Ljubljana at a glance
All about Ljubljana in one place
Geographically Ljubljana lies at an altitude of 298m above sea level, between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. It spreads over 275m2 and has a population of 280,000. The climate is continental, with an average temperature 3.2˚ C in January and 21.5˚ C in July. Time zone is Central European (GMT +1). The summer daylight saving rules observed is the same as in the European Union.
The city has twice experienced major earthquakes: first in 1511 and second in 1895, when almost the whole town was destroyed in this natural catastrophe. Reconstruction gave Ljubljana its new look, several new streets and a large number of beautiful Art Nouveau style buildings were constructed which are still pride of the city itself. As new European metropolis Ljubljana is preserving the character of a »green city«, its dimensions and convenient living standards make it nice place to live in. A rich historical heritage and a significant geographical position manifest in a strong local character with some influence both from Central European countries and the Mediterranean ones as it is only a 250 km drive to Venice, Italy and 380 km to Vienna, Austria.
The city development on one hand follows the tradition of prominent architects and founders of the modern city image such as Plečnik, Fabiani, Šubič and Ravnikar and on the other hand they opens up in a traditionally multicultural space with new designs of Slovenian and foreign architects. The shaped image of the public space and remarkable architecture are predominant public values. The vibrant Old Town is gradually reshaping and becoming even more popular hang out place in summer and very vivid also in winter. There is a flea market on weekends, workshops for children, galleries and independent theatres with their open-air performances. There are over 40 festivals going on in summer and we guarantee you will have a problem to decide what to select.
If you walk up to the Castle hill you can admire the whole city. One of the most amazing attractions is its central food market. The market - as most of the city centre, including the Triple Bridges (Tromostovje) - was designed by greatest Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik (1872-1957). He studied with famous Austrian architect Otto Wagner and build extensively in Vienna and Prague. After his return to Ljubljana, he left an enormous mark on the city with his designs: civic improvements including new bridges, waterfront, banks of the Ljubljanica River; new food market buildings, plazas, and parks; Žale cemetery; and major office buildings such as Triglav Insurance Company Palace (Its main entrance, located at the corner of the building, leads to a famous trapezoidal staircase adorned with marble columns.) and the monumental National and University Library and close by the Križanke summer theatre. In Ljubljana suburbs there is worth visiting Church of St. Michael on the Marsh (Barje). In his style he developed his own modern organic mode of ornament in rejection of decorative Secession style.
Opposite river bank side of the Ljubljanica River the new innovative Center of Contemporary Arts is rising and making new artistic district, evolving as a link between the Academies of Arts, the Museum Center and the renewed Alternative Culture Center Metelkova.
Two major parks (Tivoli park and Žale park) and very vivid river banks make Ljubljana stunning attraction for visitors and its inhabitants. But if you are not into urban areas, Alps (serious mountaineering and skiing in winter) are just one hour drive to the west, and the city of Piran - a magic Venetian architecture gem - is an hour drive to the south of Slovenia. And not to mention many possibilities for any kind of outdoor sports activities. To put it simply: here you can have it all within an hour drive.
