JEWISH GHETT
In 13th century this area was settled by Jews, who were engaged in trading and banking. Because they were very successful, the local residents eliminated them in the end of 15th century with the Emperor command. However, the Jews left their mark.
SINAGOGUE or Jewish chape
It was built in 14th century and was serving as a religious, spiritual and cultural center of the Jewish ghetto. Immediately after the expulsion of the Jews, the synagogue was passed into a private ownership of Drucher spouses, who converted it into a Roman Catholic church of All Saints. It changed its owners again at the end of 18th century and thus again was rebuilt. They removed the bell and it was used as a military depot until the19th century.
From the eighties of the 20th century it served as a centre for cultural activities like art exhibitions which is part of the Regional Museum of Maribor. Since 2011 there has been a Center of Jewish Cultural Heritage that organizes cultural events on the theme of their culture (such as concerts, literary evenings, exhibitions and the like).
JEWISH TOWER
Built in the second half of 15th century as a corner tower of the city walls, it was a lookout point for the guards protecting the city of Maribor. Today you can come here and look at photographic exhibitions showing works by local and foreign authors – namely the photo club Fotoklub Maribor has rooms in the building.
WATER TOWE
It is located under the Jewish tower, alongside the Drava River.
Its present form was given in 1555. Its primary purpose was also a fortress that protected the city from the direction of Drava. For that purpose its massive stone walls are full of firing portholes. Since the construction of a dam on River Drava, the tower and adjacent houses were in danger of floods; the tower has new foundations today which are 142 cm higher from the original ones. Today there is a winery filled with many of Slovenian’s finest wines.
The walking path will take you under the bridge and pass our hotel, when your look gets stolen by.
OLD VINE AND OLD VINE HOUS
The greatest pride of Maribor city is the Old vine Modra kavčina (Blue Franconian). It is the oldest vine in the world that still produces grapes. It is over 400 years old and can be found in the famous Guinness Book of records. The wine of the old vine is bottled in 0.25 liter artistic designed bottles made by Oskar Kogoj and are also served as a protocol gift. They fill up exactly one hundred bottles a year! In keeping with tradition, descendants of the Old Vine are donated and this allows for them to grow throughout the world, i.e.: Europe, Israel, Japan and Australia.
Old vine climbs and winds it way up the facade the Old Vine House where you can find a Tourist information center along the exhibition and event area.
ŽIČKI DVOR
It has a massive, almost fortified building that was constructed by the walled line before the end of 16th century. From 14th century there was an administrative and economic center property, which was owned by the Carthusian Monastery of Žič. In the beginning of 19th century Žički Dvor together with the Minorite monastery converted it into a barracks, and later into military prisons and finally a court house.
MINORITE CHURCH WITH A MONASTERY
They occupy a horseshoe shaped complex. The central building is a church, dedicated to Mary Ascension. The church was thoroughly remodeled in Baroque style and still today the typical Baroque painting can be seen. The monastery complex was designed in the 13th century and thus is the only medieval monastery in Maribor. It served as a monastery until the end of 18th century but was later also used by military. In 2012 the monastery was rebuilt and today it is the Puppet Theatre of Maribor with two halls, one large and one small.
JUDGMENT TOWER
From 14th century the Judgement tower was protecting the most southewest area of the city and is one of the oldest preserved fortification buildings. It has a conical floor with vents, but once also had a platform for artillery, surrounded by constructed bounded wooden fence posts serving as the wall. It got its name from the time when sentences were pronounced in it. It is also linked to the trials of witch's processes, as it was here that sentences were handed down on women who were perceived as being witches and thrown into the river Drava. Due to its shape the Judgement Tower is also known as the Round Tower.
