Ljubljana Slovenia attractions on the map. Ljubljana: attractions of the capital of Slovenia
In this article I will tell you about Ljubljana, the capital of the small European country of Slovenia. So that you can appreciate the scale, I will say that the area of Slovenia is 4 times smaller than the area Leningrad region, and the population of the entire country is about two million people. The capital is home to 260 thousand people. For Slovenia, Ljubljana is of course the center of business and cultural activity, but you should not compare this city with St. Petersburg or Moscow, its scale is much smaller.
Compared to the coastal cities of Slovenia, Ljubljana is simply huge and completely different. The coastal cities we visited earlier (,) were strongly influenced by Italy and Venice in particular, but the center of the country is much more Slavic and Slovenian. We can say that only in Ljubljana we finally came close to a purely Slovenian flavor with a German accent, because Ljubljana was under Habsburg rule for about 700 years. The city even had German name Laibach, now almost forgotten.
In Ljubljana there are strong earthquakes. The most destructive earthquakes occurred in 1511 and 1895. After the first, the city was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, and after the second in the Art Nouveau style. So we can say that the Habsburgs and earthquakes largely determined the modern face of the capital of Slovenia. Slovenia became an independent state in 1991, before which it was a republic within Yugoslavia.
Our acquaintance with Ljubljana took place in mid-July, the weather suddenly deteriorated and we decided to spend time on educational tourism. During cold weather, exploring cities is much more pleasant than during sweltering heat. We left the village of Saint-Lazaretto on the Adriatic coast and in just over an hour we reached the capital of Slovenia. On the coast it was +19ºС and cloudy, but in Ljubljana it was only +16ºС. Ljubljana is located in a mountain valley, 298m above sea level, and it is cooler there than on the shore. But this is only our special case; in summer in Ljubljana it often reaches over 30ºС, if the sun comes out the heat is guaranteed.
Of course, on a sunny day the photos would look better, but the weather is not in our control. We visited the city on Saturday, because we had heard a lot about the Saturday market in Ljubljana and examined Ljubljana Castle in detail, so my article will be more about the market and Ljubljana Castle, we didn’t go to Tivoli Park and the zoo, we just didn’t have time and the weather let us down .
There are many underground parking lots in the city, the cost is about 1.7-2 € per hour, and Ljubljana is so small that we walked from Republic Square to Ljubljana Castle in 20 minutes, slowly and actively looking around.
It so happened that we began our exploration of Ljubljana from the very communist square of the city, which turned out to be Republic Square. The square contains a monument to the Uprising against the Occupiers, the Ljubljana Palace of Congresses and an extensive cultural center. All buildings are modern. Slovenians happily celebrate May 9 and interpret this date as the day of liberation from fascism, unlike some countries in Eastern Europe.
Monumental portal on the Parliament building (1954-1956) Ljubljana
The next square on our way was Congress Square; its architecture reminds me very much of Vienna. It was named after the 1821 Congress held in Ljubljana. The historical congress was attended by the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, the Russian Tsar Alexander I, the King of Naples, and Metternich, the Chancellor of Austria. The building of the University of Ljubljana was where the independence of Slovenia was declared in 1991.
University of Ljubljana building The Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1701, operates in the Philharmonic building. Among the honorary members are such names as Haydn, Paganini, Brahms, Beethoven.
Philharmonic The Ursuline Church, with its facade overlooking Congress Square, does not at all resemble a church; the domes and crosses are almost hidden from view, and the facade resembles an ordinary residential building or public building.
Ursuline Church of the Holy Trinity Our Sberbank operates in Slovenia; its office is located right in the building overlooking Congress Square.
Our Sberbank has a representative office in Ljubljana Literally from Congress Square we walked out onto the Ljubljanica embankment - the main river artery of the capital of Slovenia. The spirit of Austria is much less noticeable on the embankment, it is more lively, relaxed and cozy.
Embankment of the Ljubljanica River Pleasure boats sail along the river, cost river walk 8€, the boat will take you around the city and even a little outside the city, since Ljubljana is a small city.
Ljubljanica River There, behind the house, there is a mountain on which Ljubljana Castle stands - an ancient castle.
Ljubljanica embankment Between the First and Second World Wars, Joži Plečnik breathed new life into the architecture of the city, many beautiful buildings and bridges were built under his strict leadership.
And here is the famous Triple Bridge of Ljubljana. If you look from above, there are actually three bridges, it’s just that at first one bridge was built in 1842, after a while they decided that it was very narrow and needed to be widened, they didn’t want to demolish the old bridge and the famous Slovenian architect Joži Plečnik suggested building bridges on the sides existing, and this is how the most popular bridge in Ljubljana turned out.
