The symbol of Ljubljana is the Ljubljana dragon and is also
depicted on the coat of arms of the City of Ljubljana. One of the bridges in
Ljubljana and a popular tourist spot is the Dragon bridge which has 4 Dragons
on each side guarding the bridge.
Even though Ljubljana can't compare in size with other famous European cities like Barcelona, Vienna or Paris you can still find a lot of interesting traits on a relatively small space. One of the cool features of the city are definitively facades. From Baroque to contemporary, from standard to peculiar, facade gazing will for sure keep you busy for at least a day.
Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south, Hungary to the east and Austria to the north.
Žale Central Cemetery is located north of the city centre of Ljubljana and is the biggest cemetery in the city and also in Slovenia. It was built in 1906 and in May of the same year first burial took place.
Due to a growing population of Ljubljana and a law from the Austrian trade order that gave prior right to citizens at issuing and performing funeral concessions (in 1907), authorities were planning to expend the cemetery. At first they hired architect Ivo Spinčič, and then in 1936 architect Jože Plečnik.
Plečnik’s cemetery
At the entrance Plečnik built monumental arch with a two-storey colonnade, which symbolically divides the world of the dead from the world of the living. Opposite the arch stands the cemetery's main oratory and other chapels.
More than 150 thousand people are buried in Žale cemetery, some of them prominent people, like important slovenian poets, painters, composers etc.
There are also graves from World War I and II and one of the most interesting things here is ossuary of the victims of World War I. It was built by architect Edvard Ravnikar, a student of Plečnik, and almost 5.300 people are buried here, including soldiers from Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russia, Serbia, Romania etc.
There are numerous paths leading to the top, but you can also take a funicular, that will save you a few calories and cost you few euros.
History
The first mention of the fortress that stood on the hill dates back to the 11th century. Four centuries later it was rebuilt by the Habsburg's. Ljubljana castle was first build as a defence structure and later also used as a seat of the lords of Carniola.
In the 15th and 16th century the castle was used as a protection against the Turkish invasions. The castle was also used as a military hospital, prison and as a residential complex, until it was renovated and is now a tourist attraction and a cultural venue.
What to do there
From the castle wall you can get a nice view over Bežigrad district (the northern part of the city) with the Alps in the background, and for few euros (check the prices here) you can climb on the clock tower and observe the 360° view over Ljubljana.
At the castle you can also visit a museum, a chapel, grab a cup of coffee and have lunch. Before heading back down to the old town, you can also have a stroll in the castle park designed by Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik called Šance.
