Start of the Crown hunt, Maribor, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Maribor Castle (Mariborski grad) stands on Grajska ulica at the edge of the old town in Maribor, Slovenia. It is a former fortress turned noble residence, and today it houses the Regional Museum Maribor, which tells the story of Slovenian Styria from prehistory onward. It is also the starting point of the Crowns of Maribor quest.

The story behind it

The castle began as a defensive stronghold in the 15th century, close to the town walls. Over the centuries it stopped being a fortress and became a residence. Its owners changed, and each generation altered and added to the building, which is why it mixes styles rather than keeping one look.

Today the castle is best known for its richly decorated interior, above all the grand staircase, a showpiece of 18th-century decorative art. The Regional Museum Maribor fills its rooms with collections that follow the history of the Styria region through the ages. Look out for the golden crown on the facade, a curious detail for a building that was home to nobles rather than royalty.

What to look for

• The golden crown on the facade, which gives the Crowns of Maribor quest its theme and is easy to miss if you only glance up.
• The ornate staircase inside, one of the castle's best-known artistic features.
• The mix of building styles in the walls and courtyard, a sign of how many times the castle was changed and extended.
• The way the castle sits beside the old town, with the main square and the Drava embankment within an easy walk.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 20 to 30 minutes for the exterior and courtyard, and longer if you plan to go through the museum rooms.
• The castle houses a museum, so you can go inside to see the collections; check current opening hours before you go.
• Morning or late afternoon light is gentler for photographing the facade and its details.
• The old town, the main square and the riverside are close by, so the castle works well as the first stop of a longer walk.

See it on a quest

Crowns of Maribor begins here, so you reach the castle on foot as the first stop of a longer route through the city. The app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle on the spot using what is in front of you. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group, so you can start whenever suits you, with no guide and no set departure time.