Even though Christmas is over, I'm taking you back to the festive mood of lights, mulled wine, Christmas trees, and joy.
Ljubljana is one of those places that is close enough to be accessible by train or bus without a car, big enough and small enough to have the feel of a capital city in Europe. Naturally, if you reside in Croatia like I do, but even if you are located further away, Ljubljana is still worthwhile seeing. We adore it for its consistently charming city center, as well as the fact that it's perfect for a quick weekend getaway, Saturday lunch, Advent in Ljubljana, or weekend shopping. The city center is swarming with superb restaurants and cafes, gastronomic experiences.
Ljubljana's holiday events begin on Friday, November 25, when the Advent lights are turned on, and the city's squares, streets, bridges, and embankments are transformed into a sparkling winter atmosphere.
Ljubljana always has a lively atmosphere, with Christmas markets and an are plenty of free events held in the festively decorated historic city center. Don't miss one of the most visually appealing Christmas light displays in this part of Europe.
Many tourists are drawn by the aromas of mulled wine, tea, and baked sausages to the decorated streets and squares such as Preeren Square, Tromostovje, Congress Square, and Stari Square. The river's proximity and the lights reflected in it add a special atmosphere to the last month of the year.
I apologize for the blurry night photos; there were simply too many people at the time for me to take pictures unhindered, and we should have left for the bus to Rijeka sooner.
I went with three very close friends, and I must say that we had a fantastic time.
The day could not have gone better with beautiful Ljubljana, lots of laughter, and delicious food.
December is considered the month of events in Ljubljana, and despite the cold, the city's streets are lively throughout the month. All festive events take place in public areas. The majority of the city center's public squares host music concerts and other family-friendly entertainment.
This year's decorations are called "Almighty - the power of all" which symbolizes the old Slovenian saying "Power is in style". Thus, the project's approximately 850 sculptures and figures are a synthesis of elements of life, the universe, and living communities that comprise complex systems. Among the novelties is a long light chain connecting the trees on the Ljubljanica's banks as a metaphor for our collective connection. Ljubljana will also be decorated with 10 spruces and 79 trees that will be returned to nature after Advent. The idea that these trees are decorated by Ljubljana residents and visitors and thus become part of the overall story delighted me.
PREER'S SQUARE - ONE OF THE WORLD'S FEW MAIN CITY SQUARES NAMED AFTER A POET
A cup of coffee in one of the bars on the banks of the Ljubljanica river is the ideal way to start your day in Ljubljana. After that, a leisurely stroll through one of the world's few cities with a central square decorated with a statue of a poet rather than a political or military hero. Preerno Square was named after France Preerno, a famous Slovenian but also great European romantic poet who lived from 1800 to 1849.
A statue and landscaped area were constructed in his honor at the turn of the 20th century, according to the vision of architect Max Fabiani and sculptor Ivan Zajc. It is now regarded as one of the most picturesque spots in the city for both shooting photos and making lifelong memories.
TROMOSTOVJE HAS THREE BEAUTIFUL BRIDGES THAT CONNECT TWO PARTS OF THE CITY.
There are three bridges just a few meters from Preerno Square that connect people from both sides of the Ljubljanica River, the old and new town, the past and the present. Tromostovje is the work of famous Slovenian architect Joe Plenik, who with this project created a unique architectural feature of Ljubljana. There used to be an old medieval bridge here that connected countries in northwest Europe with the Balkans and southeastern Europe.
LJUBLJAN CASTLE - A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING WITH A VIEW OF THE CITY AND THE SLOVAK ALPS
The powerful medieval fortress Ljubljana Castle, located on a green hill in the heart of the old city center, has been watching over Ljubljana and its inhabitants for centuries and proudly reigns over the city. The castle's lookout point and ramparts provide some of the most beautiful panoramic views, and the castle also houses a museum exhibition on Slovenian history, a doll museum, and numerous historical rooms such as the chapel of St. George, a prison, and a video presentation room known as the Virtual Castle.
The Old Town - Ljubljana Castle is the number one attraction in Ljubljana. It is close to the center and easily accessible on foot. From here, you can see the most beautiful view of Ljubljana. You can learn about history and travel to the distant past here.
The Old Town of Ljubljana tells the medieval story of the fortress on a hill in the center of the city. Spanheim was the seat of the Carinthian princes during the Middle Ages. According to archaeological research, people lived here as early as 1,200 BC, and the first settlements were established at that time.
How did the dragon become the city of Ljubljana's symbol?
The first is based on Greek mythology and the legend of Jason and the Argonauts. Jason had to perform a heroic feat and steal the golden fleece in order to sit on the throne of Thessaly and succeed his uncle Pelias. He gathered the Greek heroes, including Heracles, and embarked on a campaign aboard the ship Argo.
After many trials, Jason and the Argonauts were successful in stealing the golden fleece from King Aetus, whose kingdom of Colchis was located on the Black Sea coast. They received assistance from the king's daughter Medea, whom Jason later married. According to one version of the myth, the enraged king Ajet dispatched ships to hunt down Argos. Jazon rerouted the ship from the Black Sea to the Danube, then to the Sava, and finally to the Ljubljanica. They decided to camp near the spring during the winter. They came across a large lake and swamp near today's Ljubljana where a monster, or dragon, lived. Jason heroically faced the dragon and defeated it. The dragon retreated to the interior of the hill on which the Ljubljana Castle stands today.
There may be another explanation for the dragon appearing as Ljubljana's emblem. The royal chapel is thought to be protected by Saint George. The guards used to watch over and protect the city from the castle, which is perched on a hill above it. Most typically, this saint is shown using a spear to dispatch a dragon. Juraj stands in for the upcoming Christianity, while the dragon represents the previous religion.
Ljubljana will astound you with its beauty as you stroll through its streets, just as it did for us.
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At any season of the year, it's definitely worthwhile to take a one-day, if not multi-day, excursion because Ljubljana is always charming.
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"I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?"― John Lennon
