Ptuj

Ptuj is a city along the Drava River featuring medieval streets, pastel-colored buildings, and a castle overlooking the old town from a hilltop. The historic center blends narrow lanes with Renaissance and Baroque facades, while the castle stands as the most distinctive structure in the landscape.

The settlement grew from a Roman military fort called Poetovium in the 1st century BC, serving as a base for the Legio XIII Gemina under Emperor Trajan. Following Rome's decline, it developed into a key medieval trading hub along the Drava.

The annual Kurentovanje celebration transforms the town in February with people wearing sheepskin costumes and masks to perform traditional rituals passed down through generations. These processions move through the old streets, where locals and visitors join in ceremonies rooted in pre-Christian customs.

The castle houses Slovenia's largest collection of musical instruments and offers guided tours in multiple languages. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes, as the old town features narrow cobblestone streets and the climb to the castle is steep.

Beneath the town's streets lie wine cellars dating to the 13th century, with granite vaults storing wines according to centuries-old traditions. This underground network reveals how deeply wine production has been woven into the place's identity.