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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.

Beer shops @ Ljubljana

6/3/2018

Let me tell you about my three favorite beer shops. There are more specialized beer shops in the city, but the one mentioned here are the one I enjoy visiting.

The pioneer in beer shops in Ljubljana is Pivoljub, roughly translated as Beerophile, and is still an important dot on a beer-lovers map. They are the biggest shop and, as they like to say, sell beers at affordable price. I would most certainly add knowledgeable sellers, like the one at my last visit, when I witnessed short lecture on which beer should be served in which glass.

Not sure about that? You might visit Pivoljub or, what we heard at the end of the lecture, no matter the glass, the objective is to enjoy your beer.

Že v redu, Primož is what I call the funkiest beer shop at one of the best streets in central Ljubljana, Trubarjeva cesta Street or Trubar Street if you prefer. Mr. Trubar, Primož Trubar is author of first printed book in Slovenian, that was published long ago in year 1550. As you might have guessed until now, the name of the shop refers to namesake of the street.

Apart from an amazing location, this beer shop does have a refrigerator. This means, that when it is not freezing outside, summer should do, you can buy cold beer here and continue exploring streets of Ljubljana or just sit down outside, like by the river or in the park or wherever excites you.

A bit away from the main tourist track lies beer shop Craft Pivo, or Craft Beer in English. Their focus is mainly on foreign craft beer offer and often get an exclusive barrel or two for the next door pub Godec. They host smaller events, like some new Slovenian or foreign craft brewery presentation, education on beer and similar.
Last but not least, there is a BIT coin ATM at the entrance of the shop.

Museum of Illusions @ Ljubljana

26/2/2018

Are you cold out there, wandering on the streets of Ljubljana? Go inside and warm up. We decided to visit Museum of Illusions where we most certainly did warm up...floating under the ceiling, wandering who is bigger,

or whose face is in the mirror, trying to count ourselves in the infinity room...

Our heads were spinning, mind was dared, eyes challenged, motion doubted and many more in the Museum of Illusions in Ljubljana.

It is located very centrally at the Congress Square and offers quite some fun time, of course it all depends how much time you want to spend there and if your company is any fun. Mine was.

Tektonik Brewery

7/2/2018

Very serious beer. At least so are the guys from Brewery Tektonik claiming. And when we visited them the other day we got sure about how serious they really are. They are.

For now still the most centrally positioned brewery is situated in an ex print shop of one of the biggest Slovenian daily newspapers named Delo.

Their most recognizable beers are Iggy (IPA), Dizzy (IPA Amerikana), Hercule (Witbier) and Normal (Pale Ale, the only one that is in 0.5 l bottles). But they are also playing around with some used wooden barrels, from wine and even whiskey.

As brewery itself is not a place for visitors, Tektonic is preparing to open a new tap room in the coming months. But until then you can purchase their beer in food shops, grocery stores and in many bars across Ljubljana

Good move

14/12/2017

I love board games. Analog board games that requires good old analog company. If you like them as well, you should check out Slovenia's first #BoardGameCafe.

Dobra poteza, board game cafe, is just behind the main train station in Ljubljana and offers hours of fun

On my first visit there Jure, game guru, introduced us a few easy games to get warmed up. I had a little wish, probably not the most typical wish there, for board games to be as photogenic as possible. I liked his choice, The most photogenic of them all was Hamster's wheel, that you can see on the upper pictures. It was also nice warm up game.

Before the Wheel we tried Eureka! I loved it, it seems very easy, but it is quite challenging as it requires players to be very quick.

Mikado 2.0, or Cuckoo's nest, both are my favorite names for the game that you can see bellow, none of it is the official name, though. It requires some steady hands, which might be hard as in Dobra poteza (that translates as Good Move) have very nice beer offer, about 60 of them and Slovenian craft beer Pelicon on tap!

They have a treatment for coffee lovers as well as they have the fair trade coffee that is now, luckily, spreading in Ljubljana cafes. Thank you Buna.

For playing games you pay 2 € (per person) and you can play any game that day for as long as you like. And you can choose among 350 games!

Loo-blah-nah aka Lublana

1/12/2017

The capital beer, as they like to call themselves, shares it's name and a symbol with a city Ljubljana. Loo-blah-nah is a phonetic transcription of Ljubljana in a slang of Ljubljana residents, for English speakers. And of course, dragon is the symbol.

I visited them on the outskirts of Ljubljana, in Črnuče area, while main brewer Domen was making magic.

I learned many things on beer brewing and of course tasted a few of their beers. Their parade horse is English Pale Ale, which is very drinkable, light and fresh. Next are IPA, Amber Ale, Golden Ale and brewers favorite Belgian style.

Like the dragon is omnipresent in Ljubljana, almost the same is with Loo-blah-nah beer as it can be found in many bars, like: Lepa Žoga, Biljardna hiša, Old Scottish pub, Guinness pub, Forum, Prulček, Platana, Kavarna SEM, Sputnik, Dvorni bar, Gas Station, Irish pub...

Looblahnah is not present only in liquid state but also on T-shirts and sweaters. Cheers!

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.

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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