The Old Vine
Branches run 15 m along the house front.
Jernej Furman from Maribor, Slovenia — CC BY 2.0 · Szilas — CC BY 4.0 · Szilas — CC BY 4.0 · Szilas — CC BY 4.0 · Szilas — CC BY 4.0
The Old Vine grows on a house front in Lent, the old quarter of Maribor stretching along the bank of the Drava. Estimated at about 440 years old, it was entered in the Guinness World Records in 2004 as the oldest vine in the world, and it is the best-known stop on this riverfront. Its trunk measures 25 cm across and divides at a height of two metres into horizontal branches reaching 15 m along a trellis in front of the house. It is one of the oldest native varieties in Slovenia, known as Žametna črnina. Researchers dated it by taking samples and examining them under a microscope, and both house and vine are protected as a local cultural monument. Around the vine, Lent spreads out with red roofs, cafes and a riverside walkway, passing beneath the stone arches of a viaduct and within sight of an arched steel bridge. Nearby Židovska ulica, Jewish Street, is worth a look, and crossing the footbridge gives you the whole quarter from the opposite bank, best towards sunset. The quarter lies about 103.6 km from Ljubljana and 22.8 km from Ptuj Castle in a straight line. You can see the vine free from the street at any time, and it looks its best in summer when the leaves are out. The house keeps its own opening hours, so check ahead if you want to go inside.
Branches run 15 m along the house front.
Cafes and red roofs along the river.
The whole quarter seen from the far bank.
Vojašniška ulica 8, Lent, Maribor, Slovenia
Guinness World Records listed it as such in 2004, and its age is estimated at about 440 years.
Summer, when it is in full leaf. In winter you see only the bare frame of branches.