Over the crucifix path

DURATION: 1 day
GUIDE: Yes
PROGRAMME:
10:00

Start of the program in Malečnik, collection point by arrangement (in case of organized transport, at the stop at Črni Baron)

East of Maribor, between the river Drava and the Pesniška valley, lies the town of Malečnik. This is where the wine-growing hills begin and are like a kind of gateway to Slovenske gorice. The place consists of hamlets; Malečnik, Vodole, Hrenca, Celestrina, Trčova, Metava, Nebova, Ruperče and Grušova. A total of nine settlements with 959 households. 2700 people live here on an area of ​​1800 hectares. The farms are mainly engaged in viticulture and fruit growing. The place offers plenty of delicacies in many wine and tourist farms, as the Maribor wine road runs here. The Drava River gives a stamp to the place and at the same time offers many opportunities for recreation and relaxation. In the middle of Malečnik, the hill of Gorca with the pilgrimage church of the same name rises above the parish church. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was built in 1517. The pilgrimage and excursion point is also popular because of the beautiful view of Pohorje, Boč, Donačka and Ptujska gora and the Drava plain.

10:15

A few minutes ascent to the parish of St. Peter, followed by a tour of the beautiful church.

Parish of St. Peter near Maribor dates back to 1236, when it was first mentioned as the parish of Sv. Petra on the rock. The pastor is first mentioned in 1338. The original church was Romanesque and was built on the same site. However, because the Drava had its own run past this hill, where the road is now, it was dangerous for the foundations of the church due to the floods and the subsidence of the hill. The people of Šempeter organized the requests of the procession and the danger passed. Later, the church was baroqued and today it got its true image in the 18th century under the leadership of the parish priest Janez E. Sitttich.

The watchful eye of a pilgrim entering the church notices the beautiful Path of the crucifix of Tunnner and the disciples, which was first in the chapels along the slope. The main altar is the work of Flurer and shows the handing over of the key to the Apostle Peter. Under the altar are the relics of the Roman martyr Faustinus. In the side altar are the relics of Bishop Slomšek. The beautiful organ is the work of master Brandl from Maribor. The landmark of this place is the Path of the crucifix, which was restored a few years ago and had it built by the then parish priest Marko Glazer in the 19th century. Pilgrims come daily for a walk past chapels or a group of pilgrims during Lent and pray at the Path of the crucifix. On the hill, the pilgrim notices the restored church of the Virgin Mary on Gorca, which dates from 1493. In the main altar is a statue of Mary Help of Christians with Jesus. On the ceiling is a visible painting of angels with names from Lavretan litanies. On the wall are images from the lives of Mary, Jesus and Joseph. On the perimeter are pilgrims with Mary, among them Bishop Slomšek and Pastor Glazer. The restored organ is the work of Master Brandl. In Grušova there is also the chapel of Christ the King, built in 1850 by the Fras brothers, later taken over by Maks Damiš Sr., and after his death by his son Maks Damiš. Pastor Alojzij Žalar introduced Sunday Sts. Masses in the chapel and therefore the visit of the faithful was always very good.

11:00

We continue along the Way of the Cross, the famous pilgrimage route that leads past 14 chapels, all the way to Mary’s Church on Gorca, where the last chapel is also located.

The Path of the crucifix is “devotion in remembrance of the way of Jesus Christ with the cross.” Already in ancient times, pilgrims to Jerusalem walked the path of Jesus to Calvary. During the Crusades, this form of devotion was transferred to Europe, spread especially by the Franciscans, e.g. during fasting.

Stations were lined up on the hills near the towns; later, images with crosses were also placed in churches. The Path of the crucifix has often been the subject of artistic depictions. In addition to all the sights, the people of Malečnik are also very proud of the very special Stations of the crucifix, which originated in the 19th century. The Path of the crucifix is one of the standard equipment of Catholic churches and shows us the suffering of Jesus. In addition, it also represents the prayer that Catholics pray when they stop at each of the fourteen stations or images and remember this suffering. The Path of the crucifix is presented in the form of chapels that stand at the foot of the hill to the top, where the church stands. It consists of fourteen chapels, which were built in 1847 by the then parish priest Marko Glaser. In 1871, they were decorated with frescoes by Jakob Brollo. The chapels were completely renovated and illuminated in 2007. Along the way, several benches have been set up, inviting you to enjoy nature, pray, rest and make a pilgrimage to Mary on Gorca. Chapels line the slope of Gorca. In front of the second chapel there is an interesting stone pyramidal monument, which was erected in 1817 in memory of the pastor M. Breznik, who died on the way to the church. The last few chapels are located in the cemetery and surround the Church of Mary on Gorca. Among the most interesting is the chapel with a sculptural depiction of the scene of the three crucifixes.

