English
As a country that was part of Yugoslavia and Eastern Europe, one usually doesn’t expect to find much beauty due to, its sometimes, sad history, but this opinion could not be further from reality when we talk about the Slovenian capital. This country was not affected as hard as other Balkan countries during the Balkan War, which has allowed it to retain its particular beauty.
Our tour starts at the Bridge of Dragons. Built in 1901, this bridge crosses the river Ljubljanica and has the peculiarity of being watched by four dragons figurines made in forged metal, two on each side of the river. Legend has it that Jason, the founder of Ljubljana, killed a dragon that kidnapped an innocent girl and released her, which is why any girl who crosses the bridge moves the dragons’ tails. The bridge is certainly a major landmark of the city.
Let’s cross the river and take the third street on the left until Miklošičev Park, which is located in Slovenski trg. This park and its surrounding buildings were commissioned to architect Maks Fabiani in 1895, which was inspired by the city of Prague. Five years later he finished his work, which now we have the opportunity to admire. Miklošičev beautiful buildings have equal height adorned with stunning balconies and small turrets at the corners of their roofs.
Let’s scroll down to the Grand Hotel Union, Ljubljana’s first modern hotel. Each floor of the facade is adorned with different plants ornaments. Designed by architect Josip Vancaš, the building was a greatly innovative architectonical piece when the two years of construction ended in 1905.
This building is located at number 1 on this street, which is a street that has many architectural treasures. At number 4 is the National Bank of Loans, designed by the same Vancaš, which was constructed in 1907 in the best Viennese style of the time, including light colored balconies like those by Fabiani. These beautiful and elaborate balconies are adorned by two nude female figures holding a bag, a beehive and two shields, which are symbols of thrift, diligence and financial wealth. Don’t forget that Slovenia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century was its most prosperous years.
The Cooperative Credit Bank is located at number 8, which is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Its facade trimmed with reddish blue color is just great and it is actually the feature that makes it stand above all other buildings, even though this is a street that contains the best architectural jewels of the city. Designed by architect Ivan Vurnik in 1921, its beautiful colors and shapes with typical Slovenian iconography, plus its interior design, makes the building one of the greatest examples of architecture from the early twentieth century in the city.
This is the end of the first part of our tour. If you are planning to stay in apartments in Ljubljana city , you will enjoy the most beautiful Art Nouveau architecture anywhere in the world. These buildings contribute to the fact that the Slovenian capital is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
