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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.;)

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.

Moon Bay

14/6/2017

For some of you this may come as a surprise, but Slovenia has a coastline on Adriatic Sea, which is part of Mediterranean Sea. It's not long, only 46.6 km, but still worth the visit. I won't start with most popular place here, Piran, but with something more natural.

Probably there are thousands bays around the World carrying the same name as our Moon Bay, but there is only one in Slovenia. And it is unique.

This relatively small bay is surrounded by a flysch cliff, which is certainly not monotonous. Constant change of stratums makes you wonder if that could possibly be natural work. It is. To access the beach one has to walk for a few minutes down hill. This is the easy part, the ascend, especially on a hot summer day is more challenging.

But if you like natural, not too crowded beaches, Moon Bay is worth the walk.

The greenest neighborhood in Ljubljana

15/5/2017

Straight from the shoulder, the most green neighborhood of Ljubljana is Murgle. Murgle is very well known among the locals, mainly because hot shots like former presidents lives there (Milan Kučan) but also because of its green urban plan.

The idea behind the residential development was designing family houses with gardens and other green spaces and while keeping to as few cars as possible. One block of houses is approximately 35 houses connected with foot paths and surrounded by a small street, where the parking spaces and garages are ‘stashed’. And this was built in the 1970s, in our long-departed Yugoslavia!

Semi-detached or single ground-floor houses, each with an atrium, are planned simply but with extra caution with their ground-level plans to be utterly functional. Architectural plans incorporated nature in every possible detail, from sun movement to positioning houses to fit the environment that was here before. Trees along old ditches were suddenly the theme for the newly built streets of the Murgle neighborhood.

And this is the most unique aspect that you can find here. There are some streets around Slovenia that carry names from trees, but Murgle consists only of those.

‘Beneath the birches’, ‘Beneath the oaks’, ‘Beneath the chestnuts’, Beneath the alders’, Beneath the linden trees’, Beneath the ash trees’ and others.

These streets got their names from the trees growing in that street. So imagine a beautiful walk, a relaxing bike ride and learning all the trees you might have forgotten in a quiet and charming neighborhood, Murgle. No tourists there, guaranteed.

The most photogenic waterfall

8/5/2017

Many people call this waterfall, Waterfall Kozjak, one of the most beautiful or one of the most picturesque waterfalls of them all. I would definitely agree with them.

It is situated not too far from Kobarid in western Slovenia. The trail to the waterfall starts not far from town Kobarid, near the Kobarid – Drežnica road. Coming from Kobarid, there is a turnoff to the falls soon after the intersection beside the Napoleon Bridge.

The trail is undemanding and quite rewarding at the end. A perfect combination for many. The last part of the trail takes you through the forest along the Kozjak stream, but you don’t get to see the waterfall till the very end, since it is caught within a stony natural amphitheater.

You reach the waterfall by crossing elevated wooden bridge-trails, which lead you to the edge of a cave. The waterfall itself is only 15 m tall, but as I said,it is truly beautiful.

Around Ljubljana

5/5/2017

There are a few events in Ljubljana that bring together young and old and if you happen to be in Ljubljana tomorrow, consider yourself lucky.

This years is the 61st edition of march along where used to be a barbed wire fence which surrounded Ljubljana during World War II. It is approximately 35 km long path leading around Ljubljana and there are 8 points (a bar, shop or a restaurant) which can serve as starting or ending point. Of course you can only join for a little part of the circle if you don't feel like marching all the way.

On the eight points you can get a paper for collecting stamps on every point. You don't need to finish the circle in one year, though. And even if you are not here tomorrow you can pick up your paper for collecting stamps any day in the tourist information center and start walking. The stamps are in restaurants through the year.

PST, as is most often called by the locals, meaning The Path of Remembrance and Comradeship (Pot spominov in tovarištva) is popular for recreational run, bike ride, walk and even cross-country skiing in the winter. Today they are promoting it under more contemporary name: The Green Ring, but note that signs on the path refer to it as POT (which means a path).

One of the most spectacular trails

3/5/2017

It is strictly personal, but Škocjan Education Trail is one of the most spectacular one in the country. And even though you don't need to be very fit to manage this trail, you will be highly rewarded. I can't emphasize this enough, but for everyone on the lazy side, I assure you, it is not a hard walk.

50 minutes
2 kilometers
sports footwear

The trail is circular and explanatory signs with illustrations, photographs and a short text begin in front of the Information Centre in Matavun, that is where tickets for Škocjan Caves tours are purchased. With signs you'll be able to understand the natural phenomena and cultural heritage. The walk will take you through villages Škocjan, Matavun and Betajna, into the karst doline, huge sink hole, and to the edge of the abyss. Amazing vies, tranquil nature and antique villages. A must do while in Slovenia. And absolutely free.

Hen Hill

19/4/2017

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.

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.

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.

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