Small church at the summit of Pekrska Gorca

Pekrska gorca is a modest wooded hill of about 350 metres on the western edge of Maribor, at the foot of the Pohorje, and the small church at its top is the goal of most of the walks that start in the neighbourhood of Pekre. The summit gives a wide outlook over the Drava plain and the city below, and on the other side the forested ridges of the Pohorje rise behind the hill. For the people of Maribor it is a local excursion rather than a major sight, a place for a Sunday walk, an after-work run or a short pilgrimage, and the combination of a quiet church and an open view explains its steady popularity.

The church is a small building in the style of many hilltop chapels in the Štajerska region, whitewashed, with a modest bell tower, standing in a clearing at the top of the hill. Churches on summits like this were built over centuries as places of devotion visible from the surrounding villages, and many became goals for annual pilgrimages and processions on the feast days of their patron saints. Services are held here from time to time, and the local parish looks after the building. The interior is simple, with a few altars and devotional pictures, and the real attraction is the setting more than the architecture.

The approach is part of the experience. A Way of the Cross, a path marked by small chapels that represent the stations of the Passion, climbs the slope from the foot of the hill, and the stations give the walk a rhythm that suits quiet reflection. Several chapels along the way have been renovated by volunteers and the parish. The path leads through meadows and woods and reaches the summit in a little under an hour at a relaxed pace, and other trails come up from different sides, so that a round trip can be varied. The slopes also hold vineyards and farms, typical of the hills around Maribor.

The hill has a sporting story as well. In the second half of the twentieth century a ski jump stood on its slope, and competitions were held there in the years after the Second World War. Traces of the old foundations can still be found, a reminder of a time when ski jumping drew crowds on the edge of the city. Today the hill is a place for walking, cycling and running, with views that are best on clear days after rain.

The church suits walkers, families, pilgrims and anyone looking for a short escape from the city with a view. Wear sturdy shoes, since paths can be muddy, bring water, and visit respectfully if a service is under way. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons.