Most popular Museums in Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a capital of Slovenia. It offers all the comforts of large capitals, but it has also preserved uniqueness and friendliness of its own.

Ljubljana is known for its tradition and historical heritage while being a relatively young town with a modern lifestyle. It has a large number of both national museums and those presenting the history of the city. Its leading art museums are the Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery.

National Museum of Slovenia
Slovenia’s leading museum of national history has many finds from Slovenia, one of the most outstanding being a 55,000 year old Neanderthal flute.

City Museum of Ljubljana
At the City Museum of Ljubljana you can see a permanent exhibition of the history of life in Ljubljana, entitled The Faces of Ljubljana, take a walk along a 1st century Roman road, and meet the Water Man.

Plečnik House
Get to know the work and life of the famous architect Jože Plečnik, who left an indelible mark on the townscape of Ljubljana. At Plečnik House you can admire his home exactly as it was in his lifetime and view a permanent exhibition.

Slovene Ethnographic Museum
The Museum’s permanent exhibition presents Slovenian and non-European cultural heritage related to ceremonial and everyday life. Free admission is every first Sunday of the month.

Museum of Architecture and Design – Fužine Castle
The Museum of Architecture and Design is Slovenia’s leading museum of urban planning, architecture, graphic and industrial design, and photography. Since 1973, the museum has been organizing the Ljubljana Biennial of Industry Design.

Brewery Museum
The Museum’s collection offers a comprehensive overview of the history of Ljubljana’s Pivovarna Union brewery, beer production and activities related to brewing.

National Museum of Contemporary History
The Museum, dedicated to presenting Slovenian history from beginning of the 20th century, keeps collections on the First and Second World Wars, the period between the two wars, the Socialist period, and the establishment of Slovenia as an independent state.

Slovenian Museum of Natural History
The Museum has extensive botanical, zoological and geological collections including practically all animal and plant species and minerals from Slovenia.

Virtual Castle
The Virtual Museum, presenting the history of Ljubljana from antiquity to the present day, is Slovenia’s first museum to be based on virtual reality technology. It is housed in Ljubljana Castle’s Outlook Tower.

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Nature and parks in Ljubljana

The Tivoli Park

The Tivoli Park is Ljubljana’s most beautiful and largest park, stretching into the town centre. It was created by joining together the parks which had surrounded Cekin and Podturn Mansions. It was designed in 1813 by the Jean Blanchard, French engineer. The park, is crossed by three horse chestnut tree-lined walks, interesting trees and many fountains and statues.

Roznik Hill

Roznik is a small wooded hill accessible by several recreational trails and footpaths from Tivoli Park. It is a popular spot for local walkers. The hilltop is the site of a church of the Visitation, redesigned by the architect Zulliani in the 18th century. A little down the hill from the church, the Pri Matiji inn is located, where they offer delicious food and drinks.

Castle Hill

The hill rising above the historical town centre of Ljubljana, is criss-crossed by walking paths and covered with woods. The top of the hill is accessible by footpaths leading from all town directions. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the top. At the top of the Ljubljana Castle hill there are lookout points offering amazing views across the townscape and the Kamnik Alps.

Park Spica

Park Spica is a renovated Ljubljanica river embankment landscaped as a park. In the past, Spica was a town beach. It is located only ten minutes walk from the historical town centre of Ljubljana. Because of its large area paved with wood and green surroundings, it attracts many visitors and residents wanting to relax in the sun.

Ljubljana Botanical Garden

The Ljubljana Botanical Garden was established in 1810. It is Slovenia’s oldest scientific, cultural and educational institution operating uninterruptedly since its foundation. The Garden has more than 4500 species and subspecies. The Garden’s big tropical glasshouse offers you an opportunitiy to view plants typical of tropical forests.

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Ljubljana Tivoli Park

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Ljubljana Castle View Point

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Ljubljana Park Spica

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Ljubljana Botanical Garden

Dragon Bridge in Ljubljana

Ljubljana is the capital and largest town in Slovenia. It has been the educational, cultural, political, economical and administrative centre of Slovenia since 1991. Ljubljana’s top attractions are Ljubljana Castle, Plecnik’s Ljubljana, Central Market, Dragon Bridge, Presernov trg Square with the Franciscan Church, the Cathedral, the City Museum of Ljubljana, Town Hall, National Gallery of Slovenia and Tivoli Park.

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The dragon represents a symbol of Ljubljana. It has been reigning in the town coat of arms since the late Middle Ages. Imposing designed dragonfly sculptures at the Dragon Bridge are both spectacular and dreadful at the same time. The Dragon Bridge appears in the most noticeable photos of Ljubljana. The four dragon statues are a showpiece which has been rousing imagination since the bridge was built in 1901.

