Old Town Ljubljana
- Ljubljanica River, Dragon Bridge, Triple Bridge, Butcher's Bridge, Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Franciscan Church, Preseren Square, Cyril and Methodius Square, Gornji Square, Ljubljana Town Hall, Stari trg, Mestni trg, Central Market, Galerija Emporium
In the Old Town is the Cathedral, the Town Hall, Franciscan Church and the University, all very beautiful buildings. Along Ljubljanica River you find historical buildings and all along the central part of the river there are outdoor seatings with views of the river.
In the Old Town, that is located to the South and East of the Ljubljanica River (and partly along the West and North riverbank), you also find the many beautiful bridges that goes over the Ljubljanica River; Dragon Bridge (Zmajski Most) – the symbol of the city is a dragon and on the bridge there are a lot of dragon sculptures. It was completed in 1901 in Vienna Secesson style, Slovenia had just became part of the Austria-Hungarian Empire. Today it is for motorized traffic, but you can also walk across it. Triple Bridge (Tromostovje) are three concrete bridges right next to each other, above the river. The area around it is a pedestrian zone and the bridges are pedestrianized.
Next to the Triple Bridge is Prešeren Square (Prešernov trg), a central square on the medieval town’s entrance, that was renovated in 2007. Here you find the Prešeren Monument, a monument to the national poet France Prešeren (that also named the square), the Galerija Emporium department store with a statue on top and a classic interior, and the Central Pharmacy and the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation (Frančiškanska cerkev), a red and white baroque church built 1646-1660 (bell towers built later). The church is one of the symbols of the city. On the opposite, South side of the river, is another landmark church of Ljubljana, the cathedral.
Ljubljana Cathedral, also named Saint Nicholas's Church (cerkev sv. Nikolaja) is a baroque catholic church that replaced the original gothic one in the early 1700s. It is yellow, white and have significant green domes. This church was opened during our visit, so that we could go inside and see the very beautiful interior with all the paintings (there is a small entrance fee). Statues and baroque frescoes can be found in the building. Pogacar Square is situated in front of the church. On the other side is Cyril and Methodius Square (Ciril-Metodov trg) that is more a pedestrian street then a square. Here you find historical, beautiful buildings, special stores and restaurants with outdoor seatings. Ljubljana Central Market (Osrednja ljubljanska tržnica) is situated along the riverside, a market building designed by Jože Plečnik and built 1940-42. In 2010 the Butcher’s Bridge was built next to it in 2010, fullfilling the architect’s dreams. Part of the bridge has glass floors, so you can look down on the boats and the river. Along the sides of the bridge there were numerous love padlocks. There is a bizzare but very cool Satyr sculpture on Butcher's Bridge, and also a Prometheus sculpture. Everywhere in the Old Town there are grotesque Lovecraft inspired half human sculpture, a dark but lovley contrast to all the light baroque buildings! Another sculpture is one of Adam and Eve, expelled from paradise.
The Ljubljana Town Hall (Ljubljanska mestna hiša)is nearby. It was originally built in gothic style in 1484, but was renovated to a more baroque style in 1719. Town Square (Mestni trg), one of the city’s major squares, is facing the town hall, and the pedestrian street/square Ciril-Metodov trg goes in the other directon. Here you find the baroque replica of the Robba Fountain (the original is in the National Gallery). The ground is cobblestone.
Gornji Trg (Upper Square) is actually a street where just part of it is a square, that as many other pedestrian streets are called “square” for some reason. Along Gornji Trg you find historical buildings and open-air restaurants, it is a cobbed stone street and very charming. This area really comes alive after dark. The tallest church in Slovenia is the 69m tall St Joseph’s Church (Cerkev sv. Jozefa) from 1922, in the Southeast edge of the Old Town.
Between Gornji Trg, Levstikov trg and Rozna ulica you find the 2nd tallest church, the 65m tall St. James's Parish Church (župnijska cerkev sv. Jakoba). Karlovska cesta is a busy road with buildings passing over like a bridge.
Right above Ljubljana’s Old Town is the Ljubljana Castle (Ljubljanski grad), that stands on a high hill, and is one of the city’s major landmarks, it is featured in a separate part.
