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OPENING HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 09.00 - 21.00
SATURDAY 08.00 - 21.00, SUNDAY 09.00 - 15.00
THE SHOPPING CENTER, Šmartinska c. 152 g, 1000 Ljubljana; Phone 01 587 30 50, www.citypark.si
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Share Your Visit to Ljubljana
The My Visit planner has been
upgraded. From now on you can
accompany the programmes
for your visits to Ljubljana with
descriptions of your experiences
and links to your photo albums
and share them with your
friends on Facebook, Twitter or
Google Buzz.
www.visitljubljana.si/myvisit
Urbana – Ljubljana
Tourist Card
Ljubljana through iTunes
A useful tool for visitors to Ljubljana is the Ljubljana In
Your Pocket App, a free tourist guide application working
in conjunction with iTunes. The application, intended
for the users of mobile phones, multimedia players and
notebooks designed and marketed by Apple, has been
created by the Slovenian franchise of the In Your Pocket
city guide publisher in collaboration with local partners and
is available in English. Using its handy maps, descriptions
and videos, you can get thoroughly acquainted with
Ljubljana and its offerings and obtain the latest information
on weather, transport, shops, bars, restaurants, hotels,
nightclubs, and cultural and sporting events. The entire
content is supported by maps showing locations.
www.visitljubljana.si/news
The new Urbana – Ljubljana Tourist Card is a combined ticket to Ljubljana’s major sights enabling
cardholders to explore the city in a comfortable way and at the lowest price available.
Urbana – Ljubljana Tourist
Card is conceived as a smart
card containing a chip for card
validation and free admission.
Within the card validity period,
the holders of the 24, 48 or 72hour Urbana card are entitled
to unlimited free travel on city
buses, a free ride on the tourist
boat, tourist train and Ljubljana
Castle funicular, a two-hour
guided city tour, and one free
admission to most of the city’s
museums, galleries and other
tourist attractions, including
Ljubljana Castle and its Virtual
Museum, Outlook Tower and
new permanent exhibition on
Slovenian history, respectively.
The Urbana – Ljubljana
Tourist Card can be purchased
in advance as it only gets
activated when it is used for
the first time. It is available
from Ljubljana’s Tourist
Information Centres and hotels.
The easiest and most
comfortable way to get the
card, however, is to purchase
it online, using the order form
available on the website at
www.visitljubljana.si/ljubljanatourist-card.
On the Map of European
City Cards
City cards are a basic
means for exploring cities.
They are easy to use and
offer a lot for a reasonable
price. The city cards available
in 35 cities in 21 European
countries are presented on the
EuropeanCityCards website,
allowing travellers to do
research on destinations around
Europe and plan their European
trip in advance by simply
making a few clicks.
Part of a European city
trip planned this way can
also be Ljubljana, whose
Urbana – Ljubljana Tourist
Card is included among the
city cards presented on the
EuropeanCityCards website,
along with the city cards of
Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bruges,
Brussels, Copenhagen, Cordoba,
Dijon, Dublin, Dubrovnik, Geneva,
Gijón, Gothenburg, Innsbruck,
Krakow, Lisbon, London, Lyon,
Nice, Nuremberg, Olomuc, Oslo,
Prague, Reykjavik, San Sebastian,
Split, Stockholm, Tallinn,
Tarragona, Turin, Turku, Valencia,
Vicenza, Zagreb and Zaragoza.
www.europeancitycards.com
A New Ljubljana Dragon Souvenir
To make it possible for you
to take a little something of
Ljubljana home with you, the TIC
Ljubljana shop offers a varied
choice of souvenirs and small
works of art reflecting the spirit
of Ljubljana by combining the
city’s arts and crafts tradition
with modern design. Since
October, the range of souvenirs
available has been extended
to include a new assortment
of Ljubljana Dragon souvenirs,
depicting the adventures of a
little dragon named Ljubo. You
can choose from a Ljubo-themed
magnet, shopping bag, and short
or long-sleeved T-shirts for men,
women and children. The added
value of the products is their
neat packaging including a short
summary of the legend about
the Ljubljana Dragon.
www.visitljubljana.si
A Perfect Rendezvous, newsletter for travel trade professionals
Publisher: Ljubljana Tourism, Krekov trg 10, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Phone: +386 (0)1 306 45 83. Fax +386 (0)1 306 45 94. Email: [email protected], www.visitljubljana.si
Editorial board: Petra Stušek, Tatjana Radovič, Barbara Vajda.
