Košaki

Košaki is a settlement in the northern part of Maribor, Slovenia. It sits on gentle slopes overlooking the Drava River valley. The area has been known as Lajteršperk in the past. In the 20th century, residents worked in farming, winemaking or Maribor factories. Their produce reached markets in Maribor and Austria. The parish of Blessed Bishop Anton Martin Slomšek in Košaki was founded in 1998. Pope John Paul II blessed the foundation stone for the new parish church during the beatification of Anton Martin Slomšek in 1999. Construction began in 2008 under architect Ivo Goropevšek. The first parish priest was Franciscan Franci Pivec, followed by Jože Urbanija and later Igor Ignacij Novak. The church became part of Maribor’s urban pastoral space. Košaki also hosts a cultural association founded in 2012 on the saint’s birthday. It runs a women’s chamber choir, youth choir, children’s singing group and folklore preservation team. Nearby, Košaki TMI has produced meat and meat products since 1872. The company blends modern methods with traditional skills and offers products free from common allergens.