Pyramid

The Pyramid is a gentle hill rising above Maribor in Slovenia. It stands just 386 metres high yet offers wide views across the city and the surrounding vineyards. A short walk of 15 to 30 minutes brings visitors to the top. The hill has been a landmark for centuries, long before the modern city grew around it. For most of the 18th century the hilltop carried Upper Maribor Castle, built before 1784. After the castle was torn down around 1790, its stones were used to build a pyramid-shaped obelisk that gave the hill its name. In 1821 the obelisk was replaced by a small chapel with a statue of the Virgin Mary. Below the chapel the slopes are still covered with vines that produce local wine. Today the summit holds the white chapel and a statue standing on a stone pedestal. Visitors can walk the old castle paths and see the remains of defensive earthworks and a rough stone well. The vineyard terraces below add colour and scent to the climb. From the top the red roofs of Maribor stretch away under the hills.