8. 10. 2025–12. 10. 2025 Architecture in transformation: Račji dvor between history and the future 

Architecture in transformation: Račji dvor between history and the future 
8–12 October 2025

The Maribor Art Gallery, in cooperation with the Municipality of Maribor, Biotechnical School Maribor, Department of Architecture at the University of Maribor, and Studio Arhisol invites you to a two-day autumn event at Račji dvor. The Municipality of Maribor has prepared a plan to revitalize the city’s hills, architecture students from the University of Maribor have explored the main opportunities offered by this unique location, and young architects have created artistic interventions in the space. We invite you to exchange ideas and socialize. Let’s meet at Račji dvor!

This event is part of the European project reCITYing. Reactivating Abandoned Spaces in Urban Centers with Architecture and Art, which brings together partners from Maribor, Genoa, Barcelona, Hanover, and Montpellier, and is co-financed by the European Union. The project aims to promote diverse creative practices and activities that support the reuse and reactivation of abandoned, empty, and inaccessible spaces in urban centers.

All events are free of charge. You are welcome to join us!

Wednesday, 8 October 2025
15:00–17:00
Maribor Art Gallery, Strossmayerjeva ulica 6

Round table: The future of Račji dvor
Račji dvor, a former Benedictine commercial estate with a thousand-year history and a unique location beneath the city's wine-growing hills, is now mainly used as occasional storage space. A small vernacular cottage in its hinterland, reminiscent of plans to establish an open-air museum, is left to slowly decay. On the green edge of the city, the manor and Wagner's house offer food for thought about their reactivation and integration into public life. We will talk to those who inhabit this unique architectural heritage, protect it, seek opportunities in it, and plan its future. We invite you to join the conversation and exchange ideas.

Guest speakers: 
- Saša Arsenovič, Mayor of the Municipality of Maribor 
- dr. Vinko Logaj, Minister of Education and Science (invited)
- Anton Krajnc, Principal of the Maribor Biotechnical School 
- Representative of the Benedictine Priory of Maribor (invited)
- Stojan Skalicky, Architect 
- Suzana Vešligaj, Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage – Maribor Regional Unit
Moderated by: Simona Vidmar Čelik, UGM Director

Thursday, 9 October 2025
16:00–20:00
Račji dvor, Raški dol 1

→ 16:00
Opening of the architectual and artistic interventions for Račji dvor 
Join us for the opening and presentation of artistic interventions at Račji dvor. We invite you to meet and talk with the authors of the interventions, selected by an international jury as part of the European project reCITYing. Ishak Hadžibajrić, Žiga Miholič, Maša Perc, and Lena Uranjek will be with us to guide us through a labyrinth of experiences and structures. 
The presentation will be moderated by Živa Kleindienst and Tina Rudolf.

• Where Are You Hidding, Račji dvor?, authors: Lena Uranjek and Ishak Hadžibajrić 
  The young architectural team from Maribor and Sarajevo intervenes the Račji dvor estate with their artistic intervention in a lyrical and playful manner. Sheets stretched across main spots surrounding the mansion form an interactive map that invites adults passing by to explore the space and younger visitors to play hide and seek. The rows of white sheets serve as both a visual and physical barrier, obscuring the view while inviting passage; they are tactile elements that evoke memories of summer days spent outdoors and childlike playfulness. Equipped with pictograms and historical facts, they form a dynamic border around the mansion. Our usual walk under Kalvarija is transformed into an experience of play and playfulness.
  
  
• Palette of Activities 638 497/3, authors: Maša Perc and Žiga Miholič
  Two young Maribor residents, both architecture students, focus their intervention on the area around Račji dvor and the activities most commonly practiced there—walking, running, and relaxing in nature. The walk from the city center to Mitnica, along the tree-lined avenue, past Račji dvor and under Kalvarija back to the city park is a Maribor "classic." By placing wooden elements on the lawn and a sports surface on the concrete platform in front of the mansion, the authors invite visitors to the temporary outdoor gym and one of the most beautiful and relaxing areas of the estate.
  
  The installations will be on display until Sunday, 12 October 2025. 

→ 17:00–18:00
Student spatial strategies and ideas for Račji dvor
Architectural and urban planning workshop
The Department of Architecture at the University of Maribor joined in the discussion about Račji dvor. Under the mentorship of Melita Rozman Cafuta, PhD and Stojan Skalicky, architecture students in the Spatial Strategies and Urban Development course considered the potential of the wider Račji dvor area and its integration into the urban structure and public programs. At the workshop, students will present their visions, and you will have the opportunity to learn about different perspectives on the area, participate in the discussion, and contribute your opinions and experiences. You are invited to join the creative dialogue between spatial planners, students, and the community!
The presentation will be moderated by Melita Rozman Cafuta, PhD and Stojan Skalicky; the exhibition is curated by Melita Rozman Cafuta, PhD, Tina Rudolf, and Stojan Skalicky.

→ 18:00–19:00
A walk through the history of Račji dvor with Boris Hajdinjak 
Boris Hajdinjak, a well-known Maribor historian and Director of the Maribor Synagogue, will guide you through the exciting history of the mansion below Kalvarija – from Benedictine property to the restaurant known for tasty pork knuckles.
                                                                                    
→ 16:00–20:00
Get-together with bubbles and music
We invite you to an autumn gathering under the mighty linden tree in front of Račji dvor. 

program concept: Simona Vidmar Čelik, Stojan Skalicky, Tina Rudolf, Živa Kleindienst
production: Maribor Art Gallery
programme partner: Municipality of Maribor
in collaboration with: Maribor Biotechnical School, Department of Architecture FGPA University of Maribor, Studio Arhisol 

The program was made possible by Creative Europe programme of the European Comission with the support of the Ministry of Culture. 

In case of bad weather, the Thursday programme will be postponed to another date!
All events are free of charge. You are welcome to join us!