Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
just one, and shout “Grip fast!” when they came to any rough patches. That chamberlain's
descendants took the name Leslie and eventually bought this castle in 1656. The family
crestbecamethosethreebucklesthechamberlainhadusedtoprotecthisprincess(intheleft
shield). You'll spot this insignia throughout the castle.
Kurentovanje
Ptuj is famous for its distinctive Mardi Gras celebration, called Kurentovanje (koo-
rent-oh-VAWN-yeh). Locals dress up in elaborate costumes and parade through the
streets, celebrating the end of winter and heralding the arrival of spring. Nearby vil-
lages have similar, smaller, and more traditional processions.
It seems quaint today, but in the Middle Ages, Kurentovanje was deadly serious.
The winter is particularly harsh here, so when spring began to approach, the peasants
wanted to offer encouragement. They'd put on frightening masks and costumes and
parade around making as much noise as possible to scare off the winter.
