Old Vine House

The Old Vine House stands on the bank of the Drava in the Lent district of Maribor, Slovenia's second city, and it is home to what is recognised as the oldest vine in the world that still bears fruit. The vine is a variety called Žametovka, known locally as modra kavčina, which produces a dark, sweet grape, and it is more than four hundred years old. It clings to the front of a house that was once part of the medieval town wall, its thick, twisted trunk supported by wooden props and its branches trained across the facade, and each autumn it still produces a small harvest. It has survived wars, floods, disease and the vine pest that destroyed much of Europe's vineyards in the nineteenth century, and it has become a symbol of the city.

Inside the house, a small museum tells the story of the vine and of winegrowing in the Maribor area. There are displays of tools, bottles and documents, and an animated film explains the vine's history, while a collection of objects illustrates how the people of Lent lived and worked. Lent was the old river quarter of the city, a lively district of boatmen, raftsmen, millers and merchants, and the house is placed in the middle of it. Visitors can taste the wines of the region, which in this part of Styria are mostly fresh whites, and traditional dishes are available, so the visit can combine learning with a meal.

The house is also the centre of a number of annual events that celebrate the vine. The pruning of the oldest vine in late winter is a ceremony attended by the mayor and local winegrowers, the Festival of the Oldest Vine in autumn marks the harvest, and the feast of St Martin in November, when new wine is blessed, is celebrated across Slovenia. Each year the grapes are picked and made into a small amount of wine, bottled in limited quantities and given as a gift to guests of the city, and the descendants of the vine have been planted in other cities around the world.

The house is a good starting point for exploring Maribor. The Drava River Promenade runs along the water in front of it, the Lent district has cafes, galleries and festival stages, and the Judgement Tower, Freedom Square Maribor, Maribor Castle and Maribor Art Gallery are all within walking distance. Calvary Hill (Kalvarija) offers a viewpoint over the city. It is best to check opening hours and tasting arrangements in advance.