PTUJ AND MARIBOR - Croatia and Slovenia - page 1021

that interest you. The TI can also give you a list of hotels or help you arrange for a local
guide.
Arrival in Maribor
The train station (which has big lockers) is a 10-minute walk east of the Old Town. Exit the
station to the left and head up busy Partizanska cesta. Follow Partizanska as it swings right
at the bus station, then continue three more blocks toward the Franciscan Church, with its
twin red-brick spires. The main TI is in front of the church, and the Old Town is immedi-
ately behind the church.
Self-Guided Walk
Welcome to Maribor
Maribor's Austrian-feeling Old Town lacks big-league sights, but its squares and lanes are
worth a wander. This very lightly narrated walk will give you the lay of the land. You could
do it in less than a half-hour, not including stops.
Entering the Old Town from the train station (on Partizanska, passing the Franciscan
Church with its two red-brick spires—see “Arrival in Maribor,” earlier), you find yourself
on Trg Svobode. The oddly bulbous monument honors local Partisans (Yugoslav freedom-
fighters) who were executed by Nazis during World War II. Wine cellars honeycomb the
earth under this square.
At the end of the square, with the tall tower, is the town's castle (Mestni Grad), which
houses a good regional museum.
Adjoining Trg Svobode is a second square, Grajski trg —Maribor's liveliest, bustling
with cafés and restaurants (including the recommended Štajerc brewpub, just down the
streetfromthebottomofthesquare).Atthetopofthesquareisthevenerable Café Astoria,
a local landmark (open long hours daily).
Recent-history buffs may want to take a detour from here to Maribor's most interesting
museum:the Maribor National Liberation Museum (MuzejNarodoneOsvoboditveMari-
bor), about a five-minute walk up the street that's at the top of Grajski trg (between Café
Astoria and the castle). The ground floor features generally good temporary exhibits. Up-
stairs, the permanent collection holds a hodgepodge of items from the city's history, mostly
focusing on Slovenia's turbulent 20th century (€2, Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00, Sat 9:00-12:00,
closed Sun, Ulica Heroja Tomši č a 5, tel. [phone], www.muzejno-mb.si ).
BackonGrajskitrg,followlively Slovenska ulica, linedwithcharacteristic cafés,sweet
shops, and happy al fresco diners. Take a left at Tyrševa/Gosposka, passing some fun
student-oriented boutiques. Then turn right on 10 Oktobra to find the big parking-lot square