Triple bridge Near the Triple Bridge is Prešeren Square, named after the national poet of Slovenia Franz Prešeren (1800-1849). This is the most central place, almost like Palace Square in St. Petersburg. The Franciscan Church of the Annunciation is decorated in Baroque style and is very beautiful from the inside.
Franciscan Church of the Annunciation There is a monument to Prešeren on Prešeren Square, it was erected in 1905, the square was then called the Square of Our Lady and the sculpture of the poet’s naked muse caused an explosion of Puritan indignation...
Monument to Prešeren On the building of the first department store there is a banner in six languages: “Sale!”, in Cyrillic it is written: “Reduction!”, Google translation in action. The ancient Roman god of commerce, Mercury, decorates the store.
Centromerkur - the first city department store (1903) It turns out that Ljubljana has become a locomotive of concrete construction; the famous Dragon Bridge was created from concrete in 1901. Dragons are the symbols of Ljubljana; their image appears on the city's coat of arms. Later we also visited, in this Polish city they also pay tribute to the dragon; a sculpture of a fire-breathing dragon stands on the banks of the Vistula. Dragons are used in coats of arms European countries and Russia.
City symbol Ljubljana dragon on the Dragon Bridge 
Palace of the Seminary Saturday market in Ljubljana
We love visiting markets; the market can sometimes tell much more about life in the city than all the attractions. It's always interesting to find out what they sell there and how much. The Saturday market is located on two adjacent squares between the Triple Bridge and the Dragon Bridge, almost at the very foot of Ljubljana Castle. This is the very center of the city; you probably won’t be able to get around this place in Ljubljana.
Market on the square, St. Nicholas Cathedral visible Along the Ljubljanica River there is a market building built in the mid-20th century according to the design of Jože Plečnik; inside there is a fish market and several bars. Behind this building are the market squares.
Market building in Ljubljana The fish market is much poorer. The assortment includes trout, sea bream 21€, flounder 16€, unpeeled shrimp 21€, large octopus 8€, mussels. The prices are high, pike at 20€ per kilo surprised us. In St. Petersburg, pike is considered one of the cheapest fish. They don’t sell tuna at all on the market in Ljubljana. And the trout in Slovenia is river trout, not as large as ours.
Fish market Upon leaving the fish pavilion, we took part in a street food festival. It looks very uncomplicated. Cafe vans arrive on the embankment, each van places tables and benches in front of itself and begins to feed those who want it. Naturally, after visiting the fish pavilion, we wanted fish. Seafood was in demand, we had to stand in line, but no one wanted to buy American hamburgers, their tables were completely empty. The most delicious thing Slovenians make is grilled squid. The fish were small sardines and were also very tasty.
Our participation in the food festival 
Street food festival prices But fruits, vegetables and berries did not make any impression on us. Firstly, it is very expensive, cheaper than in Helsinki, but more expensive than at home and also more expensive than the same fruit in Slovenian supermarkets. Eco-products are very popular in Europe; these are those grown without the use of artificial fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Perhaps market traders are trying to sell eco-products?
Berries at the market We really didn't like Slovenian cucumbers. If the cucumbers at my dacha had become so overgrown, I would have thrown them out, but they are trying to sell them for 2 €, while what we usually eat in Slovenia is called young cucumbers and costs 4 times more. Notice the top left corner of the photo. Right next to the vegetable rows there is a clothing market, they sell things made in China, almost the entire assortment can be seen, for example, at the Kondratievsky market in St. Petersburg or in any smaller village of Len. areas.
Vegetables at the market But we really liked the milk vending machine. Instead of the lady at the barrel there is such a sophisticated box with numerical control, I wonder how economically justified such a machine is?
Milk filling and selling machine After the market we decided to climb the castle hill. The funicular is located very close to the market.
Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana Castle, the crown that dominates the city center, has graced the Slovenian capital for more than five centuries. This mighty fortress is not only a symbol of the city, the most visited attraction in Ljubljana and a green oasis in the city center, a place for various cultural events.
Ljubljana Castle on the mountain You can climb to the city itself by funicular for €2.20, one-way ticket. You can also climb on foot for free. There are family tickets for 6€. The most valuable thing about this castle is the view of the city. The castle itself was rebuilt many times and at the moment is a symbiosis of ancient walls and modern structures made of glass and concrete, it all looks very decent.
View of Ljubljana from the walls of Ljubljana Castle We all visited museums, but I can’t say that it was worth doing. I’ll still tell you about museums so that you can evaluate for yourself whether you need it or not. All exhibitions and permanent exhibitions are located in different rooms of the city, we will have to go up and down the stairs all the time, in the end we even found ourselves spinning in the small Ljubljana Castle.
Well in Ljubljana Castle There are several small museums and temporary exhibitions located on the castle grounds. Permanent exhibitions include the Puppet Museum, the interactive exhibition History of Slovenia, and the exhibition the history of Ljubljana Castle. Temporary exhibitions include an exhibition of photographs from National Geographic, an exhibition about bees, and a hall of contemporary art.
