Shoemakers, Plečnik and the bridge

​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.
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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.