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The gilt Emonian

15/2/2019

Have you heard that the only preserved monument for a civilian, i.e. regular person, like you or me, with a statue on a tall column in the entire territory of the Roman Empire, that means from Spain to UK to Syria to Egypt was excavated in Ljubljana?

Almost as tall as a real person (145 cm) reveals us a bit of Roman fashion of 2nd century. Clothing, shoes and of course hair style. The original so called Emonean (Person from town Emona, which was Ljubljana in Roman times, about 2 millennials ago.) was posing for me at National Museum. You can see it's copy standing tall at Congress Square in the centre of Ljubljana.

They discovered this copper statue in 1836 during the constructions of Kazina building, where it was probably buried by the Romans to protect it from possible (human) scavengers. It's reconstruction at Congress Square shows it as it was set initially: the statue was placed on a tall pillar above urn grave.

Unknown Plečnik's work

23/11/2017

It might seem that this will be a post about museum shop. But don't be fooled, what I am sharing with you it is almost unknown Plečnik's work, The ultimate architect of Ljubljana. And you can see it absolutely free.

Since he was a big fan of tradition, it is not difficult to understand that he responded to the request in 1939 to draw the plans for the interior of the shop that was going to sell traditional arts. Its original position was at Kongresni trg Square.

After 2nd World War Lectarija had its highs and lows and was later restored and now has a new permanent address at the Slovene Ethnographic Museum.

And it still kept it's original purpose as it sells handmade traditional products like Idrija lace, wooden and clay products, hand woven goods and hand painted beehive panels among others. There is also some unique jewelry from traditional materials from Slovene designers.

The shop is open the same as Slovene Ethnographic Museum is and you can enter without paying (museum) entrance ticket. Just let people at the counter know where you are going.

Deadly Walk

30/10/2017

Let's face it, cemetery has it's own feel, not necessarily pleasant to everyone. But nevertheless, it truly can be a great revelation of understanding the country better. And not to forget a beautiful, peaceful walk through outdoor gallery.

Ljubljana's cemetery, called Žale, is a remarkable piece of work, not only there is a breathtaking Garden of All Saints designed by Jože Plečnik also the rest of the cemetery is special to see.

There are a few possibilities how to see the cemetery, of course you can go there by yourself or self-guided with a book or an app, but the best is to go with a guide. I was surprised how much more did I not only understand, but even how much more did I see. Little details you would never noticed when visiting for the first time.

But be aware, cemetery is endless. Literally! You could spent hours there listening to all the stories. Apart from many Plečnik-connected stories there are historically interesting people buried there, many memorial statues and even cemeteries dedicated to first and /or second world war. And so much more!

Luckily the guide sees visitors limits, so the walk doesn't become deadly.;)

From Ljubljana with love

23/8/2017

Social Ljubljana Tour, named romantically - as a lot of things in sLOVEnia- Ljubljana with love, invites you to pay a visit to independent social companies that are part of a local ‘Think Social. Buy Local.’ movement.

While getting to know many stories of today's life in Slovenia and its capital you walk through the beautiful medieval part of Ljubljana and get to eat some food. Food with background, of course.

On this tour you visit two restaurants, one is the Slovenian equivalent to Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant, which trains and employs young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and the other employs people with learning disabilities.

For anyone that loves shopping there will be many opportunities to buy a special gift. Choosing from glamorous garbage, unique gifts made from reused or recycled things and materials, or digging into first thrift store in Slovenia. My favorite? "Plant me" souvenir.

One stop is very important for Slovenians and I am sure you might enjoy it too, that is to sit down and drink a cup of coffee. And yes, the story follows. The owner is all about coffee and has only fair trade or direct trade organic coffee and he is, naturally, roasting coffee himself. But don't worry, there is more. And you'll hear about it there.

Talking about social awareness goes together with sustainability and ecological movement so the tour reveals all about Green Ljubljana, the Green Capital of Europe 2016. Prepare to hear about water, trash, recycling management, shared bike system, so called gentlemen, parks, vegetable market and so on. .

The tour starts at Stari trg street next to the fountain (check the map below) with prior booking. Usually runs at lunch time but can be adopted to the needs of visitors.

Creative Children Workshops in the centre of Ljubljana

6/7/2017

Every sunny Sunday in this summer there is an extraordinary workshop for children in the center of Ljubljana. And when I say "in the centre" it means it can't be more central...at Prešern Square there is a cafe that hosts this workshop.

Probably the majority will be happy to hear that your child (or two) can join and be creative for free at any time among 11 AM and approx. 12:40 AM. Another important thing is that creativity speaks many languages and knowing Slovene language is not a must.

I visited a happy children bunch on a Sunday when dinosaurs were paying a visit. Colourful, moving and (luckily) kind dinosaurs. And many more where created.

KUD Galerija CCU is promoting and developing creativity with material that are friendly to nature and - of course - to kids. Each Sunday the workshop has different theme.

Mateja-saur and Simon-saur are the founders and creative masterminds that find creativity in anyone.

If visiting Ljubljana with a child, this is a perfect opportunity to let your child relax among his peers and to let your self having a long coffee (or whatever makes you happy) and indulge into always vibrant Prešern Square.

Ljubljana Alternative Tour

29/6/2017

A group most known for its graffiti tour of Ljubljana launched a new tour this May and I just had to check it out. I like seeing and hearing what fellow guides have to say, especially on one of my favorite subject, alternative view of Ljubljana.

The tour is great combination of street art and places that are part of alternative community and/or history. You can imagine that such tour can't be made without stopping at Social Center Rog and Autonomous Cultural Center Metelkova City among others, which you'll get to know on the tour.

Imagine knowing what numerous yellow dots in the town mean or why there are so many foxes sprayed...

The tour starts in the old Ljubljana and it is 2 hrs and 2.5 km long.

Shoemakers, Plečnik and the bridge

5/4/2017

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.

Park Tivoli

31/3/2017

Tivoli is Ljubljana's largest park, covering an area approximately 5 km2 and stretching right into the city centre. It is very popular among its residents and, similar to Central park in New York, offers space for recreation like jogging or strolling, offers shade in summer heat, has sports centre, 2 national museums National Museum of Contemporary History and International Centre of Graphic Arts, a greenhouse that can be visited and a few bars to refresh yourself.

The park has chestnut tree-lined walks, ornamental flower beds and numerous statues and fountains. If you go to Tivoli from Prešern Square you will first see Jakopič Promenade (Jakopičevo sprehajališče), designed by the architect Jože Plečnik which is now an outdoor venue for large-format photograph exhibitions.

Dragon Bridge

19/3/2017

Dragon Bridge is one of the main tourist attractions in Ljubljana. Everybody wants to see the famous Ljubljana dragon and have a picture with it so don’t be surprised to see tourist climbing up the Dragon Bridge.

The main question there is always: How many dragons are on the bridge? And when counting them, be sure to check if any of the dragons is wagging its tail. That means a virgin is crossing the bridge.

The bridge was built in 1901 and first named it a "Jubilee Bridge" in honor of Hapsburg Emperor Franz Josef's 40th anniversary of rule. Don’t forget, Ljubljana and Slovenia was at that time still part of the Austro Hungarian Empire. Bridge was one of the first creation built in Viennese Secession style (better known here as Art Nouveau) in Ljubljana, one of the first reinforced concrete bridges in Europe and first bridge in Slovenia paved with asphalt.

With the collapse of the empire in 1919 they changed the name into Dragon Bridge.

Dragon of Ljubljana

14/3/2017

Ljubljana Dragon

Ljubljana is believed to be the city of dragons, after all, there is a dragon in City of Ljubljana’s coat of arms on the top of the castle. We believe it symbolizes strength, courage and might, even though the Ljubljana dragon had to be killed, according to the legend, by Greek hero Jason, so the people of Ljubljana could live freely. This double standard is rather confusing, but so is the legend. There is also a Christian legend, that St. George was actually the one killing the dragon.

Anyhow, today we like the dragon and our ancestors from a century ago have put it onto the bridge, which is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Ljubljana. But this is not the only place to see Ljubljana dragon. While walking in the city, keep your eyes opened and you might see another one on somebody wall, fence…

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. ;)

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