"Just Ptuj, actually.............." Top 5 Page for this destination Mestna Obcina Ptuj by leics

I really liked Ptuj (p-tooey), though we didn't visit for very long. It's the oldest city in Slovenia; lots of interesting architecture, Roman bits dotted about, a huuuuuge river and a rather fascinating castle (see travelogue). Well worth visiting, and almost certain to become far more tourist-oriented when Ryanair start flights from the UK to Maribor later this year.

Roman remains.........

The Roman settlement was called Poetivio, and was a prosperous one. Many mosaics/sculptures etc are in the Ptuj museum, and there are 6 Mithraic shrines to be visited (as well as other Roman ruins). Some of the sculptures are incorporated into the base of the city bell-tower (dating from the 16th century), and the large tombstone of Marcus Valerius Verus (dating from the 2nd century) stands just outside it.

Ptuj castle houses one of the museums, a fascinating mish-mash of musical instruments in one room, 'carnival' costumes in another, 'Turkish' portraits in yet another, armour and weapons and artworks..........

The present building dates from Medieval times, although it is certain that the hill stronghold was occupied far back into the Neolithic. The castle had many owners, including the Leslies (from the 16th - 18th century) who did much to create the present shape of the building. After the Second World War it became nationally owned.

Stray elephant....

Many of the buildings I saw as I wandered through Ptuj's narrow streets were interesting in their own right; Gothic curlicues mixed with Medieval gargoyles, a stray architectural elephant (why?), the dilapidated alongside the super-well-maintained.

Ptuj felt like a very friendly place, comfortingly small-scale yet with much of interest to explore. Very much a place I should like to re-visit, and get to know more thoroughly.

• Pros:History, architecture, Romans, atmosphere
• Cons:None that I came across
• In a nutshell:The Romans were here......