Maribor Stories: Ljudski Vrt reveals a lesser-known chapter in the history of the site now occupied by the city's football stadium. Before the grandstands, this was Maribor's old town cemetery, established following the reforms of Emperor Joseph II in 1783. It served residents of the town and suburbs on the left bank of the Drava. In 1827, a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows was built, with a large cross nearby.
In 1868, a separate section was designated for Protestant burials, alongside the Catholic cemetery. The boundary was marked by the unusual grave of the Renner couple. Konrad was Protestant and his wife Jožefa Catholic, so they were buried on opposite sides of the fence. A single cross stood above their graves, bearing an inscription about their bond despite the religious divide.
Burials continued until 1914, and existing family tombs remained in use until 1925. In 1930, the city decided to close the cemetery. Families could transfer remains and monuments to Pobrežje Cemetery at their own expense. The story reveals a forgotten layer of the place now associated with Maribor football.