Ptuj, Slovenia

Ptuj (pronounced roughly like “ptooey”) is famous for being Slovenia's oldest city. Its annual festivals are points on the map of its celebrated traditional heritage, and these cultural events are as much of a draw as the city itself. Ptuj is located in eastern Slovenia on the Drava River (where Romans camped out in the first century A. D.) and is a recommended destination for those who want to see the Slovenia beyond Ljubljana. Though it may seem like an average historic town superficially, a closer inspection reveals surprising elements to Ptuj for travelers.

Sights in Ptuj

Many of Ptuj's sights revolve, predictably, around its historic core. Town Square, with its town hall, acts as a good starting point for your exploration of Ptuj. On Slovenski Square, you'll see the Town Tower, where you'll find a tourist office open during the summer months.

To understand Ptuj's well-established attractiveness to settlers, visit the Archeological Museum in the Dominican Monastery on Muzejski Square. You'll see treasures dating back to the times of the Celts and Romans and get a feel for the early people who called the territory home.

For art and architecture, check out the Minorite Church, the Church of St. George, and Presernova ulica (street). You'll see examples from the Romanesque, Baroque, Renaissance, and other periods. A stroll through the town will acquaint you with its varied edifices and give you plenty of opportunity for photographs.

Ptuj Castle is also a major draw, and you should make time for this attraction during your explorations. Examine the structure of the castle, the site of which was used for defensive purposes long before the current structure was erected. The castle museum exhibits period furnishings and portraits, typical to what you might find in castles throughout Europe.

Mithra Shrines

If you're interested in archeology or Roman history, be sure to venture outside of Ptuj to visit the Mithra shrines. A pre-Christian cult, Mithraism was bound by rules and rituals; it was founded in Persia then spread through Rome. While some shrines to Mithra were destroyed when Christianity became compulsory, some very good examples of these shrines are preserved near Ptuj. The Mithra III shrine is less than a mile outside of town, to the west, and the older Mithra I shrine is nearby.

Thermal Springs

Another activity near Ptuj is the Terme spa (sava-hotels-resorts.com), with thermal springs and a water park. Slides and wave pools make this thermal spa as fun as it is potentially healthy.

Events in Ptuj

Ptuj hosts several traditional fairs and carnivals, the most notable being Slovenia Carnival, during which the Kurenti—men dressed in shaggy costumes and colorful masks—ward away evils spirits with noisemakers. This colorful, traditional event enjoys top spot on Ptuj's calendar, so if you're in Slovenia during carnival time, make an effort to get over to Ptuj to see how it's really done.

George's Fair in April, Catherine's Fair in November, and the Christmas Fair in December are also great times to travel to Ptuj. Traditional markets, where you can buy handcrafted items and sample local treats, provide an opportunity to sample Slovenian culture.

Hotels in Ptuj

Unfortunately, Ptuj is short on hotels. Two options are the Hotel Mitra or the hotel at the Terme spa.

Ptuj Hotels: Compare Prices.

Getting to Ptuj

If you don't have your own transportation, bus and train routes will get you to Ptuj. If you're already in Maribor, bus has the potential to be a convenient way to get to Ptuj—they run every hour. However, if you're in Ljubljana, go by train. You can either visit Ptuj directly or go to Maribor, then continue on to Ptuj.