Ljubljana Castle - view from the tower Exhibition "Save the Bees"
What I found most interesting was the exhibition about bees, the ones that produce honey. There we got acquainted with Slovenian folk crafts, expressed in paintings on beehives. Before visiting Slovenia, I never suspected that mobile beehives could be used to make something worthwhile and interesting. Beehives were transported on such carts, and it was customary to draw pictures on them.
At the bee museum The posters contained photographs of people carrying such painted boxes on their backs. I didn’t find anything about these pictures in Russian; in English this painting is called Painted front boards. This folk art originated in the mid-18th century during the heyday of the Baroque in Slovenia. Now there are more than 600 motifs. Initially they depicted scenes from the Bible, then scenes from fairy tales and legends were added, then everyday scenes.
Painted front boards - Slovenian folk art Such pictures are painted on wooden boards using oil paints prepared on the basis natural dyes. On each such picture, the year is usually written, as I understand the invention of this plot. Years are written everywhere with the first letter “i” instead of “1”. Do you think this motif was invented in 1996? IN souvenir shops In Ljubljana, you can buy one of these paintings for only 13.80 €.
One of the pictures Chapel of St. George
The castle chapel of St. George (or Yuri) is one of the oldest parts of the castle. By order of the emperor, from 1489 the chapel was dedicated to St. George, St. Pancras of Rome and the Empress Helena. The chapel acquired its present appearance in 1747 and is currently enjoying fresh renovations.
Chapel of St. George (St. George) Puppet Museum in Ljubljana Castle
The children liked the museum of puppets, those that are intended for theatrical performances. Each of these dolls can be pulled by the strings, while the dragon flaps its wings, moves its paws and clicks its jaw. Puppet theater performances are an important part of Slovenian cultural heritage, as stated on the official website of Ljubljana Castle.
In the Puppet Museum, Ljubljana Castle Below is a plot almost from Pushkin’s fairy tale “About the Fisherman and the Fish”. It was interesting that the performance was based on a fairy tale by Pushkin or whether there is a similar fairy tale plot in Slovenia.
The historical exhibition largely consists of interactive screens on which you can read information about different historical periods in the development of the lands that now make up Slovenia - from the Roman Empire to the war that accompanied the collapse of Yugoslavia. Interactive stands switch to Russian.
There are not enough real exhibits. And those that exist are copies. For example, on one of the walls hangs a copy of the fresco from the Church of the Holy Trinity in Khrastovl “Dance of Death”, a very interesting subject. Or in one of the halls there is a copy of the statue “Citizen of Emona”, found on the territory of Ljubljana in 1836. The statue is 145 cm high, made of gilded bronze, and dates back to the second century AD. The original "Citizen Emona" is kept in the National Museum of Slovenia.
Citizen Emona Statue We spent two hours exploring all the museums of Ljubljana Castle; when we went down into the city, the market had already finished its work and the city had become completely deserted, perhaps because it had started to rain.
Area after end of trade We took a slightly different route back to the parking lot. In front of the town hall we saw the fountain of three rivers of Carniolia - Sava, Krka and Ljubljanica. The fountain was designed by Italian architect Francesco Roba in the Baroque style. The Fountain of the Three Rivers is clearly made in imitation of the famous Roman Fountain of the Four Rivers, installed in Piazza Navona in the 17th century. The Slovenian fountain is smaller than the Roman one.
Descend the hill and dive into the labyrinth of streets of the old town, which stretches on both sides along the Ljubljanica River.
We start the path from the Dragon Bridge and walk parallel to the river. This bridge is the most recognizable Ljubljana landmark, although it was built quite recently (at the beginning of the 20th century), it has acquired a bunch of legends and beliefs: dragons begin to wag their tails if an immaculate girl passes across the bridge; if one of the dragons winked at the bride the night before the wedding, then the mother-in-law will be kind and welcoming to her, and the dragon is also a symbol Ljubljana.
Dragon Bridge
On the way along the Ljubljanica Embankment from the Drakensberg Bridge, you will meet the impressive St. Nicholas Cathedral (very beautiful inside, we recommend visiting). Its light green dome can be seen from almost anywhere in the Old Town Ljubljana.
St. Nicholas Cathedral from outside
The City Indoor Market stretches along the embankment. Here you can buy not only vegetables, fruits and local wine, but also souvenirs.
Market opening hours: 7:00-16:00 (Mon-Fri), 9:00-14:00 (Sat), Sunday - closed.
City market
And the apogee: main square cities – Prešeren Square.
Number of attractions per 1 square meter the square is huge: there is a monument to the poet Franz Preschern, and Franciscan Church of Our Lady, And triple bridge.
