The views from Piramida, an unassuming hill to the north of Maribor, equate to having a 300m high TV tower and represent one of my favourite summer moments. I've been doing this since I was a child and it is still as mesmerising as ever. My kids, visitors, my friends - I get them all up the hill and seeing the Austrian Alps to the west, Maribor sitting in front of you and Pannonian plains to the back is unforgettable.
Piramida is a 386 metre high hill and the location of an ancient Maribor castle (between 12th and 18th century). The history says that the castle was demolished in 1784 and the stone pyramid was built at the same place as the reminder (hence the name Piramida). But as if this wasn't enough, in 1821 and after a terrible lightning storm, the stone pyramid was destroyed. The chapel dedicated to Virgin Mary was constructed on the same spot instead and it has been there ever since.
What really fascinates me every time when we are in Maribor is that you can see grapes in meticulous vineyards on Piramida literally from almost any cafe in the city centre. I don't know about you but such a close proximity to nature and vineyards is something you don't see very often.
Today, Piramida hill is a very popular walking destination and a trekking spot. You can reach the top of the hill by using the well maintained path from the city park. The path is even lit during the night (no need to mentioned night views then!).
Every summer we take our kids to Piramida at least once. My daughter can be quite lazy when it comes to walking but never for Piramida though. The path leads through the vineyards full of unexpected animals like snakes, lizards, songbirds, snails, butterflies and even foxes and deer. In the summer you can pick flowers, blackberries and forest strawberries. So, plenty of fun for a little girl.
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