Crossroads of the Adriatic Tour
Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia
May 23 - June 12, 2015
Part Six- Slovenia
Page Fifteen - Ljubljana
The Serbian Orthodox Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius
that we saw driving into
Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.
Located at the middle of a trade route between the northern Adriatic Sea
and the Danube region, Ljubljana was the historical capital of Carniola,
a Slovene inhabited part of Austria-Hungary.
Street our hotel is on features art nouveau architecture.
The hotel is on the left.
Preseren Square - the heart of the city. Ljubljana Castle
can be seen overlooking the city. The Square is a common meeting
place, and buses and taxis are not allowed here.
The pink building in Preseren Square is the Franciscan Church of St. Mary.
A
Franciscan monastery is attached.
The cream colored
building with a glass awning is the Galerija Emporium, a department
store built after a huge earthquake. At the top of the building is Mercury,
god of commerce.
Grand Hotel Union-Executive in the center of the photo in
the background. Franciscan Church to the left. Photo taken
from Preseren Square. This conveniently located hotel is where we stayed.
Preseren Square has a large statue (center of photo in the back)
of Slovenia's
national poet, France Preseren.
Women performing a folk dance in the Square.
The Ljubljanica River runs through the city, making a sharp turn
near Preseren Square. Architect
Joze Plecnik (1872-1957) designed
most of the city's important landmarks, including Triple Bridge, partly seen
in the photo. Triple Bridge has 3 spans across the river.
Philharmonic Hall - main building of the
Slovene Philharmonic Orchestra
Ljubljana Castle - photo taken near Philharmonic Hall
Ljubljanica River scene
Ljubljana's Town Square near Preseren Square. The Town Hall, that
has a clock tower, is on the right.
One of the intricately decorated doors of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas.
It was created for the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1996. The images
are of six 20th century bishops of Ljubljana.
Part of the ceiling fresco in the interior of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas.
The Cathedral's style is Italian baroque.
The other highly decorated door of the Cathedral. Pope John Paul II
is at the top.
Butchers' Bridge above Ljubljanica River
Note the locks hung on Butchers' Bridge. As in the Baltic states,
it is common for couples to declare their lifelong commitment
to each other by placing a lock on a bridge and throwing the key
into the river.
Dragon Bridge - The dragon is the symbol of Ljubljana.
Ljubljana's Old Town area
Another view in Old Town
Cafes and shops line both sides of the river.
Franciscan Church at Preseren
Square in the background.
Ljubljana Castle from one side of the Ljubljanica River.
Cobblers' Bridge designed by architect Joze
Plecnik. The Bridge is named for the cobblers (shoemakers)
who had shops along the river long ago. Note the simple, clean
lines with classical columns that demonstrates Plecnik's style.
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