Slovenian square

Slovenian square

Untill 1923 a city market was located on that square, which was back then named as Main square. Until the beginning of 20. century a city hall was located on Slovenian square - precisely in building number 6. Today you are able to see and visit the city hall on the City square. Nowadays the square you are standing on is named as Slovenian square.

Until 12. century city ended on that spot, but nowadays you can see several monuments and buildings, because today Slovenian square represents the center of Old town. On the square you can see the Orpheus monument, City tower, church, theatre, parish of st. Jurij. Lutenberg house, old town hall, market, Hotel Mitra and much more.

Orpheus monument

Orpheus monument is 5 meters high and 1,8 meter width marble tombstone, which was erected in 2. century. The build it for then mayor Marko Valerij Vero. Orpheus monument is the biggest of one peace built Roman monument. In Middle Ages it was used as a pillory. The central relief shows the scene or the myth about Orpheus, when he sadly plays on a lyre because he lost Evridika. Others relief shows Egyptian-Greek God, who symbolize the hope on reincarnation. On the edges of the monuments you can see two lions holding rams head. Under these to relief a goddess of Moon Selena is enacted. She crouch every night over his dead lover Endimion and try to weak him up with kisses from eternal sleep. Unfortunately most of the relief and the signs paled because of the ageing process.

City tower

The City tower is the mightiest Middle Age architecture, which strongly form the old town. City tower was first mentioned in city statute in 1376, but before that a chapel of st. Janez Krstnik was located on that spot. In 1705 a big fire engulfed the city and that was the enough big reason for the citizens to decided to lower the tower. In year 1830 Simon Poveden, Ptuj's curate ordered to build all the monuments from Ptuj and surroundings into the tower. That is how the tower became the oldest open-air lapidarium (it is a place where stone monuments and fragments of archaeological interest are exhibited). Today it si called as "Povodnov museum". You are able to see the most monuments on the east side of the city Tower. Right from the staircase you can see relief plate with representation of Honorary chair. On the top of the staircase you can see a stone lion and arched lintel with two-sided inscription under the lion. On the bottom part of the staircase you can see the plate with a relief representation of three men doing sacrifice ritual. Also you can see the bigger part of relief plat that origins from 2. century. The beginning of the staircase is marked with two rectangular solids. On the right one you can see the relief of genius of autumn and on the left you can see a genius of spring and Hora - the goddess of summer. To the "Povodnov museum" as city tower is named also several sacrificial altar belongs - they are dedicated to the highest God Jupiter.

Church of St. Jurij

The church is the most important building on the square. Among all the buildings this church has the oldest written notes about building it, which classified it among the oldest buildings on that area. The church was already built in 12. century. But before that a Christian basilica was located on that spot. Some wall pictures from that basilica and the statue of St. Jurij - protector of Ptuj are still preserved. A cemetery was located around the church until 1775 - an Orpheus monument in front of the church is a proof of that. Inside of the church you are able to see different monuments, which explains the stories about important people from Ptuj. Very important feature of the church are in 1763 built benches. In year 1863 the church of St. Jurij became Provost. You can see the statue of St. Jurij - protector of Ptuj and the church under the choir stairs.

In order to see the inside of the church you have to call in advance.

Hotel Mitra

The hotel is named after Mitra - Persian God of light and guardian against bad forces. Inside the hotel a Coffee house with a rich history is located - it work since 1785 and it was lead by Jožef Kipertz. Inside the coffe shop you will be served with the Kipertz coffee.

City theatre

A Theatre of Ptuj which is located on the Slovenian square was established by some aristocratic families back in 1786. On the beginning they first build a simple wooden building, which was latter several times rebuild. In 1892 aristocratic families assigned the renovation to the Wien architect Rudolf Klotz. Klotz built the theatre building in four years. The theatre of Ptuj is also a lot of time painted on the postcard, which shows how people of Ptuj are proud on their theatre. The Ptuj's theatre was in the biggest development before the II. World war under the leadership of Franc Žižek. During the war it was a bit demolished and robbed. But in year 2007 the building was repaired.
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