From the Middle Ages on, the Three Ponds were used to fill the moat around the city walls with water. In 1872, they also became the central point around which City Park began to develop. Today, City Park is the largest green area in the centre of Maribor and comprises the park itself, the Three Ponds, and the hills Kalvarija and Piramida.
Kalvarja is a popular trekking destination for locals. Rising above the town, it offers one of the best views of Maribor. One way to reach the top is to walk up the 455 stone steps. Another way leads up from the City Park. In 1683, the people of Maribor erected Stations of the Cross along this path to express their gratitude at the end of the plague. The Church of St. Barbara was built atop of Kalvarija at the same time.
City Park is protected as a landscape monument. Some trees in the park are over 140 years old, and the ponds are home to a number of bird and fish species. After the Second World War, an aquarium-terrarium opened in the park as well. With over 170 different species, the aquarium has even made it on the list of the most important zoos and aquariums in Europe. Next to the Three Ponds is the oldest inn in Maribor, Pri treh ribnikih, which opened in 1825.