Production: Mediamix, Maribor. Head of advertising: Maja Miličevič, Mediamix. Phone: +386 (0)2 235 05 56. Email: [email protected].
Printed by: Littera picta d.o.o., Rožna dolina, Cesta IV 32, 1000 Ljubljana
Autumn 2010/Winter 2011 • Committed to caring for the environment, we print on recycled paper.
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New Outdoor Gallery Exhibition
Photo: M. Kambic
Throughout the autumn, those taking a walk along Tivoli
Park’s Jakopič Promenade, the site of Ljubljana’s Outdoor
Gallery, open day and night, can view an exhibition of largeformat photographs taken by the Belgian photographer Jim
Sumkay in Ljubljana and Belgrade.
Depicting everyday street scenes in the two capitals,
Sumkay’s photographs reveal the similarities and differences
between the two cities and illustrate the relationships
existing between them.
www.visitljubljana.si
Online Tour Booking
The website at www.visitljubljana.si
offers visitors to Ljubljana an
opportunity to order guided city
tours and excursions to places
across Slovenia in advance. As
the tours are available both
to individual travellers and
groups, online ordering is also
recommended to tour operators
organizing visits to Ljubljana.
Ljubljana Dragon: a Legendary Creature
The Ljubljana Dragon, the symbol dominating Ljubljana’s coat of arms, is a mythological creature whose
existence has never been either proved or disproved. Dragons can also be found on the Dragon Bridge,
but don’t be surprised if you meet one in the city streets.
The Live City Guardian at the Castle; Photo: D. Wedam
Those who have visited
Ljubljana and not encountered a
dragon can hardly say they have
experienced the city’s culture.
What today is the Ljubljana
Dragon was once a monster that
came across the ancient Greek
hero Jason, who, on his quest
for the Golden Fleece, followed
the rivers from the Black Sea to
the present Ljubljana Marshes.
A struggle took place between
Jason and the monster and
ended badly for the latter: it
was beaten by the Greek. It is
assumed that in the memory
of this event the people of
Ljubljana later depicted the
monster as a dragon on the
city’s coat of arms.
Dragons can now be seen
practically anywhere in the city.
You can hardly miss the four
bronze dragons guarding the
famous Art Nouveau Jubilee
Bridge, later named what else
but the Dragon Bridge. Sixteen
other dragons, smaller ones,
are hiding somewhere on the
bridge, but even the locals have
difficulty finding them.
Today, Ljubljana’s legendary
dragons have company. A lovely
little dragon helps provide
information to visitors to various
trade exhibitions around the
world, while in the streets of
Ljubljana he helps out tourists.
Due to his kindness and lively
manners he gives competition
to the city’s other dragons,
including the famous four on
the Dragon Bridge.
Špela Golčer
Slovenian History Experience
at Ljubljana Castle
A good way to round off a visit to Ljubljana Castle is to take a walk through Slovenian history. Since
the summer of 2010, Ljubljana Castle has been housing a new permanent exhibition entitled Slovenian
History – visible also to visually impaired people.
The exhibition offers a
concise overview of the history
of Slovenian inhabited areas
from the earliest settlement
to the present time. Slovenian
territory, lying at the junction
of natural routes between the
Alps, the Adriatic Sea and the
Pannonian Plain, has been
the point of convergence of
different peoples and cultures
since prehistory.
The exhibition, set up in a
compelling way against the
backdrop of the castle interior,
takes a chronological look
at Slovenian history. Its six
sections cover prehistory and
the Roman period, the Middle
Ages and the Early Modern
Period, the 19th century and
the First World War, the
Kingdom of Yugoslavia and
the Second World War, and the
independent Slovenia.
The exhibition is housed
in the renovated south wing
of the castle, covering an
area of about 300 square
metres over three floors. It
includes multimedia content
and animations for children.
