JUNE 2014 : EASTERN EUROPE : Ljubljana, Slovenia

                             

                                                 

Three days in Ljubljana, Slovenia 

        

Our first view of Ljubljana was from the train. Only an hour and a half trip from Zagreb. Although a hot summer's day we arrived to see a city framed with snow-capped mountains. It is a city of 300,000 inhabitants, which is boosted by 60,000 university students.

                                              

                                                                                          

                                   Adora Hotel in the old town. Excellent value for a boutique hotel.

                                            

         On one of the adjoining walls of the hotel is this archway or East Gate, a remnant of the original                   entry into the city.

        

                                                     

     The main landmark is the castle. A short walk up from the Old Town. It has not had great significance as a seat of power but it was more a look-out point. Now it is used for cultural purposes, has a lovely restaurant and provides excellent views of the city.

         

                                         

  Despite being under fascist Yugoslavian regime, the city has retained elegant Baroque buildings from the Hapsburg occupation and after an earthquake in 1895 buildings were replaced in Art Noveau style.

        

                                            

     The Ljubljanica River runs through the city, with several bridges joining the Old and New Towns.

        

                                      

          Tromostovje or Triple Bridge, which replaced the original wooden medieval bridge

       

                                   

Colonnades along the river, which were placed where the old city wall was situated. For many years it was where all the butcher and fish stalls were set up. Now it there are cafés which overlook the daily fresh food market.

       

                                        

                                            Craft and jewellery stalls in the colonnades as well   

                            

      

                                    

                                    Beautiful fresh produce - for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

                                     

                                                          

                                                 

                                         Traditional illustrations from old Slovenian tiles.

                                      

                                     

                                                      

         The dragon, the symbol of Ljubljana. Jason, of the Argonaut fame, was said to have encountered dragons here when he was transporting the Golden Fleece across the continent to Trieste.

                                      

                                       

                                                       

          A lot of public art. This is Julia, a rich merchant's daughter, immortalised on the building where she lived and remembered for shunning the affections of the poet, France Preseren, whose statue faces her in the square.

               

                                        

                                                        

          Art Noveau style of the Cooperative Bank Business building of 1921 decorated with Slovenian national colours.

       

                                          

         

                                       

                                         A child's toy found in a well from the Roman period.

    Ljubljana was originally the Roman town of Emona and they are still excavating substantial sites around the city. Fascinating exhibition at the City Museum of Ljubljana.

       

                                         

                                               Excellent cafés and bars with lots of activity 

                                           

                           Delicious fish, pork, lamb,beef ... and other local specialties.

       

                                        

                           Buskers and concerts around the city at night...and the World Cup.

          

                                                     Our final meal at 'Most'. We give it 5 stars.

                                                                  Viva la Ljubljana !!

We've really enjoyed the ambience of Ljubljana. It's very easy to get around, mainly by foot, and everything presented so well. It's a place that doesn't have to push tourism, it is really worth travelling here and experiencing all Slovenia has to offer. So many other travellers over the last few days have agreed. It's been the perfect lead up to our walk, which starts tomorrow.

M&M

13/6/2014