Vodnikov trg square The central part of Vodnikov trg is the site of Ljubljana’s Central Market 37 , laid out in the 1930’s by Jože Plečnik. Apart from fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers, market stalls offer practically any kind of food, including Slovenian specialities such as prosciutto and the potica cake. At the point where Jože Plečnik made a gap in the Central Market’s colonnade to provide space for a bridge, the Butchers’ Bridge 38 has been built. One side of the Central Market is lined by a Baroque church, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas 39 , whose interior owes its special charm to frescoes by Giulio Quaglio. The Cathedral’s unique main entrance door relief depicts the history of Christianity on Slovenian lands, and its side entrance door relief portraits of the 20th century Bishops of Ljubljana. Next to the Cathedral, the Seminary Palace 40 building houses the unique Seminary Library, another gem of Baroque art. On the other side of the market stands the Dragon Bridge 41 , Ljubljana’s first Art Nouveau creation, built in 1901. Vodnikov trg square blends into the Krekov trg 42 , square famous for the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre’s interesting roof turret with a clock. At every full hour Martin Krpan, the most famous fictional character in Slovenian literature, steps out of it along with his good old mare. Next to the theatre building is the lower platform of the funicular railway connecting the city centre with Ljubljana Castle.
11 p.m. between 1 April and 30 September. The castle’s Outlook Tower, which offers the most beautiful views of Ljubljana and its surrounding areas, and Virtual Castle are open also for non-guided visits. Visitors are welcome daily, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between 1 October and 30 March and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from 1 April to 30 September. Guided tours of the entire castle, led by specialist staff, are available. A part of the castle houses a permanent exhibition entitled Slovenian History, which shows the dynamic history of Slovenia and Ljubljana. The castle is accessible by funicular railway, tourist road train or on foot via several well-maintained walking paths.
The suburbs of Krakovo and Trnovo
Ljubljana Castle 43 , the city’s most prominent landmark, is a popular tourist attraction and a picturesque event venue putting a unique stamp on the city’s skyline. It is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. between 1 October and 30 March and from 9 a.m. to
Krakovo and Trnovo are considered to be Ljubljana’s oldest suburbs. They were built outside the city’s medieval town walls and have retained their village character to the present day. In the past, the residents of Krakovo and Trnovo were mostly fishermen. Today, the two suburbs are best known for their gardens and gardeners, the so called salad ladies of Trnovo (trnovske solatarice), who continue a centuries-long tradition of selling their produce at the Central Market. The area also has a bustling café and cultural life. If you take a walk around the area, do not miss the remains of the Roman city of Emona. Visit the Roman Wall 44 and the Jakopič Garden 45 open-air archaeological museum, part of the City Museum of Ljubljana. There is a special story behind the 18th century Trnovo Church 46 , where France Prešeren, the greatest Slovenian poet, first saw his great love Julija Primic, to whom he dedicated his most beautiful sonnets. In front of the church stands the Trnovo Bridge 47 , a work by the architect Jože
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Right: Metelkova mesto
Ljubljana Castle
City walk