What is special about it is
that exhibits are adapted for
visually impaired people. With
all this and more it contributes
significantly to Ljubljana
Castle’s reputation as one
of the city’s premier cultural
sights and tourist attractions.
www.mestnimuzej.si
Špela Golčer
The Millefiori Goblet,
Roman Period,
Photo: M. Paternoster
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Taste of Fusion
Photo: Salon Restaurant Archive
Sophisticated cuisine and unique
cocktails are the main attributes
of the new restaurant in town. The
recently opened Salon Restaurant
& Lounge Bar serves a harmonious
fusion of world cuisines. Choose
between Mediterranean, Mexican,
Japanese or traditionally Slovenian
cuisine.
www.salon.si
Special Award for Ljubljana
The Old Town of Ljubljana, which is mostly a pedestrian
zone, has additionally been brought to life by integrating
the Ljubljanica River into everyday life. By arranging
the banks, building bridges and renovating buildings,
the wider area of the city center is getting more and
more popular among locals and tourists. Thanks to
the successful revitalization project of the area along
Ljubljanica, a special award, Presežek leta 2010 (The
Excellence of 2010), has been given to Ljubljana by the
Tourist Association of Slovenia.
Ljubljana Wine Route
Although conditions for vine cultivation in Ljubljana basin are not favorable, Ljubljana is the home of
many wine lovers. That is why it is also named The City of Vine and Wine.
Ljubljana is an important
meeting point of all three
Slovenian wine regions, which
proudly present their wines to
the citizens of Ljubljana on the
St. Martin’s Saturday, this year
on 6 November.
For winegrowers, autumn
is the most important time of
the year. The whole family and
friends gather to pick grapes,
which are then pressed and
stored in the barrels. “When
must turns into wine” on St.
Martin’s Day, which is next
to the harvest the second
most important wine festival,
numerous celebrations take
place also in Ljubljana. The
Old Town and the banks of
Ljubljanica River change into
the Ljubljana Wine Route.
Accompanied by dance and
music performed by numerous
cultural associations and folklore
groups traditional delicacies and
wines from different parts of
Slovenia are served.
Visitors can taste excellent
wines from glasses with
especially for this occasion
engraved emblems. Vintage
wine deserves to be served
with good food; that is why in
addition to winemakers, streets
are overflowed with providers of
culinary delights.
Typical Slovenian homemade products, such as cheese,
dried meats, oils and different
spreads, will accompany fine
foods and delicacies from
different Slovenian regions.
Among numerous other dishes,
bogrács from the northeastern
part of Slovenia, jota, a typical
stew from the littoral part,
and goulash with polenta will
be served. To spice up the
offer, visitors will also have an
opportunity to try some dishes
and wines from abroad.
The official opening of the
event will be marked by the
A Glimpse of the Ljubljana
Wine Route; Photo: D. Wedam
Open-Air Wine Stands
Photo: D. Wedam
blessing of the must which
at that point turns into wine.
Afterwards the stands, which
provide an excellent insight
into the culture and customs of
Podravje, Posavje and Primorska
wine regions, will open and
pamper the visitors throughout
the whole day.
www.radost.si
Tjaša Janovljak
Among the World’s 100 Best Restaurants
The JB restaurant in Ljubljana
is a magnet for gourmets who
appreciate good quality and
originally prepared superb food.
This year the restaurant hosted a
special academy of internationally
renowned chefs, restaurant
representatives, gourmets and
critics who ranked it on the S.
Pellegrino World’s 100 Best
Restaurants list, annually published
by the British Restaurant Magazine.
The JB Restaurant is situated in a
magnificent building at Miklošičeva
street 17, which was constructed
by the greatest Slovenian architect,
Jože Plečnik. The motto of
the owner, Chef Jože Bratovž,
trained in the best European and
Slovenian restaurants, is “pure
and sophisticated”. Guests will be
pampered by the best fusion of
Mediterranean and international
cuisine, with French and Slovenian
traditional cuisine adding the final
delectable touch. www.jb-slo.com
Špela Golčer
JB, a Ljubljana Culinary Legend
Photo: JB Restaurant Archive
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Centre of Urban Culture
One of Top 10
Prison Tours
The Celica Hostel, proclaimed to be
“the hippest hostel in the world” has
become also a major tourist attraction.
Next to the famous Alcatraz prison it
has been listed among the world’s 10
top prison tours. Guided tours through
Photo: Celica Hostel the hostel are given daily at 2 p.m.
Archive
www.tourism-review.com
Photo: M. Majcen
The Kino Šiška Centre of Urban Culture is a new
centre for contemporary creativity in Ljubljana. It is a
meeting point for all generations of artists and lovers
of contemporary performing arts. Next to organizing
music, theatre, dance and experimental events, its aim
is also to provide conditions for artistic production.
Thanks to the size and high-tech equipment the Kino
Šiška Centre of Urban Culture is one of Europe’s
largest centres of this kind.
www.kinosiska.si
A Stroll Along the Sunday Flea Market
If you think that Ljubljana sleeps on Sundays, you can not be more wrong. Every Sunday morning the
recently reconstructed banks of the Ljubljanica River attract numerous visitors.
A Typical Flea Market Scene
Photo: D. Wedam
The written records of
Breg, the area along the
Ljubljanica River in the Old
Town of Ljubljana, date from
the 14th century, when Breg
was a lively bustling port and
the main transport point of
the town. After the advent of
the rail, the area was forsaken
until recently. Last summer it
underwent major construction
works and as a result the flea
market moved from the Cankar
Embankment and the nearby
Cobbler’s Bridge to Breg. This
brought the area back to life.
The flea market takes
place on the street. When
the majority of stores in town
are closed, the street trading
awakes. It attracts numerous
professional and amateur
antiquarians who proudly
exhibit their antiques. One can
get an impression that they
almost compete with each
other on whose antiques will
fascinate and surprise more.
They are more than proud to
show them to the passersby. Right here on the street
numerous history enthusiasts
gather, to get an opportunity
for an insight into the almost
forgotten history. Exhibited
items attract curious eyes of
the passers-by and dozens of
questions arise in their minds:
“How old is this? What is this?
How can you use this?” And so
forth.
Even if visiting the flea
market out of idle curiosity,
the majority of visitors leaves
with a souvenir or two, let
it be from their own youth
or from the stories they had
listened as children. Souvenirs
from socialist times attract
especially tourists from abroad,
who shyly ask if there is
anything to buy that belonged
to Tito. But regardless of
whether you fancy antiques or
you find everything kitschy, the
Sunday flea market is an ideal
opportunity to meet old friends
or just sit in the sun and watch
the hustle and bustle of the
Sunday market place.
www.visitljubljana.si
Tjaša Janovljak
Along Ljubljanica River,
under the Castle
Photo: D. Wedam
New Parking Spaces for Tourist Buses
Reconstruction works at the Kongresni trg square began in early January 2009 and will have been
finished by the spring of 2011. During this period tourist buses can no longer park at the Kongresni trg
square, that is why alternative parking spaces are available in the Streliška ulica street, at the foot of
the Ljubljana Castle Hill.
The Kongresni trg square
reconstruction project has
been undertaken in order
to build an underground
parking garage underneath
the Kongresni trg square and
reconstruct and landscape
the square, including the
Zvezda Park. The project
began with archaeological
excavations as the site used to
be one of the central parts of
the Roman city Emona.
During reconstruction, the
Vegova ulica Street is closed
for the traffic on the side where
it meets the square. Once the
reconstruction works are over,
the Kongresni trg square will
be a pedestrian zone. Access to
the streets near the square will
be limited to delivery vehicles.
www.ljubljana.si
7
15th Ljubljana Marathon
Photo: Timing Ljubljana
Archive
Ljubljana Marathon is getting more popular every year and
the number of participants is on the increase. Competitors
are running a classical marathon (42km), a half marathon
(21km) or shorter (10km) recreational race. All the races are
held within the wider city centre area. On the last Sunday in
October, when the streets of Ljubljana and its surrounding
areas are flooded with more than 18,000 runners from 35
countries, the patter of running feet and the sound of deep
breathing replace the hum of traffic noise and the smell of
exhaust gasses. www.ljubljanskimaraton.si
New Air Routes
In December 2010, the low-fare airline
EasyJet will launch flights connecting
Ljubljana to Paris Charles de Gaulle
Airport. Flights will be three times a
week. www.easyjet.com
The Slovenian airline Adria Airways
has introduced a new service between
Ljubljana and Marseille. Two flights a
day are operated on Wednesdays and
Sundays. www.adria.si
December 2010 in Ljubljana
Like a young girl paying attention to every detail of her appearance while getting ready for an evening
date, Missy Ljubljana puts on a gala dress and looks perfect at the end of the year. Her dates come from
near and far, from home and abroad to admire her breathtaking beauty.
Ljubljana’s Cosmic Light
Design; Photo: D. Wedam
December festivities in
Ljubljana begin on 3 December
in the Prešernov trg square,
where an event entitled
People, Let’s Turn on the Light!
introduces the switching on
of festive lights across the
city, which then sparkles with
thousands of lights for over a
month. 3 December will also
see the opening of the Festive
Fair, this year set to be held
on the recently renovated and
beautifully illuminated Breg
embankment. The stalls at the
fair will be selling all kinds of
small and larger gifts, providing
a fine choice for those wanting
to show their affection to their
loved ones. As December is a
cold month, the stalls will be
wrapped in the scents of mulled
wine, fragrant tea and hot mead.
On 5 December, the good old
man St. Nicholas, accompanied
by angels and devils, will lead a
procession through the streets
of Ljubljana. According to local
tradition, good children have
every reason to look forward
to receiving presents from
him while naughty ones are
impatiently awaited by devils.
Grandpa Frost, another good
old man arriving in Ljubljana
in December, will be walking
around the city centre on three
festive afternoons. Accompanied
by white Lipizzaner horses and
all kinds of fairy-tale creatures,
he will be giving away sweets
to children, who will also be
able to enjoy puppet, dance
and magician shows held in the
Prešernov trg square.
The festively decorated
squares of Ljubljana will also
host various music concerts,
one of the highlights being the
magical Christmas Concert held
in the Prešernov trg square on
24 December. The festivities will
culminate in the New Year’s Eve
celebrations in three centrally
located squares and a fireworks
display launched from Ljubljana
Castle.
www.visitljubljana.si
Tjaša Janovljak
Fairy-Tale December
Illumination; Photo: D. Wedam
Winter Sightseeing Tours of Ljubljana
Guided tours of Ljubljana are run throughout the year, regardless of the season and weather conditions. A very
special, almost fairy tale-like experience are guided walking tours through the festively decorated Ljubljana.
The regularly scheduled
winter tour of Ljubljana takes
visitors past the old city
centre’s major sights and on
a funicular ride to Ljubljana
Castle. The two-hour tour is
run at 11 a.m. daily until 1 April.
On Saturdays at 1 p.m., it is
possible to view Ljubljana’s
Town Hall, including some of
its rooms which are normally
not open to the public. The
tour is led by a guide wearing
the traditional costume of
Ljubljana.
Your guide on a winter
tour of Ljubljana can also be
Father Christmas. In a special
festive tour he will show you
his favourite spots hidden in
between, in front of or inside
the old city centre’s most
important sights. The tour will
be run at 5 p.m. daily from 15
December and 2 January.
Another festive tour
including a walk through
magically illuminated Ljubljana
will be run daily at 6 p.m. from
20 December to 2 January
except on 31 December. At the
end of the tour, visitors will
be served a glass of sparkling
wine at Ljubljana Castle.
www.visitljubljana.si/events
Špela Golčer
Santa is Your Guide
Photo: D. Wedam
9
Two of Ljubljana’s Architectural Jewels Revived
At the heart of the old town the prestigious Galerija Emporium department store has been
opened recently. The interior is patterned after major stores, such as Galeries Lafayette in Paris
and Harrods in London. Fashion accessories, handbag and footwear department is located
on the ground floor. Among other major brands also the footwear and handbag collection by
Lara Bohinc can be found. A part of the second floor is dedicated to young Slovenian fashion
designers. Overlooking the castle, the top floor is not only an ideal meeting place, but also a
center of culinary delights. www.galerijaemporium.si At the top of the Nebotičnik skyscraper,
one of the symbols of Ljubljana, a café, a day and night club and a restaurant have been revived.
The skyscraper, which was built in 1933 and at that time the tallest building in this part of Europe,
boast the terrace with magnificent view of Ljubljana Castle and old town part. www.neboticnik.si
Nebotičnik
Skyscraper
Photo: D. Wedam
Galerija Emporium
Photo: Magistrat
Int. Archive
Ljubljana – World Book Capital 2010
Half a year has passed since Ljubljana was designated by UNESCO as the World Book Capital. Over 250 events,
which enrich the city and create a special atmosphere, have already taken place; many others are yet to come.
