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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In the past Christmas bread, named poprtnik or župnik, sipling, božičnik, mižnjak, namižnjak, pomižnjak, stolnik and more, was important part of the family traditions that were going on around Christmas time all over Slovenia.
Today baking special Christmas bread is mostly present in the south part of Slovenija, like Notranjska or Dolenjska region, but people still bake it also in Štajerska region and Soča valley. For long it was thought that only modern human was capable of creating and/or using art. It turn's out that is not the case. We are lucky enough that Slovene archaeologist have found what is considered to be the oldest musical instrument, flute to be exact, ever found in the World. Found in 1995 and for long under thorough examination until they've realized it has to be somewhere from 50.000 to 60.000 years old! At that time modern human, homo sapiens sapiens, haven't even existed. 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. 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. Pearl of Mediterranean. Little Venice. Slovenian Rovinj. A bit of Dubrovnik. Reflection of Venetian republic. There are many words describing most famous Slovenian coastal town and each has a bit of truth in it.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
Let's begin with something less known. Metlika. Little town in the southeast part of Slovenia, right at the border with Croatia. Metlika is not a famous tourist destination but has a genuine fell. The majority of people visit Metlika in spring for the biggest event, called Vinska Vigred (translation: Wine Spring) and in the summer, when people enjoy beautiful landscape and, most famous, the warmest river in Slovenia, River Kolpa.
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.
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.
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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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