Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 23:45, 27 September 2011

Maribor
City
Maribor from Pohorje
Flag of MariborFlagCoat of arms of MariborCoat of arms
Logo Maribor 2012 - ECC
Country	Slovenia
Municipality	Maribor
Government
• Mayor	Franc Kangler (SLS)
Area
• Total	41 km (16 sq mi)
Population
• Total	157,947
• Density	3,900/km (10,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02 (CEST)
Post code	2000
Area code	02
Website	www.maribor.si

Maribor (pronunciation German: Marburg) is the second largest city in Slovenia with 157,947 inhabitants as of 2011. Maribor is also the largest and the capital city of Slovenian region Lower Styria and the seat of the Municipality of Maribor.

In 2012 Maribor will be the European Capital of Culture and in 2013 it will host the XXVI 2013 Winter Universiade. In November 2010, The European Youth Forum announced that Maribor will also be the 2013 European Youth Capital.

History

In 1164 a castle known as the Marchburch (Middle High German for "March Castle") was documented in Styria. It was first built on Piramida Hill, just above the city. Maribor was first mentioned as a market near the castle in 1204, and received town privileges in 1254. It began to grow rapidly after the victory of Rudolf I of Habsburg over Otakar II of Bohemia in 1278. Maribor withstood sieges by Matthias Corvinus in 1480 and 1481 and by the Ottoman Empire in 1532 and 1683, and the city remained under the control of the Habsburg Monarchy until 1918.

Maribor, previously in the Catholic Diocese of Graz-Seckau, became part of the Diocese of Lavant on 1 June 1859, and the seat of its Prince-Bishop. The name of the diocese (after a river in Carinthia) was later changed to the Diocese of Maribor on 5 March 1962. It was elevated to an archdiocese by Pope Benedict XVI on 7 April 2006.

Jewish community

The Jews of Maribor were first mentioned in 1277 when they allegedly already lived in Jewish quarter of the city, however, the first reliable source dates back to 1317. The Jewish ghetto was located in the south-eastern part of the city and it comprised, at its peak, several main streets in the city centre as well as part of the main city square. The ghetto boasted a synagogue, a Jewish cemetery and also a Talmudic school. The Jewish community of Maribor was numerically most significant around 1410. After 1450, the circumstances changed dramatically: increasing competition that coincided with an economic crisis dealt a severe blow to economic activities that were crucial to their economic success. According to the decree issued by Emperor Maximilian I in 1496, Jews were forced to leave. Restrictions on settlement and business for Jews remained until 1861.

Well known rabbi Israel Isserlein who was the chief Rabbi of Carinthia, Styria and Carniola, spent most of his life as a resident of Maribor.

Maribor synagogue is one of the oldest preserved synagogues in Europe, and one of only two left in Slovenia.

Early 20th century

Before the First World War, the city had a population that was 80% Austrian Germans and 20% Slovenes; most of the city's capital and public life was in Austrian German hands. Thus, it was mainly known by its Austrian name Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help). According to the last Austro-Hungarian census in 1910, the city of Maribor and the suburbs Studenci (Brunndorf), Pobrežje (Pobersch), Tezno (Thesen), Radvanje (Rothwein), Krčevina (Kartschowin), and Košaki (Leitersberg) consisted of 31,995 Austrian Germans (including German-speaking Jews) and just 6,151 ethnic Slovenes. The surrounding area however was populated almost entirely by Slovenes, although many Austrian Germans lived in smaller towns like Ptuj.

