 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 and under UNESCO heritage also the rest of the cemetery is beautiful to see.
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 Slovenia's surface - let's be honest - with it's 20,273 km2 is not too big. But have you heard about Slovenia's underground? At the moment we have counted over 13,000 caves and the number is changing constantly as Slovenian spelunkers are discovering new caves as we speak.
Most of the underground is not easily accessed, but we have more than 20 caves that can be visited easily and a few mines that offer tourist visits as well. Of those I chose three experiences that I have experienced and are my favorites.  One of architect Jože Plečnik's finest masterpieces is undoubtedly his realization of what is today called National and University Library, which they started building in 1937. From outside the building looks a lot different than any of its neighbors, attracting views with its mostly orange bricks and almost natural rocks facade. On two opposite facades two big windows are places, with ionic column in the middle. Most of the smaller windows are bay windows that for many interpreters of Plečnik's heritage mean books.  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,
 Above the city, quite typical for a Medieval European city, stands the castle. Ljubljana castle. It was built in 15th century by the Habsburgs, later renovated and in 19th century turned into a prison. Today it hosts a few permanent exhibitions, like Slovenian History and fun Museum of Puppetry, and often changing temporary exhibitions. There are two restaurants, a cafe, wine bar, souvenir shop and during the summer many events are organized in the courtyard.  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.  Does it sound amazing that they pulled out of the river beds around 2200 year old dugout canoe? Yes, it does sound amazing, because that is absolutely amazing. They found it a few decades ago but you can't just pull out such an old wooden object. It would be soon destroyed in changed environment.
They managed to do so in 2015 and I got to see it last year, well, one third of it, one day before they dipped it into last stage of conservation process, that lasts for about three years.  One of the most common questions I get from foreign visitors is whether it is more beautiful Postojna Cave or Škocjan Caves.
 Snežnik castle is one of the cutest Slovenian castles. Not too big, nicely preserved and in an idyllic environment.
And it is one of the few castles in Slovenia that can boast of original furnishings.  Unless you are not from Earth, you have probably realized that craft beer revolution has happened. Almost everywhere. Luckily Slovenia was not an exception.
Our pioneer is Human Fish Brewery, which, even after so many new beers popping out literally every day, still has the best name. In my opinion of course.  Among Slovenians Kočevje area is mainly known for it's endless forests, brown bears and secrets from cold war..
 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.
 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 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.  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.
 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.  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.
 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.
 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.  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. |
TjašaAfter writing a blog in Slovenian language for 10 years I have finally come to my sense and started writing one in English as well. Categories
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