Lent, Maribor's old river port on the Drava

What to see in Lent: the world’s oldest vine

The quarter’s star is the world’s oldest vine. It was put in during the Ottoman wars, against a house that doubled as part of the town defences, and it still gives a crop every autumn. Guinness has recognised it since 2004. Its house now sells wine from around fifty Styrian growers and runs tastings.

The Water Tower and the Judgement Tower

The Water Tower dates from 1555 and was part of the defences against Ottoman raids, with a pentagonal plan, massive walls and gun loops. Its modern history is my favourite story in Lent. When the Zlatoličje hydroelectric plant was built, the Drava was going to rise and the tower was doomed. Following a plan by Jože Požauko, engineers cut it free at the foundations and raised it 2.6 m on 14 hydraulic jacks, a few millimetres at a time, in work that ran from late 1967 to the summer of 1968. It weighs about 1,500 tonnes. Inside today is Vinoteka Maribor.

The Judgement Tower had a predecessor in 1310, but its present round shape dates from 1548 to 1562. It was damaged by fire in 1937 and, since its 2021 restoration, has been a venue for concerts, plays and exhibitions. Visit Maribor explains that the name comes from the town’s old judicial authority and that there’s no evidence for the witch trials of local legend.

The synagogue and Židovski trg

Židovski trg, the old Jewish square, is home to a synagogue documented as early as 1354, Slovenia’s sole surviving medieval one. The respected rabbi Israel Isserlein worked here in the 15th century. After the Jews were expelled from the town it became a church around 1501, and today it’s a Jewish cultural centre with exhibitions and talks.

By the river you’ll also find the Minorite Church of the Assumption, from the 12th century and probably the town’s first parish church, along with the only medieval friary left in Maribor. Since 2010 the friary has been home to Maribor Puppet Theatre.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Maribor on Expedia and filter by area before price.

The Drava promenade, from harbour to terraces

Lent is the oldest part of Maribor, along the left bank of the Drava. For centuries it was a river port where the flosarji, the raftsmen, tied up before carrying timber and other goods downstream to the south. That past survives in the narrow lanes, stretches of town wall and a handful of historic houses.

The riverside promenade was rebuilt in 2024 and is now mostly for people on foot or on bikes, lined with bars and restaurants. If you ask me where to watch the evening light in Maribor, it’s this stretch of riverbank.

When to visit Lent

Lent changes a lot through the year. Festival Lent fills it as summer begins, the vine’s own festival livens it up in late September, and St Martin’s Day on 11 November closes the wine year. Outside those dates it’s a quiet riverside stroll. If you want to stay close by, see my guide to hotels in Maribor.

If you are short on time, see the best tours in Maribor and pick one that fits your day.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Maribor on Booking.com and filter by area before price.