Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia, which is a member of the European Union. The population of Slovenia is about 2 million people, and the population of Ljubljana is about 279 thousand (2016). Therefore, they belong to the smallest countries and capitals of the EU. Meet amazing trivia and facts about Ljubljana.
1. The dragon is the most recognizable character in the city. With bared teeth and spread wings, he is basically on every flag, bridge, crest, even the crest of the national football team.
2. The development of Ljubljana dates back to Roman times, when there was a fortified Roman settlement in today’s Ljubljana. The Roman name for Ljubljana was: Emona.
3. After the destruction of Emona by the Huns, the Slavs came and built a city under the current castle hill, which turned into medieval Ljubljana, known as Laibach.
4. Lubana was ruled by the Habsburgs until the colonies of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in 1918 and part of Yugoslavia until 1991.
5. Compulsory schooling for children aged 6-12 was not established until 1774, and the first gymnasium was opened only in 1851, and compulsory eight-year education in 1958.
6. Lublin Zoo is a zoo with an area of 19.6 hectares. It’s open all year. The zoo is located on the southern slope of Mount Rosnik, surrounded by forests and meadows.
7. The city is located in the central part of Slovenia in a natural depression surrounded by the high peaks of the Julian Alps.
8. The highest point of the city, called Grmada, reaches a height of 676 meters above sea level.
9. Festivals are held during the summer season, and open-air cafes, bars and restaurants come to life by the river. In May and September, thanks to the southern European climate, it is still warm and sunny, and there are much fewer people here.
10. It was only in 1625 that an act was passed requiring the removal of rubbish from the city at least twice a week.
11. Tivoli Park is the largest park in the city. The park contains several notable buildings and works of art.
12. Under Roman control for 1000 years, under Habsburg occupation for over 500 years, part of Yugoslavia for almost 50 years, Slovenia finally gained independence in a referendum in 91, upholding democracy and civil rights.
13. Because of Ljubljana’s street life along the river, Ljubljana celebrates many wonderful outdoor summer festivals. The largest of these is the festival, which takes place throughout the summer from June to September and features local and international performers from various creative fields: music, opera, ballet, theater and visual arts.
14. Nebotichnik is a skyscraper located in the center of Ljubljana and one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Its thirteen floors rise to a height of 70.35 m. It was designed by the Slovenian architect Vladimir Shubich. 15. Cathedral in Ljubljana, officially called the Church of St.. Nicholas. The cathedral was originally a Gothic church. At the beginning of the 18th century this was replaced by a Baroque building.
16. In Slovenia, the official language is Slovene, which is similar to other Slavic languages, especially close to Serbian and Croatian, where the Latin alphabet is used.
17. After a few days of walking around Ljubljana, we realize that everyone we meet speaks English and most people ride bikes.
18. The Dragon Bridge was built in the early 20th century when Ljubljana was part of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. As one of the finest examples of reinforced concrete bridges and Viennese Art Nouveau, this bridge is today protected as a monument. Decorated with dragon statues on pedestals at the four corners, the bridge has become a symbol of the city.
19. Cars are prohibited in the historic city center.
20. For those who want to get to know Ljubljana, it is best to wander around the many markets and visit historical buildings. Buying handicrafts from one of the local artisans is both a way to support the nascent art scene and an opportunity to own a unique item.
21. More than 10,000 cultural events are held in the city every year, including more than 10 international ones.
22. Ljubljana has an average altitude of 295 meters above sea level.
23. The Triple Bridge is a group of three bridges on the Ljubljanica River. It connects the historical, medieval city on the same bank with the modern part of the city. The central bridge is partly built of argillaceous limestone. Other parts are made of concrete.
24. Ljubljana Castle is a castle complex located on the Castle Hill above the center of Ljubljana. It was originally a medieval fortress, probably built in the 11th century and rebuilt in the 12th century. It received its current layout after an almost complete renovation in the 15th century.
25. Ljubljana won the title of European Green Capital in 2016. 26. The total area of ??the city is 164 square kilometers.
27. The most beautiful views of Ljubljana are located along the Ljubljanica River. Colorful buildings mark the banks of the river, and the city’s central square serves as a major attraction, especially with the iconic bridge that crosses over the square.
28. The university was founded only in 1919, and in the first year of study there were only 942 students, of which only 28 were women. In 2016, 40,110 people studied here, including 2,345 from outside Slovenia.
Q&A
What is Ljubljana famous for?
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and the country’s largest city, located along the Ljubljanica River and is known for its castle hill, Tivoli Park and many museums that stand in the city center.
How old is Ljubljana?
In 1991, when it gained independence, Ljubljana became the country’s capital. Ljubljana is dominated by a medieval fortress dating back to the 12th century. The old part of the city lies between the fortress and the river.
Do most Slovenes speak English?
While most young Slovenes speak English fluently, older residents are more proficient in Serbo-Croatian and German, and some of them can also read Cyrillic.
Is Slovenia dear?
Slovenia is quite cheap compared to neighboring Italy, but it is more expensive than most Eastern European countries. In particular, the capital city of Ljubljana can be much more expensive than the surrounding villages and smaller towns.