Drava River Old Bridge | Maribor

Information

Landmark: Drava River Old Bridge
City: Maribor
Country: Slovenia
Continent: Europe

Drava River Old Bridge, Maribor, Slovenia, Europe

The Old Bridge, also known as the State Bridge, is a red steel arch bridge spanning the Drava River in the center of Maribor. It connects the historic Lent District on the northern bank with the Tabor district on the southern bank.

Visual Characteristics

The bridge is a riveted steel structure featuring three main arches supported by massive concrete piers clad in stone. It is painted a deep red color and includes decorative iron railings and four stone kiosks at the bridgehead entrances. The roadway consists of asphalt with separated elevated sidewalks for pedestrians on both sides, offering a direct view of the Old Vine House and the Water Tower.

Location & Access Logistics

The bridge is located on the axis of Glavni trg (Main Square) and Ulica kneza Koclja. It is the central crossing point of the city, situated approximately 0.4 kilometers south of Maribor Cathedral. Pedestrians can access it directly from the Lent embankment via stone staircases. For vehicles, it serves as a primary link for bus lines 1, 2, 3, 6, and 21. Limited street parking is available on the southern bank near the medical center (UKC Maribor).

Historical & Ecological Origin

Constructed between 1909 and 1913, the bridge replaced an older wooden structure that was insufficient for early 20th-century traffic. It was designed by architect Richard Wimmer and engineer Eugen Lendl during the Austro-Hungarian period. During World War II, the bridge was partially destroyed by the Yugoslav Army to hinder German advancement and was later reconstructed. It crosses the Drava, a major alpine river that is ecologically significant for its power generation and local bird habitats.

Key Highlights & Activities

The bridge serves as the primary vantage point for photographing the "Lent panorama," including the colorful riverfront houses and the Franciscan Church. Pedestrians use the walkways for transit between the University of Maribor buildings and the medical district. Viewing the annual "Old Vine Festival" raft procession on the river below is a seasonal highlight.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The bridge is equipped with street lighting and wide sidewalks. There is no shade on the bridge itself, and it is highly exposed to wind from the Drava valley. Restrooms and cafes are located at both ends: in the Main Square to the north and the Europark shopping center (0.5km) to the south. 4G and 5G cellular signals are consistently strong across the entire span.

Best Time to Visit

Photography is best in the late afternoon or at sunset, as the light hits the northern riverfront buildings directly. At night, the bridge arches are illuminated, making it a focal point of the city's evening landscape. During winter months, the bridge deck can become extremely icy due to moisture from the river.

Facts & Legends

When it was opened in 1913, it was considered one of the most beautiful bridges in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A local historical oddity is that the bridge originally had a toll system for those crossing into the city center. A "secret" tip for photographers is to use the staircases on the southern bank to reach the river level for a low-angle shot that frames the city through the steel arches.