Ptuj’s Hidden Wonders

In the former Roman city of Poetovia, a powerful administrative and military structure once operated, and the cult of Mithras flourished here as one of its most influential European centres.

Roman, Baroque, and Medieval Treasures

Ptuj Castle, with its outstanding collection of nearly 350 musical instruments, ranks among the most comprehensive organological collections in this part of Europe.

Among its highlights are a Roman tibia from the 2nd - 3rd centuries and a masterfully crafted lute by Andreas Berr from 1694 - only one other example survives worldwide. 

The collection also includes Renaissance zithers, violins, rare oriental instruments and preserved Baroque organ parts, offering a unique window into the musical evolution of Central Europe. Its exceptional value lies in its broad timeline, from antiquity to the late Baroque, which places it among Europe's finest museum collections.

A landmark no visitor to the old town can miss is the Orpheus Monument, the oldest public monument in Slovenia. Having served as the town pillory in the Middle Ages, it combines ancient mythological iconography with the social functions of later centuries. Constructed from originally unrelated pieces, it reflects its long-term use, alterations and reinterpretations of the urban space. 

Such examples of Roman artefacts surviving in an urban setting are rare in Europe.

Just steps away stands the Dominican monastery, founded in the 13th century – an architectural fusion of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements.

Here, visitors can explore the lapidarium, a numismatic collection and a reconstruction of Mithraeum II.

The cloister walls reveal three centuries of frescoes, illustrating artistic connections between Styria, Tyrol and the wider Alpine region. The collection of Roman inscriptions found within the complex ranks among Slovenia's finest.

Ptuj is also home to another gem of ecclesiastical architecture. Ptuj’s Minorite Monastery, founded in the 13th century, blends early Gothic architecture with later Baroque additions. Severely damaged in WWII but fully restored, it now serves as a vibrant cultural venue.

Highlights include the Gothic Ptuj Madonna, richly crafted Baroque altars, a 5,000-volume historic library with rare works, and an ornate 17th-century refectorium featuring stucco and frescoes.

Today it remains a site of heritage, music, and learning.

A town of wine and ritual traditions

Ptuj has matured alongside its wine for centuries. Slovenia's oldest wine cellar has been ageing wine for more than 700 years, representing one of the longest continuous winemaking traditions in the country.

Beneath the castle hill grows a descendant of the world's oldest grapevine - a symbol of perseverance and the deep-rooted wine heritage of the Štajerska region.

Historical winemaking records show that Ptuj exported wine to noble courts in Austria and Hungary, and used wooden barrels crafted from specially selected Haloze oak, renowned for its durability.

In winter, the town becomes the stage for one of Central Europe's most recognisable rituals: the procession of the kurenti, inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Their cowbells – some weighing up to 40 kilograms – symbolically chase away winter and evil spirits. They traditionally formed into groups known as "hordes", which is a rarity among European carnival customs. Kurentovanje, the masked rite of spring, is therefore not merely a folklore feature, but a vibrant, dynamic ritual that preserves local identity within a global context.

The charm of the Ptuj Town Cinema

Among Ptuj's cultural treasures is the Ptuj Town Cinema, considered the oldest still-operating Slovenian cinema and one of the oldest in the world. Its first projection dates back to 1897.

With a history spanning more than 125 years, it remains a vital centre of the town's film culture.

Today, the main hall seats 163 people, and is complemented by a smaller, more intimate auditorium. The cinema is part of the Europa Cinemas network. Thanks to its preserved retro architecture and unique ambiance, it has become an attractive film location: among other things, part of a short film by director Trent Whiddon, submitted for consideration at the Cannes Film Festival, was filmed here, with the cinema serving as an authentic 1950s setting.

In addition to its regular programming, the cinema enriches cultural life with the summer open-air cinema, educational programmes for children and youth, film-themed tea parties and conversations with film-makers. It stands today not only a historical monument, but a living cultural hub that maintains ties with European film production while nurturing its local audience.

A place where European history still moves

The town tower, with its clock featuring the world's longest wooden pendulum  - measuring 21 metres - adds to Ptuj's technical heritage. Researchers note that the pendulum was designed specifically for the tower and required static reinforcements, representing an engineering achievement of its time.

Ptuj is undoubtedly a town brimming with stories. You only have to discover them. Explore its treasures: Roman temples, medieval monasteries, Baroque musical treasures, fine wine, ceremonial masks and a cinema with an international legacy. Here, the flow of millennia continues into everyday life.