During World War I, many Slovenes in Carinthia and Styria were detained on suspicion of being enemies of the Austrian Empire, which led to distrust between Austrian Germans and Slovenes. After the collapse of Austria-Hungary in 1918, Maribor was claimed by both the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs and by German Austria. On 1 November 1918, a meeting was held by Colonel Anton Holik in Melje's barracks, where it was decided the German speaking city should be part of German Austria. Ethnic Slovene Major Rudolf Maister, who was present at the meeting, denounced the decision. That same day he was awarded the rank of general by the National Council for (Slovenian) Styria and organized Slovenian military units which successfully seized control of the city. All Austrian officers and soldiers were disarmed and demobilized and to new German Austria. The city council then held a secret meeting, where it was decided to do whatever possible to regain Maribor for German Austria. They organized a military unit, called the Green Guard (Schutzwehr), and approximately 400 well-armed soldiers of this unit opposed the pro-Slovenian and pro-Yugoslav Major Maister. Slovenian troops surprised and disarmed the GreenGuard early in the morning of 23 November. Thereafter, there was no threat to the authority of Rudolf Maister in the city.

On 27 January 1919, Austrian Germans gathered to await the United States peace delegation at the city's marketplace were fired on by Slovenian troops, who apparently feared the crowd of thousands of ethnic German citizens. Nine citizens were killed and more than eighteen were seriously wounded; who ordered the shooting has never been conclusively established. German sources accused Maister's troops of shooting without cause; Slovene witnesses, such as Dr. Maks Pohar, claimed that the Austrian Germans attacked the Slovenian soldiers guarding the Maribor city hall. Regardless of the reason, the Austrian German victims had all been unarmed. German language media named the incident Marburg's Bloody Sunday.

As Maribor was now firmly in the hands of the Slovenian forces and encircled completely by Slovenian territory, the city was recognized as part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes without a plebiscite in the Treaty of Saint-Germain of September 1919 between the victors and German Austria.

After 1918, most of Maribor's Austrian Germans left the Kingdom of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs for Austria, including the German-speaking officials who did not originate from the region. Austrian German schools, clubs, and organisations were ordered closed by the new state of Yugoslavia, even though ethnic Germans still made up more than 25% of the city's total population as late as the 1930s. A policy of cultural assimilation was pursued in Yugoslavia against the Austrian German minority similar to the Germanization policy followed by Austria against its Slovene minority in Carinthia. However, in the late 1930s the policy was abandoned and the Austrian German minority's position improved significantly in an attempt to gain better diplomatic relations with Nazi Germany.

World War II

In 1941, Lower Styria, the Yugoslav part of Styria, was annexed by Nazi Germany. German troops marched into the town at about 9pm on April 8, 1941.

On April 26, Adolf Hitler, who encouraged his followers to "make this land German again", visited Maribor and a grand reception was organized by local Germans in the city castle. Immediately after the occupation, Nazi Germany began mass expulsions of Slovenes to the Independent State of Croatia, Serbia, and later to the concentration and work camps in Germany. The Nazi goal was to re-Germanize the population of Lower Styria after the war. Many Slovene patriots were taken hostage and some were believed to have been later shot in the prisons of Maribor and Graz.This led to organized partisans resistance.. Maribor 'hosted' a German PoW camp from 1941 -1945 for many British, Australian and New Zealand troops who had been captured in Crete in 1941. The city, a major industrial center with extensive armaments industry, was systematically bombed by the Allies in the closing years of World War II. The remaining German-speaking population, except those who had actively collaborated with the resistance during the war, was summarily expelled following the end of the war in 1945.

After the liberation, Maribor capitalized on its proximity to Austria as well as its skilled workforce, and developed into a major transit and cultural center of Northern Slovenia, enabled by Josip Broz Tito's decision not to build an Iron Curtain at the borders towards Austria and Italy and to provide passports to the citizens.

When Slovenia seceded from Yugoslavia in 1991, the loss of the Yugoslav market severely strained the city's economy which was based on heavy industry, resulting in record levels of unemployment of almost 25%. The situation has improved since the mid-1990s with the development of small- and medium-sized businesses and industry, allowing Maribor to overcome the industrial crisis and look forward to brighter days. Slovenia entered the European Union in 2004, introduced the Euro currency in 2007 and joined the Schengen treaty; accordingly all border controls between Slovenia and Austria ceased in 2007 on Christmas Day.

