The university city of Maribor, the metropolis of Slovenian Styria – Slovenska Štajerska (a traditional region in north-eastern Slovenia), is the second most important city in the country. It stretches beneath the green Pohorje mountain range along both banks of the river Drava. The colourful city boasts rich architecture, winegrowing tradition, diverse cuisine and hospitable people.
Maribor is:
- The second largest city in Slovenia
- City of the oldest grapevine in the world (according to Guinness World Records grapevine in the city centre is over 450 years old)
- The venue of the Alpine Ski World Cup for women - Golden Fox
- Home to world-renowned athletes and culture professionals
- The city of the world-known Lent festival
- One of the first cities with a Vienna (Austria)-Trieste (Italy) railway connection
- Cultural city; it was named the European Capital of Culture in 2012
Maribor History:
- The area has been settled in the late Iron Age
- Its original name was Marchpurg which means the Castle in March
- The city was first mentioned during the 12th century
- It became an official city in 1254
