Situated right in the center of Slovenia lies its capital, Ljubljana. Almost an equal distance from Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, this small but innovative city has a car-free heart, a hip attitude, and a mythical history.
Wherever you go in Ljubljana, you’ll see images of dragons. Legend has it that, many centuries ago, a dragon lived in the Ljubljana river preying on locals, until a Greek hero discovered a way to defeat it. It’s a perfect symbol for this charismatic university town that is fiercely protective of its environment, its history, and its people.
Step into the narrow streets of the town center, and instead of traffic, you’ll hear bicycle bells, and instead of gridlock, you’ll find riverbanks lined with cafes, pubs and historic architecture. In 2007, the council banned cars here and the city has been rolling out sustainable programs ever since.
Ljubljana Castle
Ride the funicular or take the gentle stroll to the mighty Ljubljana Castle. This beloved landmark has been standing above the city for more than 900 years.
Far from being just a window into history, this castle is part of daily life and is often used for weddings, concerts and art shows.
The Museum of Puppetry
Discover the rich tradition of puppeteering at the Museum of Puppetry here, or just enjoy the views out over the city.
The Triple Bridge
The town center straddles the banks of the Ljubljana River. The cobbled Old Town lies on the east bank, while on the west bank are the more recently built buildings, parks, and galleries.
The two are linked by the Triple Bridge, one of a dozen iconic masterpieces designed by the city’s favorite son, architect Joze Platnick. This group of three bridges was built in 1842 and its focus on pedestrian access, shows just how far ahead of his time were Platnick’s designs.
Preseren Square
Head to the oval-shaped Preseren Square where in ancient times, several roads met in front of the old city gates. Today it is a popular meeting point and the city’s heart. The square was named after France Preseren, whose poem “A Toast” became the country’s national anthem.
Preseren’s statue
Enjoy a coffee and a pastry on the steps of Preseren’s statue, meet the locals and watch the city go about its day. In this university town, there is always someone to chat with.
The Franciscan Church
Take the time to explore the Franciscan Church, with its dramatic staircase that faces the square. Originally painted red to represent the Franciscan monastic order, it has faded over time to salmon pink.
The University of Ljubljana
There are plenty more magnificent buildings at nearby Congress Square which were built on the site of a ruined medieval monastery and is also home to Park Zvezda.
From here, you can see the main building for the University of Ljubljana, one of the largest places of learning in Europe. The balcony of this building has been used by political hard hitters such as Tito to address crowds throughout Slovenia’s history.
The Slovene Philharmonic Orchestra building
Stroll past the Slovene Philharmonic Orchestra building, one of the world’s oldest musical institutions with famous connections to composers such as Beethoven and Brahms. It still delights music lovers today.
The Dragon Bridge
Keep an eye out as you cross the Dragon Bridge famous for its fearsome statues. They are said to twitch their tails when a pure and untouched maiden is nearby.
Tivoli Park
Ljubljana Central Market is another good place to catch up with the locals and in Town Square, you’ll find the Town Hall and St Nicholas’s Church.
Another of the city’s innovative schemes is free bicycle rentals, so pick up a bike and head to Tivoli Park which stretches from the western outskirts right into the city center.
Tivoli Castle
Follow the Jokopic Promenade to the Tivoli Castle and visit the collection of prints by modern artists at the International Centre of Graphic Arts
Metelkova Mesto
Immerse yourself in the art of a different kind in the Metelkova Mesto, a funky cultural zone which is just a few hundred meters away from Ljubljana’s main train station. This abandoned army barracks hosts more than 1500 events each year and has become one of the best-known underground social experiments in Europe.
Cobblers’ Bridge
As your day ends, stroll back over Cobblers’ Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in the city.
Conclusion
Ljubljana may have taken a dragon as its symbol but unlike its mythical beast, this city is welcoming, warm and delighted to share its treasures with visitors.