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Bridges across time and water
The Ljubljianica River is not the biggest. Nonetheless, 17 bridges cross it in the city – if you want to count. Most of them are more than bridges, somehow. Adorned with dragons, sculptures and love locks, they make an interesting diversion. Triple Bridge is the most spectacular among them, and the name says it all. Three bridges in a row cross the river at this spot which seems odd but can be explained plausibly. The central bridge was built to replace the original wooden medieval bridge in 1842. About 90 years later, pedestrian bridges were constructed on either side of the central bridge. In our days, the city centre is mostly car-free, so Ljubljana boasts a triple bridge only for pedestrians. All three lead off Prešeren Square at the heart of the city centre. With its rough triangular outline and the bright pink façade of the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation dominating the central square, it is the ideal place to meet up and celebrate.
Ljubljana is also a place to bridge time on different occasions. For example, the city has its own skyscraper, a 13-storey tower that narrowly overtops the surrounding building. Isn’t that sweet? Erected in 1933, it became the tallest building in the Balkans and was in the top ten for Europe. At the time it was very state-of-the-art featuring air-conditioning, speedy elevators and a central heating system. As time goes by! Even so, the Skyscraper gives you the most complete view of Ljubljana, encompassing the castle and the mountains like Šmarna Gora to the north.
Hill and Castle go together and are often named after each other. Ljubljana is no exception to that rule. Ljubljana Castle is a magnificent complex residing above the city on Castle Hill. You can either walk uphill or take the tram that offers gorgeous views of Ljubljana and its surroundings along the way. Do you love history? Then watch out for “Time Machine”, an intriguing guided tour that takes you through the castle and through the six most significant periods of Ljubljana’s past.
What about the dragons?
Look out for the dragons in Ljubljana, because you will see them everywhere. The reason is not difficult to guess. The dragon is the symbol of the city, embedded in the Ljubljana coat of arms. According to the legend, the city was founded by Jason and the Argonauts. On his way home from conquering the Golden Fleece, Jason, the Greek mythological hero, encountered a dragon in the marshes of today’s Ljubljana. Being the hero that he was, he fought and killed the dragon, of course. That is why they are eternalised on bridges, in graffiti, at the Ljubljana Castle and even as decorative elements on railings and buildings.
Among the many bridges, one had to represent the legend, don’t you think? Four intimidating dragons stand sentinel on each corner of Dragon Bridge. They are enormous! When it opened in 1901, it was one of the first reinforced concrete bridges in Europe.
Enjoy some rest and relaxation
Whether you want to take a break from exploring the city or chill out for a couple of hours, Ljubljana offers plenty of possibilities to do just that. Enjoy an afternoon on the riverbank, for example. Numerous cafés are open to the public, offering refreshments and a refreshing view on the Ljubljianica River. For the more adventurous, the city provides a unique way to see the city and its main attractions. Ljubljana is the only European capital that offers standup paddling to explore the city. The sport is becoming a more and more popular activity in Slovenia. For those who like to enjoy the river views more traditionally, there are also several boat tours offered on the river.
A walk through Tivoli Park is enormously invigorating, too. The green oasis stretches over more than two kilometres with lush lawns, ponds and a tropical greenhouse. Or you may want to spring into action on one of the tennis courts, mini-golf or bowling alley. Don’t miss out on walking along Jakopič Promenade, the arrow-straight avenue that runs from the eastern entrance up to the Neoclassical Tivoli Castle. Simply enjoy!
What about doing something hilarious in between? In the Museum of Illusions, located in a townhouse on Congress Square, it’s a lot of fun to be drawn into the world of illusions and question your own eyes. What you see is not always what you get!
