One day in Ljubljana, Slovenia (Walking Tour) ｜ Things to do in Ljubljana, Slovenia ｜ Ljubljana 4K)

Ljubljana is the capital city of Slovenia. With a population of just 280,000, Ljubljana is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe, but it has a lot to offer. Its architecture, history, charming cobbled streets, bridges, lovely cafes, and restaurants make Ljubljana especially delightful. Most of attractions are located in the old town, neighborhood lined up between the Ljubljanica riverbanks and the 16th-century Ljubljana Castle. The dragon is the symbol of Ljubljana, and has pride of place on the city coat of arms, and on the famous Dragon Bridge. According to a legend, it transformed from a monster to the symbolic protector of the city, embodying power, courage, and wisdom. Here's how to see the best of Ljubljana in one day. Prešeren Square. Prešeren Square is the main square in Ljubljana, named after the greatest Slovenian poet, Franz Prešeren. The Prešeren Monument stands at the eastern side of the square, in front of the Central Pharmacy in Ljubljana. The statue that stands on a pedestal includes a sculpture of the poet, facing the window where his adored Julia Premička used to live, and a sculpture of Franciscan Church of the Annunciation. The Franciscan Church of the Annunciation is a Franciscan church located on the northern side of Prešeren Square. The church was built in the mid-17th century, though the façade wasn't finished until 1706. The façade features pinnacles, pilasters with Ionic capitals, niches, and a statue of the Virgin and Child on the pediment. Hauptmann House. Hauptmann House in Prešeren Square is one of the best examples of Art Nouveau in Ljubljana. It was built in 1873 and is one of the few Ljubljana buildings that survived the earthquake of 1895 undamaged. Its owner, the merchant Adolf Hauptmann, renovated it in the then-trendy Viennese Art Nouveau style. Trimoštovje or Triple Bridge. Trimoštovje also known as the Triple Bridge is one of Ljubljana's most recognizable sights. It lies beside Prešeren Square. The structure consists of three bridges, which connect the modern city of Ljubljana to the old town. The bridge was designed in 1929 by the city's most prolific architect, Jože Plečnik. The reason why there is three bridges sitting side by side, is that in 1842, the central bridge was built to replace the original wooden medieval bridge. Plečnik added two more sides to improve pedestrian traffic flow. Today, all three bridges are pedestrian-only. Central Market. When you cross the Triple Bridge, you are already at the Central Market, designed by Ljubljana's famous architect Jože Plečnik. The Central Market consists of an open-air market, a covered market situated in between the two squares, and a series of small food shops along the river Ljubljanača. Apart from fresh fruits and vegetables are grown by local farmers, the market also offers a variety of quality and unique handicrafts and souvenirs. In the indoor market building, one can buy cured meat products, fresh meat, homemade biscuits and pastries, various kinds of local cheeses, etc. Dragon Bridge. Not far from the Central Market is the famous Dragon Bridge or Zmejský Most. Located across the Ljubljanača River, east of the Triple Bridge, it has become famous because of the four dragon statues that are protecting it. It's an impressive example of the Art Nouveau architecture and it was built in 1901. Petkovšek Embankment. Bars and cafes in the lively Petkovšek Embankment are a great place for a pleasant break before you continue. Town Hall or Mesna Hiša. Ljubljana Town Hall sits on Town Square in the city center, close to the Central Market. The Town Hall of Ljubljana was originally built in the late 15th century by the master builder Peter Besley. In the early 18th century, the Gothic structure was redesigned in the Venetian Baroque style by the Italian architect Carlo Mutinuzzi. Robber Fountain. A replica of Robber Fountain, or Fountain of Three Rivers, stand in front of Town Hall. The fountain was designed between 1743 and 1751, by the Italian sculptor Francesco Robber. The sculptures of three river gods adorning it are believed to represent three Carniolan rivers, the Sava, the Ljubljanača, and the Karka. Ljubljana Cathedral. Located in the heart of Ljubljana Old Town, the Saint Nicholas Cathedral is just a short walk from the Central Market and Town Hall. Ljubljana Cathedral was originally a Gothic church. In the early 18th century, it was replaced by a Baroque building. The church is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen