Ljubljana on and off the beaten track with a local

Ljubljana on and off the beaten track with a local

True, you heard it right. Ljubljana is a beautiful old town with centuries-old historic buildings, narrow streets, beautiful Baroque churches and monuments, numerous street cafes and restaurants.

But Ljubljana is more than that. There are also buildings and areas in the center of town that once served military or manufacturing purposes and were abandoned due to contemporary political, social and economic circumstances. Since then these areas have been populated by squatters, artists and bohemians, who have turned them into zones of creativity, liberal thought, solidarity with marginalized social groups and into zones of independent arts.

Join us on this tour, where we visit alternative parts of town, and we also walk through the old town past the sights that testify to the rich history of the city from the ancient Romans through the Middle Ages to the present.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Metelkova, Ljubljana Slovenia

Previously a prison and military area, the premises have been squatted in 1993. Today it is a centre of independent political, artistic production from fields of music, theatre, sculpture, film, painting etc. The free town of Metelkova has its own authentic atmosphere and maybe its own rules too.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Central Market, Vodnikov trg, Ljubljana 1000 Slovenia

We will see the central farmers` market of the city, operating on the same spot for about 120 years! You will see the merchants and goods they are selling. From fruits and vegetables to other home made produce brought from different parts of Slovenia and mostly ecologically produced: dairy products, meat, bread, oils, juices, flowers....ever seen a milk machine?

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Cathedral of St. Nicholas (Stolnica Sv. Nikolaja), Dolnicharjeva ulica 1, Ljubljana 1000 Slovenia

We will talk about the history of the cathedral and see the famous two doors, masterpieces of sculpture: the Slovenian door and the Ljubljana door. Both representing the history of the Christianity in Slovenia.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Ljubljana Old Town, Ljubljana Slovenia

We will walk through the old town of Ljubljana. We will visit the food market, see the Ljubljana Cathedral, Robba Fountain, Town Hall, the Cobblers` Bridge, National and University Library, river Ljubljanica, Congress Square, Preseren Square with a statue of the poet, Triple Bridge, Butchers` Bridge and Dragon Bridge.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Shoemaker's Bridge (Cevljarski Most), Pod Tranco, Ljubljana Slovenia

We will see this charming bridge designed by the famous architect Joze Plecnik. We will talk about the judiciary and punitive practices of the Middle Ages here. Why here? As this bridge witnessed a number of cheating butchers and bakers dipped in the river. We will also talk about the river itself and its importance for the city in the past and today.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: National and University Library, Turjashka ulica 1, Ljubljana 1000 Slovenia

We will see the biggest homework of The Architect and witness rich symbolics of his architecture. This temple of knowledge is definitely worth of all the attention.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Congress Square (Kongresni trg), Ljubljana Slovenia

You will see the Congress Square and Star Park, Ursuline Church, the building of Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra - one of the oldest institutions of its kind in Europe, the Ljubljana University building and more. You will also hear why the name of the square is such as it is.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Trubarjeva cesta, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

We will walk this funky street of Ljubljana full of graffiti and head to old abandoned bicycle factory that has been squatted and is today one if the alternative centres of Ljubljana.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Preseren Square, Ljubljana Slovenia

You will see some of the most important Ljubljana landmarks from the Preseren Square. It offers a great view of the square, the Triple Bridge, the Franciscan Church, some of the biggest Art Nouveau architectural masterpieces of Ljubljana and of course a view of the statue of the poet, after whom the square is named. You will hear about his importance for Slovenian literature and also about his unheard love.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Triple Bridge (Tromostovje), River Ljubljanica from Presernov trg to the Old Town, Ljubljana 1000 Slovenia

One of the biggest landmarks of Ljubljana is also one of the greatest works of the architect Joze Plecnik. We will talk about its history, its purpose and symbolics that the Architect loved to incorporate in his works. Why three bridges you ask?

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Franciscan Church (Franciskanska cerkev), Preshernov trg 4, Ljubljana 1000 Slovenia

You will see this beautiful Baroque church with a pink facade, that resembles Il Gesu church in Rome.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Butcher's Bridge, Petkovskovo nabrezje, Ljubljana Slovenia

The bridge is named also a "Love Bridge" today because of all the locks locked to it. You will get to know why this bridge is pretty new, why is it named Butcher`s Bridge and what is the meaning of those grotesque statues on it.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Dragon Bridge (Zmajski Most), Resljeva ul., Ljubljana Slovenia

Dragon Bridge is one of the most well-known bridges in Ljubljana and a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture. You will get to know why a dragon is the symbol of Ljubljana.

Duration: 5 minutes