You don’t have to remember all these names, but just sit on the square and enjoy the views of the turquoise river with openwork bridges, old colorful houses along the embankment and multilingual noise from the market. It's cozy here capital of Slovenia appears before you in all its glory.
We recommend having lunch at the Zlata Rybica restaurant, which is located next to Prešeren Square. The soups and sea bass here are delicious, and the staff speaks good English. All Slovenes. In principle, they speak English very well.
Interior of the restaurant “Zlata Rybica”
EVENING LJUBLJANA
Continue your walk through the city at night; it is not brightly, but very harmoniously illuminated. The Ljubljana Castle on the top of the hill, the one we were in in the morning, looks especially beautiful in the light of the lanterns.
Along the evening streets Ljubljana you can just wander around without worrying about the names of attractions, but if you are a connoisseur and an esthete, then here’s what you’ll find:
Ljubljana Town Hall, Fountain of the Three Carniolan Rivers And Vodnik Square on one side of the river and University of Ljubljana, Stars Park(there is a very good confectionery shop of the same name) and the city Ljubljana Museum- on the other.
At the end of the evening, pay attention Ljubljana bars:
For wine lovers - (we try local: Refoško, Cviček, TeranRefoško, Cviček, Teran)
The bars on Trubareva Street are full of fun, alternative music and an informal audience.
For jazz connoisseurs - a club
DAY 2
BREAKFAST IN LJUBLJANA
We start the second day at the Solist cafe, next to the city Philharmonic. According to local reviews, the coffee here is the best in the whole city.
TIVOLI PARK
This day will be entirely dedicated to this wonderful place, one of the best in the city, in our opinion.
To begin with, we rent a bicycle - it’s the most convenient vehicle for moving around Ljubljana in general and Tivoli Park in particular. Rental points are located throughout the city; you can rent a bike at one point and leave it at another, which will be closer.
Most popular network bike rental in Ljubljana— BicikeLJ (36 points, no more than 500 meters apart). It’s easy to rent a bike: register on the website, select a short-term subscription, enter your PIN and pay by card. Next, you will receive information and instructions by email, with the help of which you can rent a bike anywhere.
– best place for cycling. Paths lead along trees, a palace, and a lake with water lilies. You can relax in hammocks next to the lake and have lunch in the restaurant.
- a favorite vacation spot for city residents, there are not very many tourists here, but Ljubljana students, mothers with children, and couples meet quite often. In the park you can just take a walk or spend time actively - here is the Sports Palace, a well-kept zoo, where the animals are very cheerful and you don’t want to cry at the sight of their sad faces, and a small Botanical Garden.
Home Tivoli Park attraction- this is, after all, a landscape - trimmed bushes, lawns, flower beds, so even if you are in the mood to just take a walk, 3-4 hours here will fly by unnoticed.
EVENING, LJUBLJANA RESTAURANTS
You can end the second day with dinner at one of the restaurants in the center: Valentin (excellent fish here), Sokol (here we get partridge or other game), Foculus (for pizza lovers).
Restaurant Sokol
Ljubljana beautiful, but without unnecessary pomp, everything is there, but as if in miniature, which creates the feeling that the city is hospitable and glad to see you, and this makes your soul warm and cozy.
Add your tips for places and restaurants in the comments.
PS: If the article was useful to you, you can thank me by booking a hotel for your trip by going to Booking. Thank you!
Without a doubt, the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, is one of those cities that almost no one knows about, and which are not included in standard travel routes in Europe. However, those who have already been to Slovenia at least once definitely want to return again to this most prosperous country of the former Yugoslavia and visit its beautiful capital. On today's walk we will visit the most interesting corners Ljubljana, find out where it is best to stay and eat.
To begin with, I would like to briefly tell you about Slovenia. Slovenia is one of the youngest countries in Europe, dating back to 1991. During its history, the territory of Slovenia was part of Austria-Hungary, and then Yugoslavia. Since 2004, the country has been a member of the EU and Schengen, and a Schengen visa is required to visit it. Let me remind readers that of the former Yugoslav states, only Slovenia is included in the Schengen zone. The currency of Slovenia is the Euro, which is very convenient for travelers to Europe, because... they will not have to change currency again.
In Slovenia they speak the Slovenian language, many words of which will be understandable to Russian speakers on a subconscious level. For example, it’s not hard to guess what they sell in this store.
Ljubljana is a fairly compact town, divided into a new and an old part. That is why it is quite possible to cover the main attractions of Ljubljana on foot in 1 day. If you are traveling through Ljubljana to or to the most famous castle in the country - on or to Lake Bled, then one day will be enough for you to explore the city.
So, what is a must-see during your stay in the Slovenian capital?
