Kamnica lies on the left bank of the Drava, where vineyards meet the hilly Kozjak. The area offers a range of things to explore, including the architectural history of St. Martin’s Church, trails along the Kamniški potok and the hill of Sveti Urban with its wine-growing tradition. When planning your stay, you can decide which of these to focus on according to your interests.
Church Art from Several Periods
St. Martin’s Church is first mentioned towards the end of the 11th century. It was completely Baroque in style during a renovation that began in 1743, while Gothic architectural elements remain visible on the exterior. The Baroque interior includes wall paintings by Georg Raffa and Anton Lerchinger, as well as altars, a pulpit and an oratory by Jožef Holzinger. Different periods of design thus come together in the same church, but its early mention should not be confused with the construction date of the present building.
Kamnica’s rectory also has its own historical details: it contains a Baroque fresco depicting a bagpiper. Its construction phases are dated to 1696, 1818 and 1829. Kamnica is also mentioned in written sources from 1093 in connection with the Kamniški potok, which appears there as “torrentem Gêmnitz”.
Trails and Water along the Kamniški potok
A trail along the Kamniški potok leads to its confluence with the Drava. Babja kopel, a pool with rapids, lies just before the confluence. Huzarjev skok on the Kamniški potok is accessible on foot and by bicycle. These named spots offer different points of reference for planning: the confluence provides a clear destination for the trail, while Babja kopel is described as a pool with rapids.
Above Kamnica, a short trail also leads to mysterious rock formations in the forest. The trail is suitable for children and offers a beautiful view of the Drava. This provides another explicitly short hiking option alongside the trails by the stream.
Sveti Urban: Wine Tradition and Views
Sveti Urban is a popular hiking destination with a wine-growing tradition and the church of sv. Urbana. Several trails lead up the hill, including the “Trim pot” and the route via Medič; from there, you can enjoy a view of Maribor. A paved road also leads to Sveti Urban, making it easy to reach by car and well suited to cyclists. Road conditions can change, so check them before setting out on a specific trip.
Those choosing between hiking trails will find several different descriptions here rather than one single, uniform route: several trails and a road connection are mentioned for Sveti Urban, while the trail along the Kamniški potok leads to its confluence with the Drava. Another short trail above Kamnica is also suitable for families with children. Details such as length, destination and accessibility apply to each trail as described.
Mariborski otok: Nature and Protected Status
Mariborski otok is a natural island in the Drava, Slovenia’s largest river island and the country’s only island that is not typically covered in gravel. Nature on the island is protected by local and numerous national regulations; the outdoor swimming pool has been declared a cultural monument. A nature trail runs along the edge of the island. The outdoor swimming pool operates seasonally, during the summer. If its opening is important to your plans, check its current operating status before visiting.
Wine Tastings and Other Activities
At the Open Cellars Day in Kamnica, visitors can visit nine winemakers for a fee for the glass and taste at least three wines. Event dates and details may vary from one edition to the next, so check the date of the specific event before planning your trip.
At Hipodrom Kamnica, members of the public can hire horses to ride or to learn riding skills. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, check availability before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Limbuš, Fram, Starše, Malečnik, Loka, Pernica, Spodnje Hoče, Dobrovce.
For the wider travel overview: Maribor.