Contemporary

Popular tourist sites in Maribor include the 12th century Maribor Cathedral in the Gothic style and the Maribor Town Hall constructed in the Renaissance style. The Maribor castle dates from the 15th century.

The city hosts the University of Maribor, established in 1975, and many other schools. It is also home to the oldest grapevine in the world, called Stara trta, which is more than 400 years old.

Maribor is hometown of NK Maribor, a Slovenian football team. They participated in the UEFA Champions League in the 1999-2000 season.

Every January, the skiing centre of Mariborsko Pohorje, situated on the outskirts of the city on the slopes of the Pohorje mountain range, hosts women's slalom and giant slalom races for the Alpine Skiing World Cup known as Zlata lisica (The Golden Fox). Every June, the two-week Festival Lent (named after the waterfront district called Lent) is held, with hundreds of musical, theatrical and other events.

Maribor was named as an Alpine city in 2000 and chosen as European Capital of Culture 2012 alongside with Guimarães, Portugal. Maribor will be the host city of the 2013 Winter Universiade. In 2011 it was also announced that Maribor will be European Youth Capital in 2013.

Architecture

In 2008 was completed new footbridge called "Studenška brv". It was designed by Slovenian well known structural engineering company Ponting. This bridge also received in 2008 the prestige Footbridge Award, awarded on 3rd International Conference Footbridge in Porto.

Some years ago it was also huge discusion to build the new modern business, residential and entertainment district in Maribor called "Dravska vrata" with nickname Maribor Manhattan. This megalomanic project would include many new exclusive residential apartments, offices and conference halls, green and recreational "oasis" and other objects. In project was also included 111m tall skyscraper, which would be, if build, the tallest building in Slovenia. Currently the project is on hold, because of the recent financial crisis.

In 2010 City of Maribor also organized an international architectural competition ECC Maribor 2012 - Drava 2012 for designing and reconstruction of river Drava banks, for new Art Gallery and for new footbridge. They received about 400 solutions for three competition zones. The footbridge and river embankments will be build in near future, but the Art Gallery was exchanged with cultural multicenter MAKS, which is currently under construction. MAKS Centre will be build on the site of the existing industrial building - designed by arhitectural firm Sadar+Vuga.

In 2011 also began the construction of new modern Faculty of Medicine near to river Drava. The faculty was designed by arhitect Boris Podrecca and it is expected to be completed in 2013.

Not long ago it was also an architectural competition for renovation of Maribor City Library Rotovž with Rotovž Square and for the Main Square in Maribor. In addition, also the renovation of Maribor Island - Mariborski otok waiting for the beginning.

Main bridges (from west to east):

• Corinthian Bridge (Koroški most)
• Footbridge Studenci (Studenška brv)
• Old Bridge (Stari most, Maribor)
• Tito's bridge (Titov most)
• Rail bridge (Železniški most)
• Double-storey bridge (Dvoetažni most)

In Maribor are also many remains of medieval walls, including towers (Judgement Tower, Water Tower, Maribor, Čeligi's tower.

Tourist attractions

Maribor has many touristic places and attractions, such as many interesting events:

