English
Having left behind the Credit Cooperative Bank of architect Ivan Vurnik, continue along the road until you reach Prešernov trg. This place was an ancient crossroading in front of one of the medieval gates of Ljubljana, and today has become one of the most beautiful places in the city. The buildings surrounding the square are of great architectural beauty and it is here where the famous Triple Bridge (Tromostovje) Ljubljanica crosses the river, one of the most famous and popular places in the city. After the earthquake, the palaces were erected in place of the destroyed medieval houses, emphasizing especially on the Urbanc House, one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings of the city, along with the Hauptman House.
It is in this square where we find the Galerija Emporium, a shopping center that is located in a renovated Art Nouveau palace, coincidentally, here was where the first department stores in the Slovenian capital in 1903 were located. The building on the street corner of Miklošičeva and Trubarjeva is a building that resembles the Grand Union Hotel for its location and structure, without doubt one of the most common appearances of Art Nouveau architecture of the early twentieth century .
Walk down and around the castle hill into Mestni trg street, at number 23 we find the Epicenter Building. Perhaps the name does not lead us to think that this building is historic but appearances are deceptive. This glass building was a former department store and was rebuilt in a Baroque house in 1914 by order of merchant Franc Brünnler Drofenig to architect Karl. The importance of this building lies in the fact that its modern construction was incorporated in a building of ancient architecture, new to the city, a glass and metal structure leave little ornamentation, with the exception of a golden detail on the ledge. The large windows are the great feature and Art Nouveau details are present
Back up to the Triple Bridge, we cross the street and took Čopova ulica, where the Municipal Savings Bank is at number 3. This building was redesigned between 1903 and 1904 by Josip Vancas, a well-known architect in the Balkans and in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, having also designed the Cooperative Bank of Credit and the Grand Union Hotel, as mentioned in the first installment of this route. The highlight of this place in the facade is the entrance canopy, made of wrought iron and shaped flower petals that open like Urbanc House. The interior is decorated with stucco are in par with the decoration of the facade, which also include the two large sculptures and ornamental heads on the first floor.
To finish our route, we will go to the Slovene National Theatre, located in Erjavčeva basket. To get there from our last stop, we just have to go down the Slovenska shopping avenue and on the left and take the third street on the right, where we will head to the theater. The building highlights the colors, combined with a red roof and a green colored facade with ornaments, no doubt one of the most unique buildings throughout the city.
The city of Ljubljana is definitely an architectural gem that all lovers of art, architecture and history can not miss . Enjoy the tour!
If you visit a place that will surprise you in many ways, opt for renting Ljubljana accommodation apartments and enjoy this Art Nouveau route for the most unique and beautiful buildings across the city.