Prešernov Trg
This is the central square of the city, named after the Slovenian poet Franze Prešeren, whose statue is located in the very center of the square. It was he who wrote the text of the Slovenian anthem. It is interesting to note that the poet’s gaze is directed at the window of the house in which his muse once lived. The square is located Church of the Annunciation (Frančiškanska Cerkev), built in the 17th century and designed in Baroque style. Prešeren Square is a meeting place for citizens and tourists, from which a large number of excursions around Ljubljana depart. Literally all the roads in the city lead here, so it’s simply impossible not to find this square.
Triple Bridge (Tromostovje)
Near Prešeren Square there is a famous Triple bridge- a complex of 3 bridges over the Ljubljanica River, after which the city was christened. This bridge connects the old part of the city with the new. The first mention of a bridge in this place dates back to the 13th century. Previously, the bridge was wooden, then it was changed to stone, but today this bridge is covered with slabs, and traffic on it is prohibited.
Ljubljana Castle (Ljubljanski grad)
The castle stands on a hill and can be seen from many parts of the city. The castle can be reached on foot or by cable car. The castle is open to the public every day. Located near the castle observation deck with stunning views of Ljubljana. Construction of the castle began in the 10th century, but over time it was rebuilt several times. Initially, the fortress was built to protect Austria-Hungary from Ottoman invaders. For my long history the fortress was used as a weapons depot, a military hospital and a prison. The castle now houses exhibits illustrating the history of Ljubljana.
The castle can be reached by a tourist train, which departs from the southern part of the Triple Bridge and stops right at the castle gates. Travel time to the castle by train is about 10 minutes.
Train fare two ways: 4.00 Euro.
Entrance fee to the castle: 10.00 Euro (with cable car); 7.50 Euro (without cable car).
Snake Bridge or Dragon Bridge (Zmajski most)
This bridge is famous for its four dragons, which are undeniable and the most colorful symbol of Ljubljana. This is the most popular bridge across the Ljubljanica River after the Triple Bridge. This bridge is not pedestrian. By the way, the dragon became the symbol of the city according to the Greek legend about Jason and the Argonauts, according to which Jason freed the city from the dragon. The dragon adorns the coat of arms of Ljubljana and is depicted on many Slovenian souvenirs: magnets, T-shirts, caps, mugs. I also have a magnet from Ljubljana with a dragon :) If you want to make good photos with dragons without people and cars, I advise you to go to the bridge early in the morning.
Park Tivoli
This is Ljubljana's largest park, located northwest of the city center. The park has a large flower garden and a lake. Within the park are the Tivoli Castle and the Tsekin Mansion, which houses the National Museum. modern history Slovenia (Muzej novejše zgodovine Slovenije). It's nice to escape from the park summer heat. The park simply amazes with its silence and atmosphere of tranquility.
Ljubljana City Museum (Muzej in galerije mesta Ljubljane)
The museum's permanent exhibition is dedicated to the life and history of Ljubljana during the existence of Yugoslavia and after. In the museum you can learn about prominent residents of the city. The museum is famous for the world's oldest wooden wheel with an axle, dating back to 3500 BC. The museum has 4 floors in total, so people interested in history can spend more than one hour here. It is possible to register for excursions.
Entrance fee for an adult: 6.00 Euro, for children: 4.00 Euro
Museum address: Ljubljana, Gosposka 15
For ease of orientation around the city, I have attached a map of Ljubljana, which shows attractions and hotels.
Where to stay in Ljubljana?
When choosing a hotel in Ljubljana, I recommend that you pay attention to hotels near the very heart of the city - Prešeren Square. If you have the means, I can recommend you the chic Grand Hotel Union, designed in art nouveau style and the most prestigious hotel in the city.
I also advise you to pay attention to the good City Hotel, located in the very center and offering delicious breakfasts and comfortable rooms.
Where to eat in Ljubljana?
In Ljubljana there are both restaurants with traditional cuisine, and with European dishes. Among the restaurants with traditional cuisine, the following stand out:
- Gostilna na Gradu- a restaurant of traditional Slovenian cuisine, which is proud of its preserved recipes. Here you can order meat, fish or octopus, as well as traditional Slovenian wine. Don't forget to try the dish with traditional Slovenian semi-smoked sausage - Kranjska klobasa. Restaurant address: Ljubljana, Grajska planota 1. The restaurant is located in a picturesque location at the very foot of the Ljubljana fortress.
- Most - restaurant serving Mediterranean and Slovenian cuisine. Here you can taste meat and fish dishes, traditional Slovenian, French and Italian cheeses. Restaurant address: Ljubljana, Petkovskovo nabrezje 21. The restaurant is located right on the embankment.
- Slascicarna Zvezda — one of the best coffee shops in Ljubljana with the largest selection of coffee and cakes in the city. Coffee shop address: Ljubljana, Wolfova 14.
This concludes my story about the most interesting places in Ljubljana and places to stay and eat in the city. I will be glad to see your comments.