• Lent Festival - major festival event held for approximately two weeks at the end of June. Every year the festival attracts theatre, opera, ballet performers, classical, modern, and jazz musicians and dancers from all over the world as well as visitors. There are also mimes, magicians, and acrobats performing during the festival.
• House of the oldest grapevine in the world (Hiša stare trte) - in Maribor is also the world's oldest living grapevine, which was in 2004 signed in book of Guinness World Records. The grapevine is about 440 years old.
• Women's slalom and giant slalom races for the Alpine Skiing World Cup known as "Zlata lisica" (The Golden Fox). This event is hold on mountain range Pohorje which is also the most visited place - both recreational and touristic in winter and also summer.
• Maribor Island (Mariborski otok) - the oldest public baths, but still important and well visited place in Maribor. The city also offers many indoor swimming pools (Pristan, Fontana).
• Maribor Castle, Maribor Town Hall Rotovž, Betnava Castle, Plague Memorial, Maribor.
• Wine and culinary specialities - international and Slovene cousine (mushroom soup with buckwheat mush, tripe, sour soup, sausages with sauerkraut, cheese dumplings, apple strudel, special cheese cake called gibanica). Also many popular restaurant with Serbian cuisine.
• Vinag Wine Cellar (Vinagova vinska klet) - with 20.000 m2 surface and 2 km (1 mi) length has 5,5 millions litres of excellent wine.
• Maribor City Park (with City Aquarium and Terrarium, wide promenade, which lead to the Three Ponds (Trije ribniki), in park is over 100 local and foreign species of deciduous and coniferous trees).
• Adrenaline park Pohorje (Adrenalinski park Pohorje) with High Ropes Course, one track line PohorJET, summer sledding and Bike park Pohorje.
• Maribor Synagogue (Sinagoga Maribor) - built in 14th century, it is the second oldest in Europe. Today, it serves as a centre for cultural activities and it offers visitors various events including exhibitions, concerts, literary evenings and round tables. The Synagogue is located in the square Jewish square (Židovski trg) in the former Jewish quarter.
• Kalvarija and Piramida (well visited city hills Pyramid, Maribor) surrounded by vineyards.
• Maribor, jointly with Guimarães, is going to be European Capital of Culture in 2012.
• 2013 Winter Universiade.
• 2013 European Youth Capital.

• Franciscan Church
• Plague Memorial, Maribor

Demography

City districts

The city districts (Template:Lang-sl)

The city of Maribor has 12 districts as listed below, but the whole Municipality of Maribor also includes Kamnica, Pekre, Limbuš, Razvanje, Malečnik-Ruperče and Brestrenica-Gaj. The river Drava divides the districts Center, Koroška Vrata, Melje and Ivan Cankar from the other districts of the city. They are all connected with 4 traffic bridges, 1 train bridge and 1 pedestrian bridge.

Famous natives and residents

List of notable individuals who were born or lived in Maribor:

• Leon Štukelj, Olympic champion
• Zlatko Zahovič, football player
• Tomaž Barada, taekwondoist
• Sani Bečirovič, basketball player
• Danilo Türk, president of Slovenia
• Saša Vujačić, NBA basketball player
• Fredi Bobic, German-Slovene football player
• Andrej Brvar, poet
• Aleš Čeh, football player
• Lev Detela, writer, poet, and translator
• Mladen Dolar, philosopher
• Vekoslav Grmič, Roman Catholic bishop and theologian
• Herta Haas, second wife of Joseph Broz Tito
• Polona Hercog, tennis player
• Israel Isserlin, Medieval rabbi
• Archduke Johann of Austria, Habsburg nobleman and philanthropist
• Drago Jančar, author
• Janko Kastelic, conductor and music director
• Matjaž Kek, football player and coach
• Ottokar Kernstock, Austrian poet
• Aleksander Knavs, football player
• Edvard Kocbek, poet, essayist, and politician
• Katja Koren, alpine skier
• Anton Korošec, politician
• Bratko Kreft, author
• Rene Krhin, football player
• Rudolf Maister, military leader
• Janez Menart, poet and translator
• Guiseppe Morpurgo, Founder of Generali
• Mima Jaušovec, female former tennis player
• Tomaž Pandur, stage director
• Tone Partljič, playwright, screenwriter, politician
• Žarko Petan, writer, essayist, theatre and film director
• Janko Pleterski, historian
• Miran Potrč, politician
• Zoran Predin, singer
• Ladislaus von Rabcewicz, Austrian civil engineer
• Stanko Majcen, playwright
• Zorko Simčič, writer and essayist
• Anton Martin Slomšek, Roman Catholic bishop, author, poet, and advocate of Slovene culture.
• Wilhelm von Tegetthoff, Austrian admiral
• Anton Trstenjak, theologian, psychologist, essayist
• Prežihov Voranc, writer and political activist
• Karmina Šilec, conductor
• Jan Muršak, second ever Slovenian NHL hockey player
• Luka Krajnc, football player
• Maja Keuc, singer

International relations

Twin towns — sister cities

Maribor is twinned with:

References

Notes

1. Statistical Information. Published by Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia
2. :: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia - How frequent are the same names of settlements and streets? ::
3. Jewish community of Slovenia
4. Maribor Synagogue
5. Maister's rank of General was recognized by the Ministry of Defence of the National Government of SHS on 14 December 1918; published in Official Journal No. 1.
6. The German Misplaced Pages gives the figures of 13 killed and more than 60 wounded.
7. Tomasevich, Jozo (1975-03). War and Revolution in Yugoslavia, 1941-1945: Occupation and Collaboration. Stanford University Press. p. 85. ISBN 978-0-8047-0857-9. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)
8. University of Maribor site.
9. Old vine in Maribor
10. Official website of NK Maribor
11. Official website of Mariborsko Pohorje
12. Festival Lent website
13. Tabela: Podatki s področja demografije (projekt Urban Audit) za občini Ljubljana in Maribor
14. "Twin Towns - Graz Online - English Version". www.graz.at. Retrieved 2010-01-05.

External links

• Interactive map of Maribor at Najdi.si
• Official website Template:Sl icon
• Tourism homepage
• Slovenia Explorer - Maribor
• Family travel guide to Maribor
• Maribor art gallery
• Template:Wikitravel
• Maribor at kraji.eu

v t e Urban Municipality of Maribor
Subdivisions	City districts Brezje–Dogoše–Zrkovci Center Ivan Cankar Koroška Vrata Magdalena Nova Vas Pobrežje Radvanje Studenci Tabor Tezno Local communities Bresternica–Gaj Kamnica Limbuš Malečnik–Ruperče Pekre Razvanje
Landmarks	Angels (statues) Carinthia Street Cathedral Peak Drava Hutter Colony Kalvarija Hill Liberation Monument Main Square Maribor Island Maribor Park Market Hall Plague Column Pyramid Old Bridge (List of bridges in Maribor) Railway Station Revolution Square Strossmayer Street Trieste Street University of Maribor Zamorc Hotel
Castles, palaces, fortresses	Betnava Mansion Jewish Tower Judgement Tower Orešje Castle Račji Dvor Mansion Town Castle Town Hall Upper Maribor Castle Vetrinje Mansion Water Tower
Places of worship	Basilica of Our Mother of Mercy Capuchin Church Cathedral Synagogue
Settlements	Administrative seat: Maribor Bresternica Celestrina Dogoše Gaj nad Mariborom Grušova Hrastje Hrenca Jelovec Kamnica Laznica Limbuš Malečnik Meljski Hrib Metava Nebova Pekel Pekre Počehova Razvanje Ribniško Selo Rošpoh Ruperče Šober Srednje Trčova Vinarje Vodole Vrhov Dol Za Kalvarijo Zgornji Slemen Zrkovci
Former settlements	Dobrava Košaki Ledine Marija Brezje Nova Vas Spodnje Radvanje Za Gradom Zgornje Radvanje
Sports	AKK Branik Maribor AVK Branik Maribor HDK Maribor Ljudski vrt Maribor Generals NK Maribor OK Maribor OK Nova KBM Branik RK Maribor Branik Tabor Hall ŽNK MB Tabor
Culture	Academic Choir Aquarium Carmina Slovenica Lent Festival Maribor Slovene National Theatre Obzorja Publishing House Philharmonic Orchestra Račji Dvor Open-Air Museum Radio City Slava Klavora Theatre
Healthcare	Maribor University Medical Centre
Notable people	List of people from Maribor

• Populated places in the Municipality of Maribor
• Municipalities of Slovenia
• Maribor
• European Capitals of Culture
• Historic Jewish communities