Urban Chair Project; Photo: S. Perar
The KIOSK shop and
reading room is located in the
Kino Šiška Center of Urban
Culture. It offers a carefully
selected range of Slovenian
and foreign publications in
the fields of art and culture,
hosts prominent authors and
organizes lectures, round-table
discussions, workshops and
exhibitions. Especially fans of
comics will be thrilled since
the center provides access
to domestic and foreign
production of the ninth art.
www.kinosiska.si/en
The Northern Park of
Ljubljana, once named Navje,
boasts new multimedia portals,
which provide access to
digital library offering books
from different cultures and in
different languages. The park
has become a popular meeting
place with modern playground
equipment, where one can
read, learn, create, contemplate
or relax.
Dr. Martin Žnideršič
donated his collection of
over 3000 miniature books,
which are not larger than 76
millimeters, from more than 53
countries and in many world
languages, to the Ljubljana City
Library.
This is the largest collection
in Central Europe. Comparable
collections can be found
in Germany, the USA and
Russia. Žnideršič’s collection
comprises also currently the
smallest book in the world,
Chekhov’s Chameleon, which
measures 0.9 x 0.9 mm.
The World Book Summit
2011, the Congress entitled
Books as Promoters of Human
Development, will be held at
the Cankarjev dom Cultural
and Congress Center from
31 March to 1 April 2011. The
main topics at the congress
will be Globalization of Book
and Digital Reading Era and
Publishing and Translating
Books from World’s Major
Languages and vice versa.
Participating experts, who play
key roles in global literature, will
provide an insight into current
events in fields of literature and
present broader understanding
of the processes in cultural and
social context. At the congress,
the Ljubljana resolution on
the book being a promoter
of human development will
be adopted and conference
volume will be published.
Welcome to Ljubljana - the
World Book Capital 2010
www.ljubljanaworldbookcapital
Meta Stvarnik
Light Guerilla Project; Photo: M. Fras
Trubar Literature House
In September 2010 Ljubljana acquired its own literature house and joined numerous European cities such
as Munich, Vienna, Hamburg, Salzburg, Cologne and Copenhagen.
The Trubar literature house
located in the heart of the city
at Stritarjeva ulica Street 7 is
a special venue reserved for
literature and books. Numerous
events throughout the year
contribute greatly to the lively
cultural and urban beat of
Ljubljana. The mission of the
Trubar literature house is to
become a reference point for
literature, books and sociocritical reflection in broader
sense. In terms of the program
the new house of literature
combines two fundamental
aspects: literary-artistic and
critically reflective. The Trubar
literature house is also the
headquarters of the new book
club, a web portal on books
and literature and exhibition
space.
Literary events taking place
on the premises are free of
charge and also free WiFi is
available. Guided tours and
presentations of the program
are conducted also in English.
en.ljubljanasvetovnaprestolnic
aknjige.si
Meta Stvarnik
10
Photo: Bio Archive
Fresh Design Trends
Tobačna 001 Cultural Centre
The Museum of Architecture and Design at Fužine
Castle is opening its doors to the 22nd Biennial
of Industrial Design (BIO), a widely acclaimed
international exhibition showcasing the latest trends
in contemporary industrial design by presenting a fine
selection of design products with a particular emphasis
on quality, originality and inventiveness. Design works
from 24 countries, selected by an international panel of
judges, will be on view from 7 October to 7 November.
www.bio.si
A new cultural centre has opened as a part of
the Tobačna mesto centre for urban culture at
Ljubljana’s former tobacco factory. Its premises
have been renovated in accordance with traditional
standards applying to the urban planning and
architecture of the area as part of the city’s cultural
heritage. From early 2011, the centre will be running
a gallery and house the Tobacco Museum’s revised
collection.
www.mestnimuzej.si
A Green Labyrinth of Art
Since November 2010, a new park has been landscaped on the outskirts
of Ljubljana, near the Museum of Architecture and Design, to a carefully
conceived design in the shape of a labyrinth. From April 2011, the park will be
offering an all-new space for bringing together nature and the city, books and
readers, and art and its consumers.
The Labyrinth of Art project
combines the concepts of
creating new green spaces within
urban environment, the culture
of book reading, and walking as
art. The park’s maze will consist
of 287 yew trees lining a winding
path leading to the centre of
the maze. 50 slabs bearing
inscriptions about art, books,
walking and life will be placed
alongside the path for visitors
to read and consider while
advancing through the maze. A
wooden bench with various kinds
of books will be placed in the
heart of the maze.
The Labyrinth of Art has
been conceived by the Bulgarian
visual artist, set designer and
professor of digital art Venelin
Shurelov as a work of art
changing with time. To get a
better idea about the charms of
this work of sustainable art, view
the animation at www.labirintumetnosti.si.
