On the initiative of the Styrian Aviation Association, the hot-air balloon named "Erzherzogin Margarete" (Archduchess Margarete) arrived in Maribor by train on 8 June 1912.
A livestock fair next to the city abattoir was designated as a 'ballooning base', and a special gas pipe was installed to connect the site with the gas works. At 10 a.m. on the following day the assistants on the ground started to untie the ropes to the sounds of music played by a military band and loud cheering of the gathered Mariborians. However, on one side the ropes were released too late and the balloon began drifting towards a nearby tree. To the horror of everyone present, the gondola carrying the pilot, First Lieutenant Max Macher, and four passengers got tangled into the canopy of a tree nearby, and only the First Lieutenant's skills and quick reaction prevented the Margarete's first Maribor flight from ending tragically. After that attempt, the Archduchess Margarete rose a few more times into the skies of Maribor, and also the townspeople were invited to go on a ride. The interest in ballooning was enormous among local men, but also women. Moreover, ladies seemed to be even more fascinated by the fearless and handsome First Lieutenant Macher then flying itself.
This might explain why after a while the Maribor gentlemen refused to go on a ride together with ladies. The resulting disagreements and arguments became so fierce that in mid-August all further flights were cancelled. The balloon was transported back to Vienna where the Margarete witnessed World War I.
Corner of Ulica heroja Šaranoviča and Plinarniška ulica, near the Košaki Meat Center
2000 Maribor
