My Visual Travel Experience: Ljubljana

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, has a population of approximately 280,000. Slovenia was a part of the erstwhile Yugoslavia but declared independence in 1991. Since 1991, the country has done well economically and has become a popular tourist destination. Ljubljana is a pretty little town that offers quite a bit to a visitor, and it also has several attractions nearby that one can easily manage in a day's trip. Modern Ljubljana owes a lot of its planning to the famous Slovenian architect, Plecnik.

Ljubljana Castle was built in the 11th century AD. Under Austrian rule, it became the property of the Habsburgs. During the years that followed, it has been a military headquarter, a refuge for the poor and a prison. Perched up on a hill rising from the town centre, the castle offers a splendid view of Ljubljana. The castle has a clock tower and the beautiful Chapel of St George, with its many coats of arms painted on the walls. The castle's courtyard has a nice outdoor restaurant serving ethnic Slovenian food.

Ljubljana Castle

St George Chapel, Ljubljana Castle

Chapel, Ljubljana Castle

Academy Philharmonica with Ljubljana Castle
in the Background

The St Nicholas Cathedral dates back to 1707. It is a wonderful example of Baroque architecture, and has a beautiful, rich interior. The cathedral’s bronze doors were built for the 1996 visit by Pope John Paul II - one panel shows Pope John Paul II looking in from a window. 

St Nicholas Cathedral

Bronze door of St Nicholas Cathedral

Pieta, St Nicholas Cathedral

The Franciscan Church, with its pink coloured façade, lies next to the statue of Preseren, the well known  Slovenian poet. Preseren is a national hero, and the sculpture dedicated to him has the poet with a book, and behind him is a muse.

Preseren Statue

Franciscan Church

Ceiling, Franciscan Church

High Altar, Franciscan Church

View of Franciscan Church from Ljubljana Castle

The Holy Trinity Church is one of Ljubljana’s better known churches. It is a baroque church, completed in 1726. The bell tower was destroyed in an earthquake in 1895, but was re-constructed shortly afterwards. The church has a medieval Gothic Pieta statue.

Holy Trinity Church

High Altar, Holy Trinity Church

The Town Hall dates back to 1719, and has a distinctive clocktower. It lies in the heart of the town.

Town Hall

Next to the Town Hall lies the Fountain of Three Rivers of Carniola, completed in 1751. It was made by Francesco Robba and  is dedicated to the three main rivers of Slovenia. The original piece now lies in the National Gallery, but there is a replica outside the Town Hall.

Fountain of Three Rivers of Carniola

A little outside the town, Postojna Caves have over 20 km of underground chambers and tunnels,  full of stalagmites and stalactites, formed over a period of 3 million years by seeping water from the Pivka River. A train takes visitors into the centre of the caves, where visitors can then go on guided walking tours. The caves were opened to visitors in 1819, with Francis I of the Habsburg Empire as the guest of honour.

Postojna Caves

Situated close to Postojna Caves, Predjama Castle is on a hillside near the mouth of a cave.  The origins of the castle can be traced back to the 13th century AD.  The castle has rooms with interesting furnishings and weaponry. There’s also a little chapel inside with a Gothic Pieta from 1420. During my visit there, I was told by the ticket attendant that I was probably the first tourist from India to have visited. Well, I can strongly recommend to my fellow country-men that the castle is certainly worth a visit!

Predjama Castle

Court Room, Predjama Castle

Knights Hall, Predjama Castle

So with its various castles, churches and museums, as well as its charming town centre, Ljubljana is a lovely place and is highly recommended.