The Dragon Bridge is an excellent example of Art Nouveau architecture and a special formation considered to be a remarkable piece of technical heritage. It was Ljubljana’s first fortify concrete structure and one of the largest bridges of its kind to be built in Europe. It replaced an old wooden bridge named Butchers’ Bridge, which has been on its side from 1819.

At the time of its opening, it was named the Jubilee Bridge of Emperor Franz Joseph I. The construction plans for the bridge were prepared by Professor Josef Melan, a popular engineer. The bridge was supposed to be decorated with winged lions instead of dragons. It was the first structure in Slovenia to be paved with asphalt. The bridge was given its Art Nouveau appearance by the famous Dalmatin architect Jurij Zaninovic.

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The city of Zadar

Zadar is the oldest continuously inhabited town in Croatia, located in the heart of the Adriatic. It is the urban center of northern Dalmatia as economic, administrative, political and cultural center of the region with 75.000 inhabitants. Zadar is a city of touristm as well as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar. It is known as a city of exceptional history and rich cultural heritage. It is a city monument, surrounded by historical ramparts, a treasury of the monumental and archaeological riches of ancient and medieval times, Renaissance and many contemporary architectural achievements such as the first sea organs in the world. Zadar is a city where huge spaces are left for pedestrians.

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Novi trg Square in Ljubljana

Novi trg Square is an open space in the centre of Ljubljana’s quarter extending between the Vegova ulica street, the Križanke Summer Theatre and Dvorni trg square. The area was only incorporated into the city and its walls in the 14th century. A new city gate was built near the present Dvorni trg square and named Vice Duke’s Gate, which stood on the site of the present University of Ljubljana building. The buildings surrounding Novi trg included the Carniolan provincial palace called Lontovž and Auersperg Palace, Ljubljana’s most beautiful Baroque palace. It was destroyed in the earthquake of 1895. The site of the latter is now occupied by the National and University Library, built by the famous architect Jože Plečnik.

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Romantic towns in Croatia

Croatia has many romantic towns, but the most beautiful are situated by the coast. They attract with secluded beaches, rich historical past, medieval appearance, amazing parks and many opportunities for romantic walks along the sea, candlelight dinner and discovering many hidden places. Among them are Dubrovnik, Opatija, Poreč, Rovinj and Pula. Dubrovnik is undoubtedly the most romantic, and best known tourist destination in Croatia. Long romantic promenades and the most beautiful parks of Croatia embellish Opatija. Once a small fishing village, Poreč represents one of the brightest jewels of Croatian tourism. Rovinj has romantic views, for which it is known as the city of romance. Pula, like ancient Romes, was also built on seven hills and all roads on the istrian peninsula lead to Pula. The most impressive and romantic ancient town monument is Arena.

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Motovun

With our first glance at Motovun it will become clear that we are approaching an extraordinary medieval town. It is situated on top of a hill and it is a city dominated by the architecture of the Venetian era. Motovun has recently become a popular tourist destination and is visited by many tourists staying on the west coast of Istria. The Motovun forest is a real treasure trove of truffles, an underground mushroom, which represent an appreciated gastronomic specialty, also considered an aphrodisiac.

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Rovinj – the city of romance

Rovinj is one of the most beautiful mediterranian towns. It is located on the western coast of Istria. Rovinj is surrounded by gentle, wooded hills that protect it of the bora wind, so it has been the ideal enjoyment and holiday destination for over a century. Besides its romantic views, for which it is known as the city of romance, the beauty of Rovinj is reflected in the nearby archipelago of 22 islands. Among them the most beautiful and the largest are the St. Catherine and the St. Andrews islands. The patron saint of Rovinj is named Saint Eufemia.

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Three symbols of Bled

Bled is one of the most wonderful alpine resorts. It is known for the Lake Bled, which makes it a major tourist attraction. On a rock overlooking the lake is the magnificent Bled Castle. A small island in the middle of the Lake Bled is home to Assumption of Mary Pilgrimage Church. Three symbols of Bled are the Bled delicious cream cake, the traditional Pletna boat and the coachmen Fijaker. The Pletna oarsmen await you in the Rowing centre Bled, in Mlino, under the Park Hotel Bled and in the Spa Park. Fijakers or cabs are open carriages with a very long tradition in Bled. You can take a romantic ride with the Fijaker around the Lake Bled.

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Mali Lošinj

Mali Lošinj is the largest town on the island of Lošinj. It has developed in the thirteenth century from a settlement called Malo selo in a bay under Varšak. The name Lošinj was first mentioned in documents dating to 1384. The main square is triangular in shape and the construction of its seafront has been completed in 1926. The fountain on the square depicts two dolphins that spew fresh water coming from the Vranjsko lake. The fisherman sculpture is a symbol of Mali Lošinj competitions in underwater fishing. To the beautiful parish church of the Birth of Mary lead 245 steps.

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