Ljubljana is the capital and largest city of Slovenia. It is rightfully considered the historical and cultural center of the country. Situated on the banks of the picturesque Ljubljanica River. Its territory is surrounded by amazingly beautiful landscapes. In the first century AD. there was a small Roman settlement here - Emona. Over the centuries, Slovenia was successively under the rule of either the Austrians or the Germans, or was part of Yugoslavia. Since 1991, after the country gained independence, Ljubljana received the status of the capital of the state. The city attracts many guests with its hospitality and inimitable charm. There are harmonious combinations of wide avenues and narrow streets, miniature wooden houses and high-rise concrete buildings. The original design creates a unique image of Ljubljana, which is so popular with the townspeople and those travelers who are lucky enough to visit the shores of Ljubljanica.
How to get to Ljubljana
Situated at a unique geographical crossroads from Central Europe to the Mediterranean, the Balkans and the Pannonian Basin, Ljubljana is connected by excellent highways with Austria and Italy, Hungary and Croatia. This makes it easy to travel by car to Ljubljana from these European countries.
Ljubljana International Airport Jože Pučnika located 26 km north of the city. The direct flight Moscow - Ljubljana is operated by Adria airline, the flight lasts about 3 hours, with a transfer you can fly through Belgrade (AirSerbia) or, for example, Istanbul (Turkish Airlines). The capital is also conveniently accessible through the airports of Klagenfurt and Graz (Austria), Trieste (Italy), Zagreb (Croatia).
Airfare Moscow - Ljubljana - Moscow
You can get to Ljubljana by rail. The city is directly connected to Italy, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland and Serbia. Slovenia is part of the Eurail Global Pass, which means you can travel with one ticket valid for 28 European countries.
Personal experience: we were traveling to Ljubljana from Bratislava. To Vienna by bus, then by train with a change in Graz to the village of Spielfeld, from where a diesel train runs to Maribor several times a day. From Maribor to Ljubljana again on a normal train.
View from the train window Maribor - Ljubljana
What to see in Ljubljana
The main attraction of Ljubljana is city castle(Slovenian Ljubljanski grad), located on a hill in the city center. It was built in the 12th century and was used as a defensive structure until the 18th century, and then as a prison. Unfortunately, the earthquake of 1895 severely destroyed the castle. It has now been almost completely restored and houses the Museum of the History of Ljubljana, a Virtual Museum where you can see what the place looked like before, and an observation deck on the main tower that offers amazing views of the city and its surroundings. You can see the best way to climb the hill, opening hours and the cost of visiting museums on the website.
Prešeren Square(Slovenian Prešernov trg) is, one might say, the heart of Ljubljana, where it’s nice to sit, drink coffee and watch people. The square is named after the Slovenian poet Franze Prešern, whose monument is erected here.
On Prešeren Square is located (Slovenian. Frančiškanska cerkev Marijinega oznanjenja), another attraction that you absolutely cannot miss while in Ljubljana. It is interesting that the church was built by Augustinian monks in the period from 1646 to 1660, and it is called Franciscan, since later the monks of this order simply took it away and appropriated it for themselves. The red color in which the church is painted is the symbol of the Franciscan monastic order.
Prešeren Square connects the old town (Slovenian. Tromostovje). Wooden bridges existed at this site for many centuries, and in 1842, according to the design of the Italian architect Giovanni Picco, the first stone bridge with two arches was erected, called the “Franz Bridge” in honor of the Austrian Archduke Franz Charles. The bridge turned out to be very strong and withstood the earthquake of 1895. In 1931-1932, due to the lack of carrying capacity of the old bridge, it was decided to add 2 more pedestrian bridges. To give them a unified style, white balustrades were installed, reflecting Venetian motifs. In September 2007, after the restoration of the Triple Bridge, it became completely pedestrian.
In the center of the old city is located Ljubljana Town Hall(Slovenian Ljubljanska mestna hiša). The building was built in 1484 in the Gothic style, and in the period 1717 - 1719 it was reconstructed in the Baroque style. Now the premises continue to be used for their intended purpose; city authorities are located here.
Installed in front of the town hall on the square "Fountain of the Three Carniolan Rivers"(Slovenian "Vodnjak treh kranjskih rek"), it is also known as Robb's Fountain (Slovenian. Robbov vodnjak), named after its creator, the architect Francesco Robba. The fountain was opened in 1751. Its decoration is the three gods of water, who, according to legend, embody the three Carniolian rivers - Ljubljanica, Sava and Krka. Currently, a complete copy of the fountain is installed on Town Hall Square, and the original was reconstructed and moved to the National Gallery.
It’s very close here on Cyril and Methodius Square (Slovenian. Ciril Metodov trg) rises St. Nicholas Cathedral(Slovenian Stolnica svetega Nikolaja) or Ljubljana Cathedral (Slovenian. Ljubljanska stolnica). The modern cathedral, that is, the one we see now, was built in the first half of the 18th century. It took almost another century to build the real dome, which was completed only in 1841.
