed here in the year 1700 after a devastating fire from a year before. It's a popular meeting point today.

Let me show you some photos from 2010:

Hotel Orel and some clothes shops, that opened in recent years.

The Castle square from north to south. The green building at the end is Naskov dvor.

The column of St. Florian from 1700 (photos from August 2010).

Castle square on a November morning. You can see many cafés already opening.

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

1 Maribor castle (Mariborski grad)
2 Column of St. Florian (Sv. Florijan)
3 Scherbaumhof (Scherbaumov dvorec)
4 Nasko manor (Naskov dvorec)

5 Hotel Orel

[My MARIBOR page][My SLOVENIA page][Info source: Sloveniainfo][All photos by MKL, 2010]

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]