Ljubljana - The Capital of Slovenia
Ok guys, a lot of you know I am from Slovenia, and since the country is not widely famous, I decided to write a card to kind of present it to you. So, I hope you will like my quick presentation of a capital of Slovenia, and also a place where I spent most of my time, because of studying.
Ljubljana has no world-famous attractions, which is just great: there's no need to hop from one place to another, taking photos and crossing the items on your checklist. You have all the time to stroll around and enjoy the city itself. In the summer, its center hosts a number of city sponsored events, from children workshops and public playgrounds on the streets that get closed for traffic for the occasion, to Trnfest's off-beat street performances and musical events of all genres. In autumn it shows its academic face as it fills again by students of the state's largest university to whom the city owes much of its youthful character. Cold December days are warmed by thousand of lights, the new year's decoration conceived by local artists, and by food and drinks sold from street stands on the banks of Ljubljanica river. After surviving the boring gray remaining of winter, the city erupts again with spring flowers planted on its streets and crossroads.
Located at the middle of a trade route between the northern Adriatic Sea and the Danube region, it was the historical capital ofCarniola, a Slovene-inhabited part of Austria-Hungary, and it has been the cultural, educational, economic, political, and administrative center of independent Slovenia since 1991.
Ljubljana ("lyoob-lyAH-nah") is a charming city full of artists, museums, and galleries. With a population of 300,000, it is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe.
The main language of the city is unsurprisingly Slovenian. Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian is generally understood by most people and frequently spoken fluently by adults, especially those over the age of 40. Most of citizens speak at least some English, many, especially those under age of 30, speak it fluently. It's also worth trying any major European language you speak as you just might be understood. Triple Bridge (Tromostovje), designed by Jože Plečnik, consists of three separate picturesque bridges located next to one another. The neighboring Prešeren square with the statue of Slovenian greatest poet France Prešeren is the central location of downtown Ljubljana and a common meeting point. Across Ljubljanica to the left is Open Market and the Dragon Bridge. Squeezed between the castle hill and Ljubljanica river is the old town with two squares, Mestni trg (City square) with the Robba fountain and the city hall behind it, and, further on, Gornji trg (Upper square). Well preserved medieval buildings now house local designer shops, and several popular cafes and restaurants. Although they may look creepy, the perfectly safe narrow lanes lead to charming little squares and buildings. Zmajski Most (Dragon Bridge), completed in 1901, designed by Croatian Jurij Zainovich. It is guarded by four detailed dragon statues from the city's coat-of-arms. You have to be careful around the Dragon Bridge area, as it is on a major busy road just outside the pedestrian zone and near misses (and worse) between inattentive tourists and traffic are common. Ljubljana Castle - You can catch the "tourist train" from the Triple Bridge to the castle, or walk up the (quite steep) hill to the castle. The tower has magnificent views all over the city. You can also see the Sava River and Kamnik Alps in the distance. Btw, I live just under the castle, so 10 minutes walk to to top. Metelkova City - A self-declared autonomous culture place to gather for alternative artists, many subcultures and youth. What used to be a military barracks is now full of underground artists, bars and nightclubs. Metelkova can get crowded on Fridays and Saturdays. This is an awesome place to party. Tivoli Park is the main city park. You can sit down on a park bench and enjoy the sun. There is also a childern's playground and a lot of paths to walk. Ljubljana Zoo is considered one of the most beautiful Zoos of Europe. I don't this so, tho. Ljubljana Botanic Garden is the oldest Slovene cultural, scientific and educational institution. It was founded in 1810, the time of the Illyrian Provinces, as a garden of native flora and a section of the Central School (École Centrale). In the garden is also tropical glasshouse. So, this is a quick intrudaction to the Capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana. It is a city worth visiting. It is suitable for younger and older generations. It is quite small (tho, the biggest city of Slovenia), so everything is reachable by your feet. We don't get a lot of famous people, like bands and singers here, because we are so small, tho Paris Hilton did came to Slovenia, but it was by mistake haha.
I hope you like this card, I would be really happy if you like it, clip it and comment it, because I want people to see and get to know Ljubljana. And if you want it, I can post pictures and write about other beautiful, even more greeny places of Slovenia, I know @TerrecaRiley would love it!
And if you guys (@marshalledgar @nicolejb @alywoah @onesmile @2littlelegs @allischaaff @NixonWoman @skee292 @shannonl5 @danidee @LauraFisher @buddyesd @LizArnone ...) every find yourself in Europe, somewhere near me, you are more than welcome to come and visit. We'll do some cocktails!
