Geography

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana (UK: /ˌljuːbˈljɑːnə, ˌlʊbliˈɑːnə/, US: /ˌljuːbliˈɑːnə, liˌuː-/, Slovene: ljuˈbljàːna, locally also called: luˈblàːna), German Laibach, Italian Lubiana, the capital city and economic, political, and cultural center of Slovenia. It is an important European commercial, industry, exhibition and congress center, as well as Slovenia’s center for transport, science, and education. It is a city with few major attractions that cause many tourists or travelers to rush through in a day or so, but given time, it is certainly a charming location.

Ljubljana itself was first mentioned within the half of the 12th century; it is situated at the center of a trade route between the northern Adriatic Sea and therefore the Danube region, it had been the historical capital of Carniola, one amongst the Slovene-inhabited parts of the Habsburg Monarchy. The city lies in central Slovenia during a depression surrounded by high peaks of the Julian Alps. The victors of the warfare selected this peaceful city because the site of the Holy Alliance congress, which in 1821 sealed the EU political geography for years to return.

From the Middle Ages until the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 the city of Ljubljana was under Habsburg rule. Ljubljana acquired a sugar factory, a brewery, a foundry, and a paper and cloth mill (subsequently turned into a tobacco mill). Ljubljana became the capital of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia, which is part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, after World War II. This maintained this status until Slovenia became independent in 1991, and the newly created state became the capital of Ljubljana.

Ljubljana is dominated by a medieval fortress, which dates from the 12th century. The old quarter of town lies between the fortress and also the river. Only some old buildings of the Austrian Baroque style survived a violent earthquake in 1895. The pedestrian-only historic center is perfect for hours of aimless wandering through paved streets, taking time to see trendy storefronts, and appreciate the bustling food scene.

The strong personal style of Jože Plečnik, a great European architect and a local from Ljubljana, influenced modern Ljubljana in the first half of the 20th century. The cityscape was complemented by his modernist followers moreover as by creations of the “New Wave” of acknowledged young architects. All the various facets of Ljubljana blend harmoniously into one image. The city got a grid pattern, too. Fine stone bridges were built across the river, such as the Tromostovje (Triple Bridge).

The city, with an area of 163.8 square kilometers (63.2 sq mi); it stretches from the Quaternary era on an alluvial plain. The neighboring mountainous areas are older, dating back to the Mesozoic (Triassic) of Paleozoic. Ljubljana has been hit by a number of earthquakes including in 1511 and 1895. Ljubljana is an important rail and road transport center with Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and Italy. Its sectors are the pharmaceutical, petrochemical, food processing, and electronics sectors.

Ljubljana may be a city of culture. Culture nerds can explore the castle overlooking town or lose hours in one in all many museums. It’s home to numerous theatres, museums, and galleries, and boasts one amongst the oldest philharmonic orchestras within the world. The kooky street art of Metelkova Mesto will have those with a taste for the choice gawking. While others craving an escape to nature will find solitude within the leafy parks that sprawl across the town. Other attractions include a facility and a zoo.

Ljubljana has not for nothing won the name “Town of wine and vine”. Throughout the past, it was the region’s wine-trading hub and grapevines were cultivated by the inhabitants of the Roman city of Emona on the slopes leading to the present-day castle. The architecture of the town is a mixture of styles. Despite the emergence of large buildings, especially at the edge of the town, the historic core of Ljubljana remains intact. While the oldest architecture from the Roman era has been preserved, downtown Ljubljana got its design in the Middle Ages.

 

Information Sources:

  1. ljubljana.si
  2. britannica.com
  3. wikipedia