and boatmen. The most outstanding 20th century additions include main entrance door relief, depicting the history of Slovenia, commissioned to mark the 1250th anniversary of Christianity in Slovenia, and side doors with portraits of bishops. Ljubljana Castle. Ljubljana Castle is the city's main tourist attractions, standing on a hill above the city for about 900 years. To get to the top of the hill, you can either walk or take the funicular. The funicular has the starting point on Krekov Square by the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre. Different tickets with different accesses are available. We suggest purchasing a one-way ticket up to the top and then walking down. The castle's outlook tower and ramparts offer some of the most beautiful views of the city, while the castle houses a museum exhibition on Slovenian history, a puppet museum, and a number of historical rooms such as the Chapel of Saint George, the prison, and a video presentation room called Virtual Castle. Ljubljana Castle also provides space for art exhibitions, houses a cafe, a nightclub, a wine bar, and two restaurants, and serves as a venue for cultural events. Its first inhabitants were the Spanheim family of Corinthian dukes, who settled here during the 12th century before the Habsburgs took over residence in the 14th century. Thereafter, the castle was used as a barracks, a provincial jail, and as a refuge for the poor. Today, the castle and its courtyard are among the best things to see in Ljubljana. San Carivo Embankment San Carivo Embankment is a beautiful waterfront promenade running along the Ljubljana River. The area is a popular spot amongst locals and tourists alike, who come to enjoy a drink or a meal overlooking the river. The promenade is named after Slovene writer Ivan Sanka. There are plenty of great bars and restaurants to enjoy along the waterfront. Butcher's Bridge The Butcher's Bridge is the most unusual bridge in Ljubljana. It connects the central market's colonnade with the Petkovšek Embankment. It is a place where lovers have symbolically padlocked their love and dropped the keys into the river Ljubljanača, which flows underneath. This pedestrian bridge is also home to several creepy statues and sculptures by the Slovenian sculptor Jokul Brodar. Congress Square In the newer part of Ljubljana lies another of the main squares in Ljubljana, Congress Square. Its south end, the site of the former provincial mansion, is now occupied by the University of Ljubljana building. Not far away from it, is the Slovenian Philharmonic building and next to it a Biedermeier building housing the oldest Slovenian publishing house, Slovenska Matica, established in 1894. The north end of the square is occupied by the neoclassical Kazina building. The Zvezda Park, which stretches across the central part of the square, is the site of several historical attractions. Ursuline Church of the Holy Trinity Officially Holy Trinity Parish Church in Ljubljana is located at Slovene Street, along the western border of Congress Square. It was built between 1718 and 1726 in the Baroque style. Ljubljanača Boat Cruise Take a ride on one of the tourist boats, which will take you beneath impressive bridges, past the main sights of the center of the city and its green surroundings. The boat ride lasts 45 minutes. Tivoli Park Tivoli Park is the biggest and most beautiful park in Ljubljana, lying west of the city center. It was designed in 1813 by the engineer Jean Blanchard. National Gallery of Slovenia The National Gallery of Slovenia is the main art museum in Slovenia that holds the country's largest fine art collection, from the late medieval period up to the early 20th century. Slovenian National Opera and Ballet Theater Slovenian National Opera and Ballet Theater was built between 1890 and 1892, to a near-renaissance design by the Czech architects Jan Rásky and Anton Rubi. Museums in Ljubljana Ljubljana has many museums you can visit and learn more about the city, the country and their culture. Our favorites include the City Museum, National Museum of Slovenia, Museum of Illusions, Slovenian Ethnographic Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Matelkova. Day Trips from Ljubljana Ljubljana is a beautiful city and a great place to base yourself to explore more of the country. With that in mind, here are some perfect options for day trips from Ljubljana, Cran, Postojna Caves, Lake Bled, Lake Bohin, etc. Hopefully, this Ljubljana travel guide will help you organize your trip to that gorgeous city. Thank you very much for watching and see you again soon!