The Drava river is the heart of Maribor. In times past it protected the town, sometimes even divided it - but today it firmly binds it together. It has always been a link between Maribor and Carinthia, Pohorje and Kozjak to the west and throughout the centuries Ptuj, Varazdin and even Belgrade to the east. With a river-bed of 720 km the river Drava is one of the longest rivers in Europe. The river runs for some 102 km through Slovenia.
A thousand years ago two ecclesiastical authorities divided Maribor - Salzburg with Piramida and Kalvarija, and Aquilea with the Pohorje mansion. The border between them was the river Drava. In 1220 the first bridge was built across the Drava and until then the only means of crossing the river was with a ferry. River traffic already began to develop in the old Roman times when various types of Roman shipping navigated the river and there was a registered harbour in Ptuj, the then Poetovia.
Once the Drava was an important trading artery. In the time when its importance was not affected by the railroads timber, fruit and wine were transported by rafts. Rafting was one of the most important economic activities: a document dated 1280 belonging to Oto Velikovec shows that in Velikovec he introduced a toll on empty barrels being transported down the river - proving that at that time rafting was a profitable business. The rafts were called "sajke" and they could each transport 60m3 of timber at one time. These rafts were later replaced with bigger rafts called "italijancki" that could carry a greater cargo. Due to the brisk river traffic life on the banks of the river also unfurled. In the then Maribor a large harbour for rafts developed called "Lentstatt". Today the name of the most beautiful part of Maribor - Lent or Pristan - reminds us of the old harbour. Other economic fields such as catering, trading and warehousing blossomed along the river. A part of the harbour stretched out far into the river Drava, so much so that the town also had its own little Venice. The whole of the Drava valley lived off the rafting trade and thus the abandonment of this activity after the second World War badly affected a large number of the town and the Drava valley inhabitants. Thus, in the course of time completely different trades developed. The leather, meat and blacksmith trades were among the first and later went on to grow into strong industries.
Special mention must be given to the role of the river Drava during the Turkish siege. With its deep and rapidly flowing waters it on several occasions unmercifully and cunningly prevented land hungry Turks from continuing their path of conquest, and it defended the town against destruction.
It was the post war economic development strategy that caused the wild current of the Drava river to slow down. Hydro-power stations were built in many places along the river and the once fast, dangerous and bold river today quietly flows from one dam to another, its tamed stream spilling into the many canals and backwaters of the "old river-bed".
The unforgettable ferry, which for a long time was the only link between the left and right banks of the river, was replaced by bridges. The famous first bridge over the river Drava was erected in the 13th century. It was a wooden construction which succumbed to the tooth of time in 1913. It's substitute was a stronger construction called the "Old bridge" and it is weathering time still today. Later in 1847 it was joined by the railway bridge - a part of the famous "rail road". The bridge for pedestrians in the Studenci suburb of Maribor, the New Bridge (Novi most) a dual carriage transit modern traffic artery towards the east, and the Carinthia (Koroski) Bridge have relieved the hustle and bustle of modern town traffic.
Zealous inhabitants of Maribor, especially environmentalists, wish to bring life back to the river Drava. By using modern ecological measures they are succeeding to clear the water and to clean its dams, despite the ongoing traditional industries. The new town decree on river navigation allows boating; yachtsmen and river surfboarders can test themselves against the river winds, and here too the town "rafters" can also enjoy themselves.
The traditional Festival Lent, which has gained fame also abroad, takes place annually in Maribor along the left bank of the river Drava. This almost month long cultural and entertainment event is officially opened with the traditional Rafters christening, when all those who wish to know what rafters did in days gone by can sail from Koblar bay to town. This intriguing, unforgettable summer tourist attraction is just one of many events that escorts the quiet waves of the Drava river.
The tamed, inviting and soothing river Drava today lazily bends its way past both banks which are attractive refuges for fishermen, poets, sportsmen, those seeking recreation and for walkers. A number of restaurants and pubs with good national, European or even world wide culinary specialities invite local and foreign visitors to experience unforgettable romantic suppers. For the more adventurous free time can be spent recreating in one of the sports centres or clubs.
Viewing collections in one of the many art galleries, resting with a cup of coffee or cake in one of the coffee houses or just admiring a view out over the Drava river, at any time of year, is an experience that will not be forgotten quickly.
Only in Maribor is the Drava so unique, beautiful and unforgettable..