On your way to the Labyrinth
of Art, you can stop at the nearby
Fužine Castle, a picturesque
Renaissance mansion by the river
Ljubljanica housing the Museum
of Architecture and Design.
To get there, take the city bus
service no. 20 to Fužine and
get off at the final stop. You can
also easily reach the Labyrinth
by bicycle, either on your own
or in a group, accompanied by
a qualified guide who will make
Fužine Castle, Home of
Museum of Architecture and
Design
Photo: M. A. D. Archive
sure that you feel safe enjoying
wind in your hair while riding
across old and new bridges
and footbridges spanning
the Ljubljanica and past two
monuments of technical history,
the Ljubljanica River Sluice Gate
by the architect Jože Plečnik and
a historical iron-smelting works.
www.aml.si/history-of-fuzinecastle
Meta Stvarnik
Month of Design 2010
The 2010 Design Month,
held from 21 October to 21
November, will be the region’s
largest and most diverse design
festival, showcasing the greatest
achievements of Slovenian and
international design. Apart from
a 30-day series of attractive
design-related events held at
various clearly marked street
locations under the title Design
in the City, it will include an
exhibition titled All Design Expo
and held from 21 to 22 October
at the Viba film studios, which
will provide an interactive
space for showcasing awarded
design products. A selection
of awarded design products
from around the world will
also be on view in an attractive
open-air exhibition held at
the Breg embankment by the
Ljubljanica river until the last
day of the festival. Each year,
the Design Month is centred
around a particular theme
related to the role of design in
Conference within the
Month of Design
Photo: Zavod Big Archive
Culinary Design
Photo: Zavod Big Archive
the creative industry, business
world or cultural and social
practices. This year’s theme is
“Transformation”.
www.monthofdesign.com
Meta Stvarnik
12
The Conventa 2011 Show
The 3rd edition of the Meetings and Incentive Travel Show for South East
Europe takes place on 19 and 20 January 2011 at the GR - Ljubljana Exhibition
and Convention Centre. By October 2010, over 70 exhibitors have confirmed
their participation, to network with mainly European meeting planners who
wish to learn more about this very diverse region. Conventa 2010 attracted
100 suppliers of M&IT services from Slovenia and seven other countries
(Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bulgaria
and Romania) and over 150 hosted buyers from Slovenia and abroad (18
countries). The organiser of the event is the Slovenian Convention Bureau,
www.conventa.info
and Ljubljana Tourism is one of the main partners.
The Alpe Adria Show revived
Block the dates for the Alpe Adria: Tourism and Leisure Show: 27 to
30 Jan 2011 at the GR, which primarily showcases the tourism offer
of 11 geographical regions in Slovenia and its neighbouring countries.
The event gives a unique opportunity to discover the surprising
array of experiences presented in 27 product categories, tailored
for different interest groups, or tribes. These are, respectively,
the Holiday-, Active-, Excursion- and Traveller tribe, meaning that
everyone can find attractive contents and travel motives. By uniting
the diverse and exciting offer with a focus on the Alps Adriatic
region, this show has a unique concept. www.gr-sejem.si
Venues on the Rocks
Two prime locations: extra large and high above
Happy 30, Cankarjev dom!
Cankarjev dom Cultural and
Congress Centre, the largest
purpose-built convention centre
in Slovenia, is concluding its
30th anniversary celebration
with an eye to the future.
Instead of a grand party, new
refurbishment plans have been
given priority.
Cankarjev dom, featuring
altogether 21 function rooms,
the largest of which is a
2,000-seater auditorium, now
hosts over 2,000 events and
600,000 visitors yearly. The
numbers attained over the
past three decades are quite
impressive: over 11,000,000
visitors at 33,000 cultural,
scientific, trade and other
events. Starting the fourth
decade of its operation, the
major part of the Centre has
undergone at least a soft
Grand Reception Hall; Photo: D. Arrigler
The GoodLife Castle Lounge Club
The Ljubljana cafe scene has
recently welcomed a special
venue for socialising that is …
solid as a rock! And also the
highest in terms of altitude,
since the Ljubljana Castle
stands 70 metres above the
city. The so-called Rock Hall
has come back to life wearing
a trendier lounge attire and a
new name.
