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Maribor

Maribor is the second-largest city in Slovenia with a population close to 100K. The biggest and the oldest part of the city is located on the left bank of the Drava river. Probably are the vineyards which surround it, peaceful Pohorje Hills nearby and a lenghty shore of the river that create a special, somewhat Mediterranean easy going atmosphere in the city.

labodivrba

City centre is relatively small and not difficult to find one’s way around.  A stroll from Glavni trg to  Slovenska ulica in the north would take only a couple of minutes and from Titova cesta on the east towards Strossmayeryeva ulica on the west shouldn’t last much longer. Huge majority of everything regarding architecture and history lies inside that square. But take your time and enjoy places on your way.

trgGrajski trg (Castle Square) with Kavarna Astoria and of course with the castle itself is a lively place on sunny days. Turn round at the castle tower and enjoy the view of the Franciscan church since it is difficult to find a shot from the other side, cars free. Always better to have some crowd and a  musician on the photo than some cars:)

cerku

There is no history without a dark side, that day it was just around the corner, on the Trg svobode.

drevBut it was not difficult to proceed on the sunny side.

bista

Maribor is full of small parks and there is a huuuuuge (5 hectares) Mestni park (City Park) just north of the city centre, connecting the urban part of the city with the vineyards  covering the Piramida Hill just above the town.

parkkuglaThis is a classic view, but it is not difficult to find your own.

parkbike

A lot of trees and many of them are 140 years old. Should I add that autumn is the best time to play around with camera?

parkklop

Park is a beautiful combination of free space and order.

lucored

Turning south-east near  Trije ribniki (Tree ponds, used to be a famous restaurant) would lead you to the Railway Station and Bus Station, further back to the city centre. Some pretty amazing details there.

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The back view was also worth a shot.

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A few hundred meters behind the bus station is an access to the river, close to the Railway Bridge. One could easily turn back to the city centre here because there is only a car park behind the station and the buildings across the street are new and ugly. But following the street to the south and crossing the road which goes along the river pays off heavily if you like that kind of view.

zeleznimost

It is necessary to return to the road from here and follow the river upstream but  first opportunity to go back to the river bank is just a few hundred meters away. From there on a path is always close to the water but the best views start again after the next bridge. This is Lent, the oldest part of the city with some amazing old buildings. It is a very popular place to eat and hang around with a lot of sun and plenty restaurants. Unfortunately parked cars can ruin your desired motif.stolp

Water Tower from 1555 was a part of the defence structure of the city. In reality it is not a tower at all and has nothing to do with the water. Well, almost nothing since wine is mostly – water and the tower now hosts an enoteca.

Over the water is another world and only a small part of old building worth to explore but you can cross the river and take a shot back at the Lent. A good photo from the other side requires more serious gear than a phone.

koroskimost

We have found enough beautiful motifs on the Lent itself, like this one bellow the Koroški Bridge.

lent

Also on a beautiful sunny day one can find a photo opportunity without people in the way.

trtaMuch more difficult is find a moment without crowd in front of the Old Vine, the oldest vine in the world. The confirmed age is about 400 years and it still bears grapes. About 100 2,5, dl bottles are filled every year. It is an official THE sight of the city and is a must for all tourist groups but believe me – you can find a lot more in Maribor for your photographic thirst than that.

All information available regarding Maribor you can find in the link at the beginning of this post. For more photo inspirations about Maribor I can strongly recommend Igor Unuk who also acted as a photo guide during our Maribor #instameet.

Zoran Leban Trojar @zokus_gf

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Visit Festival Lent with Igslovenia! Show us your best festival photo!

Festival magic – what is it?

This year, Maribor, the city on the banks of Drava River, will offer more than 320 events at over 15 venues in 9 days and nights during the 24th Lent Festival and thus – again – become the World Capital of #Lenting, that magical Lent Festival feeling of relaxation and vibrant life.

Photo by Dejan Bulut.

But, how does that special feeling, which separates any festival from everyday life, look like? Is it the majestic fireworks, is it lying in the grass or on top of a skyscraper is it an evening with a street-theatre performance or is it an open-air concert, maybethe good company of friends enjoying some amazing street-food…?

You get to decide – we would like YOU to show us, what it means to you, how it feels like, this magical festival moment!

Photo by Boštjan Lah.

How to participate? 

Post your photo (or video) from a festival – ANY festival you like – on Instagram and add #lentanje, #festivallent, #igslovenia and #festivaltimes, so we can find it easier – and the authors of the best photos, selected by the jury, will receive free tickets for Lent Festival 2016!

Two daily tickets will be given to 2 chosen winners every week on Friday during the festival (10. 6, 17. 6, 24. 6, 1. 7.).

The special prize, a 9-day Lentafestival ticket (which gives you free entrance to more than 70 events in 9 days of the festival and many other benefits), will be awarded on Thursday, 23. 6. 2016, to 3 authors, whose photos will illustrate “that crazy & magical” festival moment best.

Photo by Dejan Bulut.

The photos and winners will be selected by the jury composed of Sanja Leban Trojar (@sanya_lt from team @igslovenia), concert and festival photographer Sasa Huzjak (@sasahuzjak) and Tadeja Kristovič (@festivallent).

So, how does it feel, how does it look like? Check the entries here and add yours!

More info:

Festival Lent (page) & Festival Lent (Instagram) & Festival Lent (Facebook) © Sasa Huzjak

Also – leave a question in the comment section or send us an E-mail to info@igslovenia.si.

See you in Maribor!

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