Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

The cathedral occupies Slomšek Square, surrounded by university buildings and the city hall. The exterior is predominantly Gothic, with an elongated 14th-century chancel and a 15th-century central nave. The 57 m classicist bell tower dates to the late 18th century, replacing an earlier 76 m tower struck by lightning.

Inside, Gothic vaults meet Baroque decoration. The presbytery is the most valuable section: 1771 choir stalls by carver Josef Holzinger feature gilded reliefs depicting scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist. In 1891 the cathedral underwent re-Gothicization – new consoles with prophet busts, baldachins, and statues of 10 apostles and evangelists by Jacob Gschiel of Graz. The Baroque chapels of St. Francis Xavier (with an early 18th-century veduta of Maribor) and the Holy Cross survive from earlier renovations.

The cathedral houses the remains of Blessed Anton Martin Slomšek – the bishop who transferred the diocesan seat from Sankt Andrä to Maribor in 1859 and became a champion of Slovenian culture. On the exterior walls, historical tombstones relocated from the interior during the 1885–1886 restoration are set into the stonework. Stained-glass windows from various periods create a subdued, multicolored light inside the nave.

Age – founded in the late 12th century, rebuilt in the 14th, 15th, 18th, and 19th centuries

Bell tower – 57 m, classicist style, late 18th century, visible from across the city center

Choir stalls – 1771, gilded reliefs depicting scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist

Slomšek's remains – Blessed Anton Martin Slomšek, the first Slovenian to be beatified

Architectural blend – Romanesque fragments, Gothic vaults, Baroque chapels, and Neo-Gothic restoration

The Parish Church of St. John the Baptist was founded in the first half of the 12th century as a Romanesque basilica. Gothic rib vaults and an elongated choir were added in the 14th century, side naves in the 15th. In the 18th century, Baroque chapels of St. Francis Xavier and the Holy Cross were annexed. From its founding until 1506, Styrian princes were the church's patrons; from 1506 to 1786, it belonged to the Diocese of Gurk.

In 1859, Bishop Anton Martin Slomšek transferred the seat of the Lavant Diocese from Sankt Andrä to Maribor, elevating the church to cathedral status. For this occasion, the interior was refreshed in Neo-Gothic style – Johann Max Tendler from Graz spent half a year painting Gothic tracery on the walls. In 1886, old tombstones were moved from the interior to the exterior walls. Since 1962, the building has served as the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Maribor. Blessed Slomšek was beatified in 1999.

In Maribor center:

The cathedral is on Slomškov trg in the very center of town. 10-minute walk from the main train station. 5-minute walk from the Lent District and Old Vine.

From Ljubljana:

– Train SŽ – 2–2.5 hours, ~€13 ($14)

– FlixBus – from €7 ($8)

– By car via A1 – 1.5 hours, vignette required

Parking in the center – paid street zones (€1–1.5/hour) or underground garages.

Season: year-round. The cathedral is open daily.

Time of day: mornings are quieter with fewer visitors. Daylight through stained glass is best in the first half of the day.

Duration: 20–30 minutes.

Avoid: mass times (usually morning services) if your goal is sightseeing.