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32
WIZZ MAGAZINE
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2012
SOAK UP THE OLD TOWN
Stara Ljubljana, or the Old Town, officially
falls between the city’s hilltop castle and
the arching bend of the slow-flowing
Ljubljanica. But locals use the term
indiscriminately to refer to the network of
narrow, pedestrianised streets that spills
onto both sides of the river. Whatever you
call it, you’ ll find many of the city’s best
restaurants, bars and cafés here, as well
as striking examples of baroque and art
nouveau architecture.
Just north of the river is cobbled
Prešernov Trg, or Prešeren Square, a good
base from which to start. Behind the statue
of Dr France Prešeren, Slovenia’s national
poet (see box), is the pink and white
Franciscan Church of the Annunciation.
And on the other side of the square is the
elegant ‘Tromostovje’ triple bridge across
the Ljubljanica – one of the most famous
creations of Slovene architect Jože Plecnik
(see box on page 39).
Plecnik also designed the riverside
market colonnade just to the east.
Every day except Sunday you’ ll find
stalls here and in the adjacent square
selling dried meats, fresh berries, bright
flowers and all manner of other enticing
produce. In the surrounding streets,
there’s an array of small boutiques and
independent shops. Browse the antiques
at Galerija Fortuna (Gornji Street 1), or
buy some traditional lace products from
COVER FEATURE
L JUBL JANA
ABOVE:
THE SMALL
ROAD LEADING UP TO
LJUBLJANA CASTLE
RIGHT:
TAKE YOUR PICK
OF THE RIVERSIDE CAFÉS
BELOW:
ST NICHOLAS’
CATHEDRAL DATES BACK
TO THE EARLY 1700s
A statue of Slovenia’s national
poet, France Prešeren (1800-
1849), is in the central square
that bears his name. Prešeren’s
work did much to define a
distinct Slovene language and
culture. The poet now gazes
up at a relief of his muse and
unrequited love Julija Primic,
on the building opposite.
PREŠEREN STATUE