SLOVENIA - Ljubljana (A tour of the city)

17:12 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Ljubljana is the capital and largest city of Slovenia. With a population less than 300,000, Ljubljana is one of the smallest capital city in Europe. It takes only half a day on foot to cover the city centre of Ljubljana. As there are no world famous attractions in the city, you can take your time exploring what the city has to offer.

Stayed here at Hotel Slon Best Western hotel which is situated right at the city centre, which made exploring the city on foot pretty easy.

Preseren Square, the central square of Ljunljana is just a 5 minute walking distance from Slon Hotel.

The Latin inscription on the upstream side of the central bridge: “To Archduke Franz Karl. 1842. The town.”

Night view of the famous Triple Bridge.

There are actually many bridges crossing the river and are uniquely different from each other.

Heading toward Town Square. Located up on the hill is Ljubljana Castle.

Many eateries can be found in Ljubljana especially along the Ljubljanica River.

Kranjska provincial mansion at Congress Square now currently the main building of University of Ljubljana was formerly the seat of Carniolan Parliament.

Ursuline Church of the Holy Trinity was built between 1718 and 1726 in the Baroque style.

When I first arrive at Slovenia, I had difficulties in pronouncing Ljubljana. The trick is by disregarding the ‘J’ word. You pronounce it as Lublana.

National Gallery is the main art museum in Ljubljana.

Museum of Modern Art houses a national collection of modernist from 20th to 21st century.

Pivovarna Union or simply Beer Union is a Slovenian beer brand.

The beer taste good.

Located just outside of city centre is a fast food restaurant named Hot Horse.

Like the name suggest, the restaurant serves horse meat. Horse burger to be exact.

The horse burger cost EUR 4.80.

The horse burger actually taste like beef burger. It’s actually worth a try if you haven’t eaten a horse burger before.

Rise and shine! Woke up early in the morning to explore the city.

Had a hearty buffet breakfast before heading out.

The buffet spread offered by Slon Hotel is actually very good.

Bank of Slovenia is the central bank of Slovenia.

Summer Sale! It's summer, so most of the store offers a great discount.

The city layout model.

Grand Hotel Union is a 4 star hotel in the area.

Franciscan Church of the Annunciation.

Preseran Square during the day.

The Triple Bridge is just in front of Preseren Square.

A bronze statue of Slovenia national poet, France Preseren with his muse was erected at the eastern side of the square.

The pedestal of the Preseren Monument depicts scenes from his poem.

Inside the circle at Preseren Square, water was sprayed periodically from the pavement floor and fell like rain. Many children including my son enjoyed walking or cycling in the circle under the sun.

Taking a photo on Triple Bridge. The pavement on the bridge was previously covered with asphalt which was later replaced with granite blocks in 2010.

Triple Bridge crossing the Ljubljanica River. Why is it called Triple Bridge? Simple! The bridge consist of 3 bridges. Triple Bridge is a major landmark of Ljubljana.

View of Ljubljana Castle on Castle Hill.

Lisca is Slovenia’s fashion house.

Bought a set of bikini from Lisca.

Tourist train stop at the Triple Bridge to Ljubljana Castle.

Tired from all that walking? Hop on the Kavalir for a free ride along the paved pedestrian street of Ljubljana.

It's a joy strolling the streets in the morning as there were less people and the weather isn't so hot.

Ljubljana Town Hall and in front of it, stands the Robba Fountain.

Constructed in 1751, the fountain was made by Italian sculpture Francesco Robba and is one of the city’s most recognisable landmark.

The Robba Fountain located here at Town Square is however is just a replica. The original Robba Fountain was moved to the National Gallery in 2006.

Ljubljana Town Hall was originally built in 1484 and underwent a major renovation between the year 1717 and 1719.

Town Square with St Nicholas Cathedral at the background

St Nicholas Cathedral or better known as Ljubljana Cathedral is an easily recognizable landmark of the city with its green dome and twin towers

The new south bronze door was designed by Mirsad Begic. From the Christ’s sacrifice, rise the images of the Bishops of the Ljubljana Diocese in the last century.

The new west bronze door was designed by Tone Demsar. Demsar designed the reliefs with the history of Slovenian territory under the rule of three important Bishops and blessed by Pope John Paul II.

Interior of St. Nicholas Church.

Locals attending the Sunday service.

Just beautiful.

Fresco by Giuglio Quaglio on the cathedral ceiling

A tour guide explaining the meaning of the sculpture on the west bronze door.

I stayed here for while while eavesdropping on what the tour guide was explaining to her tourist group.

It's actually quite nice to be part of a tour group. But I still prefer to explore it on my own without all the time constraints of being part of a tour group.

The open market at Pogacar Square.

Stalls selling burgers and other food at the open market.

The Ljubljana Central Market has several stores selling souvenirs. It is one of the best place to get souvenir in Ljubljana.

Across the street, more stores can be found along the way.

Fresh fruits.

T-shirts.

Wine.

And hats. I bought a hat here for EUR 10.

Another souvenir shop around the corner.

There are a few sculptures on the bridge. This one is the sculpture of Prometheus, running and disembowelled, in punishment for having given knowledge (of fire) to mankind.

The Butcher’s Bridge is easily recognised with glass walking belts at both sides and two fences with steel wires and wide top shelves. Many couples latched their love pad locks on the steel wires as their symbol of “locking their souls together”.

Butcher’s Bridge is a contemporary looking bridge over the Ljubljana River which was officially opened on 10 July 2010.

Another sculpture on the bridge, Satyr, startled by the Serpent.

The Triple Bridge as seen from Butcher’s Bridge.

My son was fascinated by the love padlocks.

Ljubljanica River as viewed from the Butcher’s Bridge.

The sculpture of Adam and Eve, shamed and banished from the Paradise.

View of Butcher’s Bridge from the river bank.

Plenty of restaurants along the Ljubljanica River.

Galato ice cream! Yummy yummy.

A friendly waitress at the Cacao Cafe.

One Ice Cream please!!!

The arcades were designed by Plecnik, the most famous Slovenian architect.

Ice cream business is doing exceptionally well during this hot weather of summer.

Enjoying my ice cream with great views at the background.

This is actually the best view of Ljubljana city. The Ljubljanica River, Ljubljana Cathedral and Ljubljana Castle on top of the hill.

The Dragon Bridge is another iconic bridge over Ljubljanica River. It was built in the beginning of 20th century. The bridge was originally named the Jubilee Bridge of the Emperor Franz Josef I. In July 1919, it was renamed to Dragon Bridge.

The dragon statues on Dragon Bridge.

The peculiar sight of shoes hanging across a street, much like the scene in the movie, “Big Fish”. I don’t know why people hung their shoes like this though.