Ljubljana

Places of Interest - Slovenia

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introduction

Ljubljana is by far the largest city in the country, the capital but also the political, economic and cultural heart of the small country Slovenia.

Everything starts and ends in the capital, which is also centrally located in the country. The capital is not super big but very versatile - it has a castle on a high rock, an emerald river that meanders through the old town with beautiful baroque and "Art Nouveau" buildings on both sides with some very impressive bridges. Around the historic city, which has been severely affected by earthquakes twice, it is mainly large gray communist buildings that can be seen.

The capital is also modern - it has a very central bus and train station, a very lively and large student community and a very varied and wide range of foreign culture and cuisine. Around the city you can make a historical walk that has been christened the path of memory with, among other things, bunkers from WWII and an interesting cemetery.

highlights

The old historic city:

The center of the capital Ljubljana is not too big and easy to discover on foot. Do not expect world-shattering museums, sights or monuments but rather a mix of diversity. The multifaceted history of the city and earthquakes have set the face of the city in a very varied style.

The heart of the city is formed by the castle which dominates the cityscape on the hill - it can be climbed but can also be reached by a rail lift. In front of the hill is the "real" old town with beautiful buildings in Baroque and Art Nouveau style. Behind it the main square of the city with the three bridges again designed by Slovenian architect Plecnik and the striking pink Fransican church.

Over the Ljubljana river, that meanders through the whole old city, are several bridges that are worth a look - especially the dragons bridge. Along the river boulevards with mainly houses and buildings from the Renaissance time and numerous terraces. You can also visit the central market. Finally there are a number of medieval houses to discover, a few scarce remains of Roman times (when the city was called Emona) and there are countless pedestrian-streets filled with (souvenir) shops, restaurants, hotels and cafes.

Path of remembrance and Zale cemetery:

If you want something different and want to escape from the center with all its tourists, maybe this is a good alternative. Around the city a walking path has been set out along the barbed wire fence, which the Nazis during WWII have built around the city - a so-called open city concentration camp. The entire course is 32 km long and you can choose to walk, jog or skate (parts) of it.

Pay attention to the Pot signs that are placed along the route or ask for the Pot Spominov that you can pick up at the famous AMZS headquarters for example. You can take bus 6, 8 or 11 or just walk from the center (it is about 2.5 km). Along the way you come across an old bunker, among other things although most relics from that period are gone.

A little further you arrive at the Zale cemetery, built by the highly acclaimed Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik. This can be compared to the French Pere Lachaise or the English Highgate and is a masterpiece.

Other attractions:

The church and former barracks of Sveti Urh.

history

The city was founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC, then called Emona and was at that time an important trading place with 5000 inhabitants. It lay also central between the Roman provinces in the North and the conquered areas in the south of the city.

Already during the 5th century the Roman city was attacked several times by barbaric tribes such as the East Goths and Langobarden - in 452 the city was totally destroyed by the Huns by their leader Atilla. In the 6th century the first Slavs settled here. During the Middle Ages, the city was inhabited and abandoned by many people. The last and longest rulers were the Habsburgs who took over the city in 1335 and would rule here until the end of WWI (1919).

They called the city Laibach and the castle that was built on top of the mountain would keep the Turks, who frequently attacked in the 15th century, at a distance. Unfortunately, in the same century, Laibach was almost razed to the ground by an all-devastating earthquake - the city was built in a baroque style that gave the name "white city". Ljubljana had an important role with respect to Napoleon, when, between 1809 and 1813, it became the capital of the Illyrian provinces annexed to the French empire, which ensured that Austria-Hungary no longer had access to the Adriatic Sea. After the fall of Napoleon, the old situation was restored.

In the years that followed, the rail link between the city and other major cities led to a rapid development of the city, which was adorned with many Art Nouveau buildings. This is because the city was hit hard for the second time by an earthquake (1895). WWI was the reason for the break with the Habsburg Empire - Slovenia joined the Kingdom of the Serbs (together with Croatia and Serbia). During WWII the country was divided - the capital of Slovenia came (together with the south of the country) under Italian rule. When Italy capitulated, the Nazis took over and sealed of the entire city with a barbed wire fence.

After WWII, Slovenia became part of the Republic of Yugoslavia and became the capital of Slovenia after declaring independence in 1991.

tips & advice (1996 and 2013)

The train- and bus station (located next to each other) are centrally located on the north side of the city center. Both are terribly small and you can wait for your bus or train in a café closeby next to the station.

Ljubljana to Budapest (Hungary): if you book early in advance you can book a bus ticket at www.orangeways.com for as little as 25 euros. This departs in front of the train station (at the "normal" bus station) platform 1 - 3 pm (2 pm available) arrival time 22:30.

Name: Hostel Celika

Address: Metelkova Ulica 8

Price: 14 euros (13 + 1 tax) in the largest dormitory

Phone nr. : 230 97 00/051 373 993

Website: www.hostelcelica.com

Content:

This very popular hostel is located on the edge of the city center in a very artistic area near the train and bus station. It was built in an old prison from 1882 and all twenty cells have been "completed" by individual architects in their own style but with their original bars. There are different types of rooms from very large dorms (from 12 people) to three person rooms. Everything is arranged very professionally and I found it a bit impersonal myself.

Downstairs are three different bars, a large (outside) terrace and an art gallery - so there are also many local people from outside the hostel. It is built in the very artistic "hippie" district Metelkova which makes it special. The prison itself is painted in all colors of the rainbow and outside you will find all kinds of art objects and graffiti. The large dormitory is the cheapest and you'll find a real (ship) hut here. On the other hand, there are two showers and two toilets and the room is used a lot by people who stay for one night - so expect to wake up often. In the hallway there is also a small kitchen and a "hippie" seat.

Downstairs is free WIFI (above you have to pay extra), there is a telephone for international use and breakfast is 3 euros for guests (well stocked buffet). I had a night in a 5 person dormitory (15 euro) - there was a "private" toilet, shower and sink but it was a bit on the small side - really felt like a cell even though they are on the second floor located.

TIP: book through the information center or via the internet - you get a discount.