We cross Vodnik Square diagonally and see a bridge with dragons. (Slovenian Zmajski Most) was erected after its wooden predecessor was severely damaged during an earthquake. The Dragon Bridge was opened in 1901 and is one of the first reinforced concrete bridges built in Europe. At the time of completion, its arch was the third largest in Europe. The official name of the bridge is the Jubilee Bridge of Emperor Franz Joseph I.
From the Dragons Bridge to the Three Bridges along the river there are market buildings - shopping arcades, designed largely for tourists. Here you can buy various souvenirs.
Do you want peace and nature? You can go for a walk in tivoli park(Slovenian Park Tivoli). It has excellent conditions for active recreation and incredibly clean air. The palace of the same name is also located here. Now it houses a center for graphic arts.
Next to the park is the only Serbian in Ljubljana Orthodox Church – Church of Cyril and Methodius(Slovenian Cerkev sv. Cirila in Metoda). Its construction began in 1936, but due to the Second World War, and then political system in the country it was interrupted by for many years. Construction resumed only in the 90s of the 20th century. The church was consecrated on October 23, 2005 during the visit of Patriarch Paul of Serbia.
The city of Ljubljana, stunning in its architectural splendor, is the capital of Slovenia. It is located on the banks of the Ljubljanica River and is divided into Old town and New City. For those who decide to visit Ljubljana, an amazing opportunity opens up to see the fusion of Mediterranean, German and Slovenian cultures.
This is due to the geographical location of the country: it is located between Italy and Austria. The guest can see buildings of various styles, such as Baroque, Renaissance, Art Nouveau. The history of Slovenia is very rich and to get to know it, travelers need to visit some of the sights of its capital.
By the way. The sister city of Ljubljana is and, in terms of the beauty of its sights, is not at all inferior to it.
Ljubljana Castle
It is one of the frequently visited places by foreign tourists. Its history begins in the 9th century, when this work of architectural art was erected. Later, in the 12th century, the first written sources appeared, which reported that at that time the local princes of Spannheim lived in the castle, minting their own coins. The castle is located at the very top of a hill whose height is 376 meters.
In the 14th century, the castle was owned by the Habsburgs. In the 15th century, Frederick III issued an order to build another castle that would surround the existing one.
The castle has a chapel of St. George, built in the Gothic style, which has survived to this day.
At the end of the first half of the 19th century, an observation tower was built in the castle. A watchman served there. His duty was to warn the population, by firing a cannon, about various important events cities.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the castle was transferred to the city administration for the purpose of holding various events. But it was not possible to implement this idea and until 1964 the townspeople lived there. Later, a decision was made to reconstruct the castle, which continues to this day.
Today, the castle is visited by many tourists, as it is the main attraction of the city. A variety of concerts and important meetings are held in Ljubljana Castle.
Address: Slovenia, Ljubljana, Grajska planota 1.
Telephone: +386 1 306 42 93
Operating mode:
- IN winter period(from 1.10 to 30.4) – from 10.00 to 21.00.
- In summer (from 1.5 to 30.9) – from 9.00 to 22.00
Ticket price:
- Children under 7 years old are free.
- Full ticket for children 7-18 years old and students – 6 euros.
- Full ticket for adults – 8 euros.
The next Ljubljana landmark with incredible architecture is the Triple Bridge. It consists of an ensemble of three bridges passing over the Ljubljanica River and leading to the Old Town. The bridge was built in 1842 by the architect Joze Plečnik and is a symbol of the city. In the 20th century, they wanted to demolish the bridge because it was difficult for cars to cross it. The bridge was not designed for such a traffic flow. But its fate was saved by its creator, and a decision was made to expand and strengthen the bridge.
An interesting fact is that today the bridge is guarded by statues of dragons, which were erected by the sculptor-architect Yuri Zaninovich.
Address: Slovenia, Ljubljana, Tromostovje, Stritarjeva ulica, 1000.
National Slovenian Opera and Ballet Theater
The next place that guests of Ljubljana must visit is the Slovenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, the façade of which has a truly majestic appearance.
Despite the fact that the history of the theater is not very long, compared to other theaters in Europe, it is quite interesting. Initially, exhibitions of famous artists of the country were held in the theater building, then the Ljubljana Orchestra played there. In 1892, the theater was moved to a new building, now an opera house, which hosts productions by the world's greatest composers and performed by the country's most famous artists.
Today the theater boasts an extensive repertoire of opera, ballet and concert works of modern and classical music and theatrical creativity.
Address: Slovenia, Ljubljana, Župančičeva 1.
