Ljubljana, «the beloved»

We did not feel love at first sight for Ljubljana. We needed time to catch its inner beauty to adopt it for life. Indeed, « the beloved » has nothing flashy, which makes its charm and its singularity. It’s sweet, discreet and likely, which makes its particular fits of fervor all the more pleasant. Like its inhabitants, it is full of simplicity and sincerity. There you meet light and true smiles, an atmosphere bathed in happiness and romanticism, such a gentle way of life that you feel overcome by an indescribable feeling of well-being.
Human-sized capital, you discover and rediscover it walking or biking. And once you let it seduce you, you are so bound to it that you feel the need to come back there regularly.

Our photos - Slovenia

Our trips - Slovenia

The Triple Bridge, both original and attractive artwork, was built by local architect Jože Plečnik. Its stairs to the banks and its columns endow it with a Venetian style. Its line with the Annunciation Franciscan Church and its coral-colored façade is the idealized image of the town. Between the two, the all round shaped Prešeren Square is often the locals’ meeting place, and the visitors’ landmark. There take place most of the shows. As you make your way to Čopova Street, you will see a superb scale model of the town made of bronze, as useful as aesthetic because it will eventually help you to find your way around.
Miklošičeva Avenue on its own is worth the visit: there, the Secession style – derived from Art Nouveau – is much in evidence. The fineness of embellishments and the diversity in colors are outstanding. The Galerija Emporium shopping centre (former Centromerkur), the Grand Hotel Union and the Zadružna Cooperative Bank with its colored mosaics are the most significant examples.
Other emblematic artwork in Ljubljana, the Dragons Bridge allows you to cross the Ljubljanica to join the Market Square.
 
 
See :

• Triple Bridge
• Annunciation Franciscan Church
• Dragons Bridge
• Ethnographic Museum
• Miklošičeva Avenue
• Ljubljanica banks

Combination of different styles and different ages, the set high up Ljubljana Castle offers a view from above of the town and the surroundings. It is located in both green and shaded area. However, the presence inside of metal protective structures, including cable railings, can be regrettable. The choice of materials going better with stone, such as wood, would have been more appropriate. To join it, two options are available to you: the funicular, or climb on foot for the bravest.
The Saint-Nicholas Cathedral, Baroque gem inherited from the Habsburg, includes Italian influences as well, the whole in a noticeable harmony. You will also find this Transalpine touch very close on the Three Rivers Fountain by Francesco Robba.
Stari trg, lively and colored heart of the Old Town, displays superb Rococo style houses. The square is – with the Ljubljanica banks – the locals and tourists’ favourite place to linger or to chat having a drink or a meal on a terrace.
 
 
See :
 

• Ljubljana Castle
• Saint-Nicholas Cathedral
• Three Rivers Fountain
• Central Market Square with its columns and its porticos
• Stari trg
• Ljubjanica banks

The Tivoli Park is a 5 hectare park in the heart of the city. It includes a castle and its Modern Art Gallery, sculptures, sports facilities and children games. A Neoclassical house contains the International Graphic Art Center.
While making your way to the Ljubljanica banks, you will see numerous religious or cultural edifices, houses with an opulent and old-fashioned charm, the whole in a diversity in styles and colors. The Kongresni Square is a significant example. The University is very close, so the atmosphere is young and dynamic.
As you walk away from the city centre along the Ljubljanica in the direction of Trnovo and Rudnik areas, you join the Gruberjev Channel, an affluent of the river. The part of its banks which faces the Botanical Garden is one of the favorite places of local young people and students who like to meet there at night. The atmosphere is pleasant and relaxed. One evening in June 2012, we saw with amusement one of them riding on water a funny machine he had made himself : a bike with a barrel welded to the fork that allowed him to float, and two rear-mounted barrels fitted with small paddles connected to the pedal and gear mechanism. It was the attraction of the evening.
Krakovo, the amazing truck farmer area – which supplies some of the daily market products – is highly prized by artists and architects. There you can find Emona City ruins.
 
 
See:
 

• Tivoli Park
• Serbian Orthodoxe Monastery
• Opera
• Parliament
• Kongresni trg and Slovenian Philarmonic
• Saint Trinity Ursuline Church
• National University Library
• Krakovo truck farmer area
• Jože Plečnik’s house
• Emona City ruins
• Ljubljanica banks
• Gruberjev Channel banks