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L JUBL JANA
GREEN SPACES
Slovenia is a largely rural country, and
even the city slickers in its capital have a
deeply ingrained love of nature. A short
walk north of the Old Town are the wide
open spaces and wooded paths of Tivoli
Park, where in summer families and
students alike relax over picnics. The park’s
broad Jakopic Promenade, designed by
the ever-industrious Plecnik, leads to the
17th-century Tivoli Mansion, which now
houses a graphic arts centre.
Wander back down to the Ljubljanica
and head south, and you’ ll reach Ljubljana
University’s Botanical Gardens (Ižanska
Street 15), with entry of only €2.50, and
many a shady spot in which to contemplate
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2012
WIZZ MAGAZINE
39
its 4,500 species and sub-species. The
gardens are near the
spica
area on the
Ljubljanica, where the banks in summer are
lined with floating barge bars.
Further south along the Ljubljanica are
the expansive Ljubljana marshes. Covering
over 150 sq km, this UNESCO-protected
nature reserve is home to birds such as
the Eurasian Curlew and the globally
endangered Corn Crake. The village of
Crna Vas, with a church by Plecnik built in
the late 1930s, is a good focus for a visit.
On the other side of the city is the
Volcji Potok Arboretum, which includes a
collection of animal sculptures by Janez
Boljka, open at weekends, and an adjoining
18-hole golf course of par 71. Green fees
start at €28 for nine holes on weekdays,
rising to €45 for 18 holes on weekends or
holidays. The Arboretum is open
“YOU CANWALK
FROM THE CITY
CENTRE ALONG THE
RIVER TO THE
BOTANICAL
GARDENS – THEY’RE
FULL OF COLOUR”
JOŽE PLEČNIK
The spirit of modernist architect
Jože Plecnik (1872-1957) runs
throughout modern Ljubljana.
Plecnik also worked in Vienna
and Prague, but much of his
finest work is here in his home
city. As well as the renowned
Tromostovje triple bridge,
Plecnik designed a huge number
of other important structures
including the National and
University Library and the
Križanke outdoor theatre, on the
site of an old monastery.
RIGHT AND BOTTOM
LEFT:
TIVOLI GARDENS