Information
City: PtujCountry: Slovenia
Continent: Europe
Ptuj, Slovenia, Europe
Overview
Ptuj, often called Slovenia’s oldest town, sits in the fertile Drava River Valley of northeastern Slovenia, surrounded by vineyards and soft, rolling hills.About 18,000 people live here, spread across 66 square kilometers, with the town center perched 232 meters above sea level.Summers are warm, often reaching 30°C, while winters bring frost, snow, and the sharp scent of woodsmoke.The Drava River cuts through the heart of the town, with Slovenia’s largest artificial lake just nearby.Settled since the Stone Age, Ptuj rose to prominence in Roman times as Poetovio, a bustling military and trade hub on key road networks, and later grew into a thriving medieval market town crowned by Ptuj Castle.Through centuries under Habsburg rule and beyond, it’s remained a center for winemaking, agriculture, and traditional crafts.Visitors wander cobbled streets lined with historic facades, explore the Renaissance castle museum, and taste crisp Šipon wines.Yearly festivals-most famously the Kurentovanje carnival, with its fur-clad, bell-wearing Kurenti-fill the town with music, masks, and the promise of spring, while the river, lake, and Haloze Hills offer days of hiking, birdwatching, and quiet views over the vines.In Jurija, you’ll find a Romanesque and Gothic church adorned with vivid frescoes and steeped in centuries of history, while the town itself stays well linked by road to Maribor-just 27 km away-and other regional hubs, with rail connections reaching across Slovenia and into neighboring countries.Buses make getting around easy, and the flat, scenic paths invite cycling or a leisurely walk under the broad sky.For relaxation, Terme Ptuj offers warm mineral pools and wellness treatments, while the Haloze Hills and Drava River trails tempt hikers and cyclists alike.You can join guided tours through Roman ruins and medieval streets, sip regional wines in family-run cellars, or browse the Ptuj-Ormož Regional Museum’s trove of artifacts.The local library doubles as a cultural gathering spot, and ongoing efforts protect the Drava River, Ptuj Lake, and the town’s heritage.As Slovenia’s oldest settlement, Ptuj blends its Roman roots, vibrant wine culture, and the famed Kurentovanje carnival with timeless architecture and natural beauty.
Landmarks in Ptuj
