Carnival - Kurentovanje
by succccccubus
Since 1960, Ptuj has been the stage for the annual traditional carnival event called Kurentovanje, the biggest organised carnival event in Slovenia. The membership in the Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC) since 1991, has without any doubt helped the Ptuj carnival to distinguish itself from other carnivals and gain an international reputation. At the same time, the carnival has grown enriched by new carnival figures and concepts. If Kurentovanje used to be a one-day ethnographical-carnival event, it has grown into an eleven-day carnival festival of ethnographical, carnival and musical performances. Ptuj, traditional and carnival centre of Slovenia, combines Kurentovanje together with other carnivals or "fašenk" in neighbouring villages of Markovci, Cirkulane, Dornava, Videm, Cirkovci, Bukovci.
The word Kurentovanje derives from the traditional carnival mask Kurent or Korant, as it is sistematically called by traditionalists. The most prominent mask belongs to the so-called group of animal masks - furry masks. That means that its outfit consists of a fur coat made of different domestic animal skins (especially of sheep skin), of a chainbelt with five bells (previously, only one enormous bell), of a wooden club with a hedgehog skin at one end called "ježevka" to be carried in its hand. The former vegetative demon represents today an important identification symbol for a wider local community, region and even the state.
In 2010: from 6th to 16th February (etno parade Sunday, 7th February; main parade Sunday, 14th February).
Jurjev sejem (George’s Fair)
by succccccubus
Jurjev sejem (George’s Fair) opens the season for traditional fairs in Ptuj. It takes place on the streets and squares of the town on April 23. There are approximately 150 manufacturers and sellers from all over Slovenia that gather on this fair and offer a great variety of products.
On this day a Medieval market is also organized and it is a thing that shouldn't be missed out.
Biking
by succccccubus
If you want to see more of Ptuj - use your bike or rent it. There are 17 roads you can take, together it is more than 630 kilometers of road and goes true 30 townships. Riding a bike is a great way to see nature and villages around Ptujand to research places and the people from Spodnje Podravje and Prlekija. Rent-a-bike:
- Terme Ptuj: Pot v toplice 9, Ptuj (+386 2 782 782 1)
- Kolesarski center: Jadranska ulica 20, Ptuj (+386 2 771 24 41)
Sturmovec landscape park
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The natural conditions and human influence are the main reasons for the decline of rare and endangered animal and plant species. Many different types of endangered birds, plants and dragon flies can be found here in their natural habitat.
The Šturmovec landscape park is a protected area and therefore football games and picnics are not permitted. And anyway, if you are too noisy you will not see much! You may however organise field trips and educational excursions but make sure you remember to be considerate towards the natural landscape when walking through this last oasis in the otherwise poor and dried out landscape.
Castle Borl
by succccccubus
Borl's beginnings are in the 12th or the 13th century. The castle was first mentioned in 1255 when the Magyar king Bela IV issued a bill to Friedrich, the Lord of Ptuj, regarding several castles, among which was Anchenstein or Borl.
The castle lies at an important point where, during the Middle Ages and even later, various borders crossed. There are a few strategic advantages to its position: a naturally formed rock prominence on which the castle is built; the river Drava with the traffic going on which had to be controlled as well as the passage across the river.
Until 1620, the castle was the property of the Herbersteins, and from 1639 on, the Thurns were the owners. Most probably it was during that time that the casstle was adapted to the then living standards, and the arcade corridors were built.
In 1952 it was renovated and it became a restaurant. The business grew and in 1972 the restaurant turned into a hotel. Unfortunately, reconstruction and renovation works were too often carried out in a reckless way, funds for its complete renovation were never sufficient, and therefore the castle slowly deteriorated. When in 1981 high waters swept away the bridge across the river Drava, the hotel was simply shut down.
The castle is closed at the moment, so you can see it only from the outside. But there are some ways to come in the castle (for example by crawling under the main door :)
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Orpheus monument
Carnival street decoration
St. George Parish Church (Ptuj, Slovenia)
Orpheus Monument (Ptujj, Slovenia)
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