Knock-out: Maribor vs. Guimar�es

On the eve of their inaugeration, we compare the two new European Cities of Culture 2012

Featured November 11 Words by Sarah Warwick/Jonathan Knott
Knock-out: Maribor vs. Guimar�es

Maribor: "the jewel of Slovenia"

Matjaz Latin, theatre and film director

"I love Maribor, especially its peculiarities and its people. It has an industrial past and a great cultural future. Its location is perfect, too: we are close to the mountains, countryside and coast."

Must see

"The city's Mestni Park is a real paradise, especially in summer, when there are workshops for children and great concerts. There's a really positive vibe from morning right through to evening." maribor-pohorje.si

Claims to fame

LARGEST SKI RESORT IN SLOVENIA!
WORLD'S OLDEST VINE!
VINAG WINE CELLAR: 5.5M LITRES OF WINE!

Famous faces

ARCHDUKE JOHANN - 19TH CENTURY PHILANTHROPIST
DANILO TURK - CURRENT PRESIDENT
ZLATKO ZAHOVIC - FOOTBALLER

Must do

"The Lent Festival in summer has outstanding concerts and street theatre. It's the most social event of the year. Music lovers should visit the Maribor Festival in September, and in October the town hosts the Bor�nik theatre festival."

Party here

"Tildo's (13 Slom�kov Trg, Maribor; tel: +386 (0)41 796 964), opposite the National Theatre, is my second home. It's always full of actors, artists and musicians."

Eat this

PICKLED CHEESE "Try it at Rozmarin (8 Gosposka Ulica, Maribor; rozmarin.si), which has a good, affordable mix of Mediterranean and traditional Slovenian food and wine."

Need to know

POPULATION: 157,947
LOCALS WHO FEEL SAFE WALKING AT NIGHT: 89%
FLY TO: LJUBLANA (85 MINUTES AWAY)

Cost of visit

HOTEL, DOUBLE ROOM �80 | MEAL FOR TWO �34
THEATRE PERFORMANCE �17
BOTTLE OF WINE �16 | BUS TICKET �1.10

Guimar�es: "the cradle of Portugal"

Jos� Bastos, director of the Vila Flor Cultural Centre

"It's exciting to be part of the urban renewal in this city of extraordinary heritage. Half the population of Guimar�es is under 30, which brings a creative energy that shows up in every corner of town."

Must see

"The UNESCO World Heritage city centre and the ancient Cit�nia de Briteiros site, about 15km away, are must sees, as is Penha Mountain and the cable car that carries you to the top." guimaraesturismo.com

Claims to fame

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE!
FIRST CITY FOUNDED IN PORTUGAL!
HOSTS MAJOR JAZZ FESTIVAL IN NOVEMBER!

Famous faces

KING ALONSO I - FIRST KING OF PORTUGAL
FRANCISCO MARTINS SARMENTO - EARLY ARCHAEOLOGIST
ELISABETE MATOS - OPERA SINGER

Must do

"The Vila Flor Cultural Centre (701 Avenida D Afonso Henriques; ccvf.pt) for exhibitions and performances, and the beautiful Alberto Sampaio Museum (Rua Alfredo Guim�raes; masampaio.imc-ip.pt) for art and local history."

Party here

"The historical centre is where locals and visitors gather. Projecto Bar (in Parque das Hortas) near the Guimar�es cable way, hosts DJ sessions and live music."

Eat this

TRIPE IN PORT "Try it at S�o Gi�o (Avenida Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas, Moreira de C�negos: tel: +351 (0)253 561 853). It has a creative menu and exceptional wine cellar."