Kranj

Places of Interest - Slovenia

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introduction

Kranj is the fourth largest city in Slovenia and lies beautifully at the foot of the Alps. Many people skip the largest industrial city in the country but it has a very picturesque and well-organized center on top of a rock between the rivers Sava and Kokra.

Filled with beautiful renovated Renaissance and Gothic houses, it is certainly worthwhile to look around for a couple of hours or so. In addition to a very eventful history, the city has another very interesting sight; the tunnels under the city that were initially dug as shelters against Allied bombing during WWII. You can get a interesting tour of the city under the city.

highlights

Kranj tunnels:

During WWII, several tunnels were dug under the old city in the city of Kranj to be used against air raids. In 1939 a start was made when the war broke out, but in 1944 serious work was made in view of the expected Allied air attacks from Italy.

In spite of other major construction work in occupied German areas was carried out by a reputable contractor and paid workers. Despite the fact that the tunnels could not be completed in their entirety due to lack of resources, the tunnels were frequently used by the local population (4000 in total).

The largest tunnel under the old city, is about 1.3 km long and has four entrances. Almost all are 2 meters wide, plastered with a 20 cm thick cement layer and look like underground tunnels with some small stalagmites here and there. In addition, other tunnels have been dug in the city (for the same purpose) by their own workers. After the tunnels had lost their proper function, they were used by foreign workers who used them as a sleeping place and as a mushroom production site.

Only in recent years have they been emptied, cleaned up, adapted and opened to the public. Some are also used for research. Just like in the "Postojna" cave, the "human fish" and other animals such as bats and a spider and beetle species live here.

TOUR: on working days at 17:00 from the information center (TIC) - costs: 3 euro - duration 1 hour.

Historical center:

The old center of Kranj is built on the large limestone rock where for centuries people have lived because of its perfect strategic location. You can distinguish three important places in the 1 km elongated heart of the city; starting with the lowest section Maistrov Trg where unfortunately a number of totally new buildings can be seen.

Presernova Ulica is the beginning of the pedestrian zone that leads to the impressive Glavni Trg - the most beautiful square in the city. It is surrounded by renovated Gothic and Renaissance buildings. At the end of the city (where you have a beautiful view of the city and the Alpine peaks in the distance) you have the Pungert.

Here you can see the foundations of the old city tower and the “plague” church. On the other side of the valley you can clearly see that buildings (and gardens) fall off the rocks as they break down due to their fragility.

Kranj-Houses-Street-Small-Alley-Slovenia

history

Already during Roman times there was a road between the current Klagenfurt (Austria) and the Roman "Emona" (Ljubljana) through the city Kranj. But not so long ago a gigantic important discovery was made in the mud in the city - an almost perfect wheel was found. It seems to have been the oldest wheel ever found and it has been exhibited in a museum since today.

Signs of a Celtic settlement have also been found. After the Romans, the Langobards had a basis in the city - something not so long ago demonstrated when different "armor" of the old tribe were found under the foundation of a new construction project at the foot of the old city.

Slaves and other tribes would come and go the following centuries. In the 11th century, Kranj became an important front-city for the Frankish rulers against the advancing Hungarians. In the following centuries, the city would grow into an important trade and market city.

tips & advice (2013)

Kranj - Ljubljana: almost every hour there is a train leaving the train station for the capital.

Name: Hostel Cukrarna

Address: Kljucavnicarska Ulica 4

Price: 12 euros (dormitory) including breakfast

Content:

The hostel has been operating for three years now and looks more than decent. The owner does her best (and her staff) to make the guests feel at home. There is a very well stocked kitchen, a sitting room with lazy chairs and a large room where you can have breakfast in the morning and sit during the day.

The hostel has different rooms and options. Fluent English is spoken and the breakfast is well arranged. The showers are hot and it is very clean. There is free WIFI and it is very centrally located in the most beautiful street of the old city. In the rooms there are cupboards where you can put your belongings.

Kranj is seen by tourists as an industrial city and therefore often skipped. The old center has been completely renovated in recent years and it is a pity that you can not see it from above - a unique strategic location on top of a hill in an oval shape.

In addition to the historic city with cozy terraces and many shops, it has a perfect hostel (in the old town) and a unique opportunity to see the city under the city through a very interesting (and cheap) tour. In addition, the city can serve as a perfect stopover between, for example, Bled and Ljubljana.