Touring - Ljubljana

 Yesterday evening, we took an evening tour of the city. I really like this city because it is not that big, walkable and pretty. We had another hood tour guide - this one with the company ‘Free Tours’. Here is some of what I learned.

Slovenia, a country of just two million people, feels both intimate and full of depth. Its capital, Ljubljana, has around 300,000 residents and radiates a calm, welcoming spirit. People walk and cycle everywhere, and the city is filled with green spaces, including Tivoli Park, which feels like Ljubljana’s own Central Park.

Slovenia ranks among the safest countries in the world, yet beneath its peaceful surface lies a long and layered history. People lived here over 6,000 years ago, building stilt houses above lakes. The Romans later settled the area, followed by the medieval castle that still stands watch on the hill. In the 16th century, Baroque architecture flourished, most famously in the pink Franciscan church in the city center. Later, touches of Art Nouveau arrived, shaping Ljubljana’s unique blend of styles.

At the heart of the city is a statue of poet France Prešeren, whose words in Zdravljica (“A Toast”) became Slovenia’s anthem. His muse, Julija Primic, is remembered beside him. Slovenia itself is young as a nation, gaining independence in 1991 after centuries under Austrian, Hungarian, and Venetian rule. The transition was remarkably swift: a ten-day war, democracy, and later the adoption of the euro.

Ljubljana’s character owes much to architect Jože Plečnik, who designed the Triple Bridge and the riverside market, now a UNESCO site. In 2007, the city center became fully pedestrian, turning streets into lively gathering spaces. The cathedral, rebuilt in the 18th century, holds rich baroque interiors, while its bronze doors, added in 1996, tell the story of Slovenia’s past. The Town Hall, built in 1744, still serves its original purpose.

With affordable education, a vibrant student presence, and a spirit that values both tradition and progress, Ljubljana feels timeless yet alive — a city where history and everyday life meet in harmony.