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Congress Square - Kongresni trg

26/4/2017

Sunny day attracts young crowd to gather and sit on the grass of the Star Park (park Zvezda) which is part of a Congress Square (Kongresni trg). They chill, talk, read... on the grounds that was reconstructed in 1821 for the Congress of the Holy Alliance and then again by Jože Plečnik, just before the second world war.

In the park you can drink water from a fountain that was placed on the exact location as it was in 17th century in the courtyard of Capuchin Monastery, that was still standing at the time. Most common meeting point in the park is statue of an anchor, the statue that symbolizes victory over Italians in the second World War. The rumor goes that the anchor is from famous Italian ocean liner Rex, but that is not true.

The most famous buildings here are the former Provincial Mansion, where the Congress took place - today's University of Ljubljana, the Slovenian Philharmonic, the Biedermeier building housing the oldest Slovenian publishing house, neoclassical Kazina - now a dance school - and Ursuline Church. In the square there is a replica of a golden Roman statue found among the ruins of Emona, a Biedermeier bandstand with concerts in the summer and a Roman well.

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Beautiful Roman Necropolis

24/4/2017

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If you love old stones, then visiting Roman Necropolis at Šempeter near Celje, is a must.

This truly remarkable remains were protected by pure coincidence. River Savinja has once in the past flooded the Roman cemetery, putting down marvelously carved tombstones and burying them in the mud, thus protecting them.

Today all the findings are gathered in a park. Take time, check out the relieves on the tombs, you'll see many antique mythology and get to know some pieces about Roman lifestyle.

Try and find the relief on story about Zeus and Europe, which graphic can be found in Slovenian passport.

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Hen Hill

19/4/2017

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Kokoš - name of a hill - might remind you of a coconut but it has nothing to do with it. Kokoš is a hen. Or, in this case, a hill that offers an easy and pleasant walk.

1 h walk
230 m ascent
sports footwear needed

You can start the trip on Karst Plateau (Kras) in a village called Lokev. The signs are easy to find in this tiny village and the trail is well marked. At first the slope is gentle and then it become more steep. On top of Kokoš there is a nice Mediterranean style mountain hut with simple offer.

If you are in the area on 30 April, be sure to join the traditional, organized night hike that commences at Bazovica on the Itaian side of the border.

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Bled Gorge, the most vertical sight

12/4/2017

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When I was preparing photographs for the Vintgar Gorge I have realized I have none landscape oriented. Gorge, as you probably all know, is incredibly narrow valley that was carved through millenniums by the stream, Radovna in this case.

In fact it is so narrow there is no natural path to walk through the gorge. Luckily eager members of tourist association have placed more than a century ago wooden trail and made it easily visited.

It's vicinity to Bled and very easy accessible made it exceedingly popular among tourists. Since there is just one path it is not easy to escape the crowds and it just might be possible, that you get stuck in a slow paced crowd. Which wouldn't be a big problem by itself. But if you are In search of some good photographs you might need your own pace. But don't panic. There are still options. The best is to come as early as possible. If you like sleeping late, don't worry you will still be able to escape the crowd on some places.

The gorge is closed in the winter and it is expected to be opened next week (17. April 2017).

In case you were wondering, I cropped a picture to get panorama at the top of this article.

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Sweet Ljubljana

10/4/2017

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Cake Ljubljana is not an old thing but designed thoughtfully a few years ago. The idea was to make a cake that will, like Ljubljana as the capital city does, present all of Slovenia. The cake is delicious combination of all Slovenian culinary regions.

Buckwheat flour comes from the Alpine world, home of the famous Bled. Dry figs and almonds are from the Mediterranean; pumpkin seeds come from the Pannonian region, and chestnuts and honey can be from many places around Slovenia.

You can try it out at Ljubljana central market, under the Plečnik Arcades in the place called Torta Ljubljana, which you probably get, means Cake Ljubljana.

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Castle Castle

7/4/2017

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Sometimes names are quite simple and this is the case with Slovenian biggest castle. Its name is simply Castle. So castle Castle lies in a village named, and I am not kidding, Castle. That means that in a Castle there is a castle Castle.

But let's focus now on another interesting thing from previous paragraph, i.e. Castle is the biggest castle in our country. The biggest for its number of rooms. They say there is one room for every day of the year.

The Castle was first mentioned in 1208 and over the centuries it obtained, apart from many rooms, its funky, asymmetrical, multi-cornered shape. Today it is a museum, venue for smaller events and administrative and reception center of the Goričko-Örség-Raab Tri-Lateral Nature Park.

Part of the castle has been renovated and they made even a few nice double rooms for rent. Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to sleep there, but I am sure it has a special feel to sleep there.

Obviously the renovated part attracts bigger crowd, but I assure you that walking through the non renovated part has a particular feel.

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Shoemakers, Plečnik and the bridge

5/4/2017

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Cobblers’ Bridge, known also as a Shoemaker Bridge got its name from the many past shoemakers’ workshops on the bridge. Back at those days it looked similar than today’s famous Ponte Vecchio, Old Bridge in Florence, Italy.

But the history has started even before. Before shoemakers' there were butchers shops on the wooden bridge. At that time the butchers were throwing their trash right into the river to be washed away. But the smell was not that easy to get rid of and soon many people were complaining about it. Eventually the Emperor paid to have them relocated.

Today’s bridge was designed in the 1930s by Jože Plečnik and his idea was to make a town square above the water. The bridge kept this function until today, as it is still the place with minor events, like concerts, street theater or even the art market extends onto the bridge.

On each side are six pillars, which remain from originally planned roof. From the bridge there is a particular view of the castle and absolutely astonishing view of old houses on the embankment of River Ljubljanica, adorned by weeping willows, sunbathing in afternoon sun.

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Spring is here, time for mini golf?

3/4/2017

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Spring is back and eighties are also back. Well, if we want to be honest, they have been for a while. But when was the last time when you've played mini golf?
You can play it while visiting Ljubljana, mingling among mainly locals. Mini golf is situated almost at the centre of Ljubljana, at the edge of a Tivoli park, near the sport halls and National Museum of Contemporary History.

You check in, rent golf clubs and ball in a bar, little wooden house alongside the mini golf playground. They have children’s golf clubs as well. Mini golf has 18 holes, each with its own trick to figure out. Playing is not limited by time.

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Tjaša

After writing a blog in Slovenian language for 10 years I have finally come to my sense and started writing one in English as well.

I'll share with you beautiful places worth visiting in Slovenia and around it. I'll also talk about general things tourist should know and of course I'll write about food, drinks and accommodation, essentials for any visitor.

I am writing about my personal recommendations that are not influenced by any sponsors. But please, don't expect new post every day. ;)

Tjaša

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