Telephone: +386 1 24 15 959
Working hours: from 10.00-18.00 Lunch from 13.00-14.00
Ticket price: vary depending on the upcoming event.
Central Square
In the very center of the city, on its main central square, which is also one of the city’s attractions, there is a monument to the poet Franz Preschern. It was in his honor that in 1905 it was decided to name the central square of the city. Before this, the square was named in honor of the Holy Virgin Mary. Slovenians love the poet Prešeren so much that one of his poems became the anthem of Slovenia.
Prešeren Square is surrounded by ancient houses, and the history of the square itself dates back to the 17th century.
Today, Prešeren Square is the very heart of the city of Ljubljana. It hosts cultural events, concerts, and rallies. It is also customary to hold folk festivals there.
The central square of Prešeren is often depicted on postage stamps and country postcards.
Address: Slovenia, Ljubljana.
Dragon Bridge
Another stunning landmark of the city is the Dragon Bridge. It is located in the northwest of Vodnik Square. The bridge was built not so long ago - in the 20th century, but has stunning architecture, which attracts guests of the capital.
The Drakensberg Bridge is called because it is guarded by four dragons. This place has become a favorite for visiting tourists and residents of the capital. There are many legends about the Dragon Bridge, such as about the great Jason, about the Serpent Gorynych, who, when he sees a virgin, wags his tail. You can learn more about the legends from local residents while taking a walk along the bridge.
Address: Slovenia, Ljubljana, Resljeva ul.
A great work of architecture is the Fužine Castle. Despite many reconstructions, its appearance has been preserved in its original form. The building is made in the Renaissance style. The castle was built back in the 16th century with funds allocated by influential merchants. The castle is surrounded by a moat, over which there is a stone bridge, over which the visitor has the opportunity to admire fragments of preserved wall paintings, which are made in both the Renaissance and Baroque styles.
Throughout its existence, the castle housed many different workshops, but in the end, in 1992, it was carefully restored by Peter Gabrielcsik and since then, the Fuzine Castle houses the Ljubljana Architectural Museum.
Address: Slovenia, Ljubljana, Pot Na Fužine, 2.
Telephone: 01 548 42 70
Operating mode:
- Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00,
- Monday - closed
Ticket price: Entrance is free for everyone.
Ljubljana skyscraper
This 13-story building is located in the central part of Ljubljana and is one of the most visited places by tourists.
The skyscraper was erected according to the design of Vladimir Shubik, a famous architect. Construction of the building began in 1931 and lasted almost 2 years. Its height is 70m. 35 cm. The architect was inspired to create such a skyscraper thanks to the skyscrapers built in America in the 20th century.
The skyscraper became famous at that time due to the fact that it was the tallest building in Yugoslavia. In all of Europe, it ranked ninth in height.
Today, there are shops on the 1-3 floors of the skyscraper, offices on the 4-5 floors, residential premises on the 6-9 floors, and a cafe and an observation deck on the top floors.
Botanical Garden Ljubljana
The garden is one of the favorite places of tourists and local residents, as well as a scientific and cultural site in Slovenia. Its amazingness lies in the fact that this garden has been operating continuously since the very moment of its existence, despite the fact that it can deservedly be called the oldest botanical garden in the south-eastern part of Europe.
Both locals and tourists love to walk around the botanical garden.
The Ljubljana Botanical Garden was created at the beginning of the 19th century. This province was ruled at that time by Marshal Augustus Marmont. He can be called the founder of this garden. In honor of its opening, the marshal planted a linden tree in that place, which can still be seen in the garden today.
The garden is also famous due to the fact that on its territory, which is more than 2 hectares, there are at least 4.5 thousand species of plants.
St. Nicholas Cathedral
This work of architectural art is located in the very center of Ljubljana. The Catholic Cathedral was built in the 18th century in the Baroque style. Its history is very rich. The cathedral project was developed by the Italian architect Andrea del Pozzo. The building took 4 years to construct. The builders of the cathedral had their own secrets for constructing the building. For example, to better set the lime, they mixed it with wine. Distinctive feature The cathedral is its dome, which crowns the building. The interior of the cathedral consists of many beautiful frescoes that cannot fail to attract the attention of visitors.
Address: Slovenia, Ljubljana, Dolničarjeva ulica 1, 1000 Ljubljana
Telephone: +386 1 231 0684;
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10.00–12.00, 15.00–19.00.
If you are planning a trip by car to Slovenia, you can drive through Italy and visit its attractions along the way. Such as attractions, or.
Despite the fact that Ljubljana is not big city, which you can get around in a few days, it has a lot of different attractions that, thanks to their charm, will not leave anyone indifferent. The weather in Ljubljana is always wonderful, thanks to the rather mild climate, so even the most fastidious tourists will find it very comfortable here. Having visited the sights of this city and plunged into its history, Ljubljana will remain in your hearts for a long time.
