Slovenia - Day 8: The Old Town of Maribor

We looked at the bus schedule at the Postojna Bus Station the day before, so after a quick breakfast at the Postojna Cave Rooms & Apartments, we immediately headed to the station and off to Ljubljana. We bought another ticket upon arrival and switched to a train going to Maribor. Slovenia is relatively small, so it didn't take that long, but it still was a journey through half the country, as Maribor is closer to the frontier to Austria.

We arrived in the early afternoon and could immediately check into our room for one night at the Best Western Plus Hotel Piramida. While it didn't look that great from outside, our room was modern and also the hotel is just a short walking distance from the train station and to the Old Town. We wasted no time and promptly head on to the Old Town, which is Maribor's primary attraction, at least in the summer. In the winter, Maribor is a popular ski resort.

It was just a short walk to the huge Franciscan Church of St. Mary, which was open to visitors.  

Just a few steps further, we came to Maribor Castle, which houses the Regional Museum of Maribor. It is somewhat huge and feels like several museums. Because we were the only guests, I think, we were partly guided and given some extra information. They have numerous collection, like an archaeological, an arms and armor and a tin soldier collection. 

The highlight, aside from the setting inside the castle, was the collection of sacral art, with fascinating statues from Josef Straub, a German-born Baroque sculptor. 

Another highlight for me was the magnificent Rococo Staircase.

When we were finished with the museum, we walked past the Column of St. Florian, which shall protect the city from fire to the huge Maribor Cathedral.  

We continued through the square Rotovski Trg and past the Plague Pillar from 1743 and went down some steps to walk along the river towards the Judgement Tower and came past the world´s oldest vine.

Before we walked back to the hotel, we went to the Europapark Shopping Center at the other side of the river for grocery shopping and also dinner. The next day we would already continue our journey to relax in the old spa town Rogaska Slatina.