Tourist Attractions of Ljublijana:

• Ljublijana Castle
• Town Hall
• National Gallery

Ljublijana Castle

Ljubljana is dominated by a medieval fortress, which dates from the 12th century. The old quarter of the city lies between the fortress and the river. Only a few old buildings of the Austrian Baroque style. The subsequent rebuilding of the city, particularly those buildings designed by the Art Nouveau architect Josef Plečnik, gave Ljubljana (apart from the old town on the right bank of the river) a modern appearance. The city also received a grid pattern. Fine stone bridges, such as the Tromostovje (Triple Bridge), were constructed across the river.

 Ljublijana Castle is a medieval castle with Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architectural elements, located on the summit of Castle Hill, which dominates the city centre. The area surrounding today’s castle has been continuously inhabited since years. The castle was built in the 12th century and was a residence of the Margraves, later the Dukes of Carniola. The castle’s Viewing Tower; this was manned by a guard whose duty it was to cannons warning the city in case of or announcing important visitors or events, a function the castle still holds today. Cultural events and weddings also take place there. a funicular has linked the city centre to the castle atop the hill.

You can catch the “tourist train” from the Triple Bridge to the castle, or walk up the (quite steep) hill to the castle (5-10min), or take the Funicular Railway ,, the lower station is at the top of the main Open market. Entrance to the Castle Courtyard, Chapel, Wall and Gift shop is free, but there is a charge for access to the tower.The tower has magnificent views all over the city. You can also see the Sava River and Kamnik Alps in the distance. Included is a 3D Movie of the history of Ljubljana from a pre-historic settlement to to modern times (€5 for seniors).

Ljublijana Town Hall

Squeezed between the castle hill and Ljubljanica river is the old town with two squares, Mestni trg (City square) with the Robba fountain and the city hall behind it, and, further on, Gornji trg (Upper square). Well preserved medieval buildings now house local designer shops, and several. Although they may look creepy, the perfectly safe narrow lanes lead to charming little squares and buildings. The City Municipality of Ljubljana is located at Town Square. The original building was built in a Gothic style in Between the building underwent a Baroque renovation with a Venetian inspiration by the architect Gregor Maček Sr. Near Town Hall, at Town Square, stands a replica of the Baroque Robba Fountain. The original has been moved into the National Gallery. The Robba Fountain is decorated with an obelisk at the foot of which there are three figures in white marble symbolizing the three chief rivers of Carniola. It is the work of Francesco Robba, who designed numerous other Baroque statues in the city.

National Gallery

The National Gallery, Slovenia’s foremost museum of historical art, holds the country’s largest collection of fine art from the High Middle Ages to the last century. It also houses a permanent exhibition of works by Zoran Mušič one of Europe’s leading modernist painters and various temporary exhibitions.

The National Gallery’s permanent collection, divided into sections according to historical periods, is comprised of nearly 600 works by Slovenian and European artists. Among other things, it includes medieval sacred art, works of art by the Baroque artists Gregorio Lazzarini in Giulio Quaglio, Biedermeier portraits by Jožef Tominc, neoclassical paintings by Franc Kavčič, works by the Realists Janez Šubic and Jurij Šubic, paintings by the popular Slovenian painter Ivana Kobilca, and the famous masterpieces of Slovenian Impressionism created by Ivan Grohar, Rihard Jakopič, and Matija Jama.