The Drava River has shaped the development of Maribor for centuries. Its left bank is home to Lent, once a busy landing place for rafts carrying timber and other goods downstream. Today the historic waterfront offers walking paths, city landmarks and views of the bridges, including the modern Splavarska Brv footbridge.
The river can also be explored from the water. Traditional timber-raft trips keep the stories of the old raftsmen alive, while walking and cycling routes follow the banks. From Lent, the Raftsmen’s Educational Trail runs past Koblarjev zaliv towards Maribor Island. The wider Maribor Lake area also offers a range of water activities.
The Drava is more than a chapter of city history. Its banks, floodplain forests, old river channels and waterside habitats support many birds, fish and other species. Part of the river corridor east of Maribor belongs to the Natura 2000 network. The contrast between the lively city waterfront and natural river landscapes gives the Drava its distinctive character in Maribor.