In the Western part of the City Park, the so called »New Park«, which is located to the left of today's Promenade, the first trees were planted between 1889 and 1896. Apart from the large central clearing, the most prominent feature of this section of the Park is undoubtedly the Rose Hill (Rožni grič or "Roznhil" in Mariborian dialect), artificially created around 1896. There are several explanations where the material to build the hill came from.
According to the least plausible, yet the most romantic and fairy-tale like version, a tree, long cherished by old Mariborians, used to grow in the vicinity. People brought the best soil in containers and bags to make sure the tree would continue to flourish, and allegedly that's how our Rose Hill was created.
According to a different version, five railway wagons of rock were donated to build the hill by the civil engineer Derwuschek. In another story the Rose Hill was built from the rubble after the former Spital was demolished to make space for the main Post Office building in Slomškov Square. To this day we do not know which story is correct. In any case, the soil was covered with turf, and on top of the hill a metal fence was installed with benches and a rose gazebo - hence the name.
The Rose Hill soon became a popular meeting spot for young lovers. Apart from the wrought iron balustrade and the benches, there are still two iron pillars at the top of the hill, which is what remains from the city's former lighting system.
Roznhil (in the City Park)