13:00

After sightseeing, we descend again to the foot of Gorca, to the Black Baron, where we are greeted with lunch. After lunch, free time for relaxation, coffee, …
Along the nearby path from Maribor to Lenart and Murska Sobota, more precisely in Malečnik, you will find Pizzeria Črni Baron, surrounded by greenery in a natural home environment by a clear stream with a parking lot and a large children’s land with many toys. mini zoo.

In a natural home environment and intimate ambience, they offer us crispy juicy pizzas and homemade food; conference room rental; organization of birthday celebrations; accommodation in double rooms and suites; covered wooden terrace with park; children’s land and mini zoo; winter garden and a trained team with a 20-year tradition

16:00

An afternoon tour of the city of Maribor and its biggest sights follows. After the tour, we stop at the House of the Old Vine, where the oldest vine in the world reigns. They prepare a guided tasting of selected wines, which concludes our day.

Maribor is the second largest city in Slovenia and the center of the Municipality of Maribor. It is a university and metropolitan city and the economic, financial, administrative, educational, cultural, commercial and tourist center of northeastern Slovenia. Maribor was the European Capital of Culture in 2012 and the European Youth Capital in 2013. In 2012, it also hosted the European Youth Chess Championship. The town developed along the Drava River, below the castle there. The first mention of the castle dates back to 1164. The castle was called Marchburg, which means castle in the mark (the mark was a border county). The castle stood on the hill of the Pyramid, just above the city.

The settlement did not form under the fortress itself; firstly because of the dock under the castle and secondly because of the heavily swampy southwestern area. The settlement was formed along today’s Koroška cesta, ending in today’s Glavni trg, where two important routes from Koroška to Ptuj and from Ljubljana to Graz met. The first mention of the settlement of Maribor is from 1204. The square next to the castle is mentioned. In 1254, the square was granted city rights. With the victory of Rudolf of Habsburg over Otokar II. in 1278 the town began to develop rapidly. Maribor defied the siege of Matthias Corvinus in 1480 and 1481 and the siege of the Ottoman Empire in 1532 and 1683.

The city remained under the rule of the Habsburg Monarchy until 1918.
Today, the city has a number of institutions of national importance. The University of Maribor, the Institute of Information Sciences – IZUM, Nova KBM, Zavarovalnica Maribor, SNG Maribor, the University Clinical Center Maribor and the Archdiocese of Maribor are based here. National institutions such as Pošta Slovenije, the Slovenian Enterprise Fund, the Public Energy Agency of the Republic of Slovenia and the Railway Transport Agency are also based in the city.

Maribor is the center of Slovenian Styria and the seat of the Podravska region and the eastern cohesion region with a very favorable position at the crossroads of important European routes, along the Drava River, between Pohorje, Kozjak and Slovenske gorice, between the Drava Valley and the Drava plain.

In the central part of the old town on Lent, the Old Vine, the oldest vine in the world, has been deeply rooted for more than 400 years. The house was built in the 16th century and to this day on the south side, facing the Drava River, has not undergone significant architectural changes. The house was once part of the city walls, where angry fights often took place between the defenders of the city and the attackers. In the middle Ages, the House was engulfed in fire several times, but the solid “velvet blade” planted in front of it has survived to this day. Not even the bombing during World War II came to life, even though the House was partially demolished. Today, the House of the Old Vine houses a temple of wine tradition and culture of Maribor, Styria and Slovenia with guided tours of the rich wine heritage and museum exhibits. A convenient tourist information center is also available to visitors to the city. The Old Vine House also bears the honorary seat of Slovenian and international associations sworn to worship wine and wine culture: the Association of Honorable Wine Convents of St. Urban, the Association of the European Order of the Knights of Wine, the Association of the Slovenian Order of Knights and the Association of Slovenian and Maribor Wine Queens. In the House of the Old Vine, visitors have at their disposal a wine shop and a tasting room of top wines from the Maribor wine-growing sub-region, as well as a souvenir shop and excellent Slovenian chocolates. Throughout the year, the House hosts numerous events with a wine and culinary theme. In the summer months, you can sit in the wine garden and enjoy the view of the venerable “wine queen” in the company of excellent Styrian wine.