Monthly Archives: October 2019

Nature and parks in Ljubljana

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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

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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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