Cathedral and its bell tower

Once in the square of Slomškov trg, you have to visit Maribor's Cathedral. The construction of the cathedral and its further development brought Maribor additional cultural impetus and enforcement. It was built in the 12th century as a Romanesque building. Today it shows a Gothic style with a long chancel dating from the 14th century and a central church nave from the 15th century.

The long chancel or presbytery is completed with choir benches dating from 1771, on which there are shallow, gilded relief images of scenes from the life of St John the Baptist created by carver Jožef Holzinger. It is here that stand a statue of Bishop Anton Martin Slomšek, made by sculptor Franc Zajec in 1878, the Bishop's Chair dating from 1890, and the vaulted tomb of Maribor's bishops. In Baroque carver Jožef Holzinger built the chapel of the Holy Cross, furnished with an altar, where in 1996 the tomb of Bishop Slomšek was placed. On 4 September 1859 Anton Martin Slomšek transferred the seat of the Lavantine diocese to Maribor.

The 57 metre high classicist designed bell tower was rebuilt at the end of the 18th century when the primarily 76-metre high bell tower was struck by lightening.