The GoodLife Castle Lounge
Club’s concept features
live music events and other
attractive programmes from
Wednesday to Saturday till wee
hours, while during the rest
of the week the schedules are
not that extended. During the
warmer months, a shadowy &
green outdoor section spreading
towards the ancient moat
provides a cool alternative.
The Club can be privatised for
social functions, with selected
catering being available on the
spot. Swift access to the castle is
provided by the funicular railway
running from the Old Town.
www.kaval-group.si
Goodlife Castle Lounge
Club; Photo: Kaval Group
Archive
Small Gallery; Photo: D. Arrigler
renovation, while certain
sections have been functionally
redesigned following extensive
refurbishment.
The main focus during the last
summer was the demanding
renovation of the Grand
Reception Hall which is, so as
the entire building, listed as a
protected architectural heritage
and hence needed special
attention. This project was
performed as the first stage of
the 2010-2013 investment cycle.
The related value is estimated at
6.5 million euro, while only the
hall’s renovation was worth one
million. This included, among
other, the placement of over
70 km of new cables, 2,000
electricity sockets and lights,
practically all hidden under the
ceiling, which is composed of
40,000 metal particles. The air
condition and sound system, the
support to IT and multimedia
are among other upgrades. All
the technical improvements
will provide lower energy
consumption and an even
better environment for large
gatherings staged there.
The renovation was carried
out while Cankarjev dom was
fully operational and two larger
congresses were taking place,
without any inconveniences to
organisers or delegates alike – a
best practice case.
www.cd-cc.si
13
Ljubljana Climbs Again on the ICCA Chart
The International Congress and Convention
Association (ICCA), which collects statistical data on
international association congresses and trends, has
published the 2009 Statistics Report. Ljubljana was
ranked 64th on the global scale, five places higher
than a year earlier, and 35th among the top European
convention cities.
According to ICCA criteria only events which have at
least 50 delegates, rotate among a minimum of three
destinations and are organised on a regular basis (one-
time events are not considered) can be included into
the database. Ljubljana hosted 26 such events, sharing
its ranking with Brisbane, Florence and New Delhi.
Organizers of international meetings favour Ljubljana
not only due to its safety and attractiveness but also
due to the well-developed infrastructure: two flexible
convention centres, with maximum plenary seating for
2,000 people each, plus hotel and academic venues,
provide an array of options for holding meetings.
www.iccaworld.com
New Entries on the Hotel Scene
Bijou & Boutique – the Antiq Palace
The Antiq Palace is a delightful
novelty in Ljubljana’s hotel
portfolio. The owners of the
first “hotel de charme” in the
Old Town – the Antiq, have
created a second stylish
property, uniting modern
amenities with a distinct
historic flair. The hotel’s unique
central location, at the edge
of the ancient wall once
surrounding the Roman city
of Emona, is complemented
by the building’s history, as it
was first mentioned in written
records in the early 1500’s. As a
past residence of several noble
families, it is an indelible part
of Ljubljana’s cultural heritage.
The continuous alterations and
metamorphosis, from baroque
to classicistic style, are still
reflected in its architectural
traits. The ideas and inspiration
for the renovation of the Antiq
Palace were taken from the
building’s original features,
such as the walls, staircases,
windows and frescoes, which
also became the centrepieces
for the interior design. The use
of natural materials, including
Antiq Palace, Reception Area; Photo: Ž. Koritnik
A Business-Oriented Aparthotel
The recently opened 3-star
Aparthotel Birokrat, mostly
intended for the business
traveller, offers a total of 6
elegantly appointed rooms
and 12 suites. It boasts a
convenient location just a short
way from the Ljubljana ring
road, the new Stadium and
multipurpose arena as well as
Dunajska cesta Street, one of
the main thoroughfares leading
to the city centre, which is 4
km away. The property also
provides attractive offers
for those planning a longer
business stay in Ljubljana, with
packages including the use of
lecture rooms and even tax
consultancy services, on top
of business facilitation and
secretarial support.
Being close to the Laguna
Resort, a large recreational and
sports centre, the Aparthotel
Birokrat offers its guests
negotiated rates for relaxation
in the sauna, fitness, swimming
pool and other sports activities.
www.birokrathotel.si
Antiq Palace, Living Room in Suite; Photo: Ž. Koritnik
stone, wood and lime, allows
the walls to “breathe”, thus
stimulating the natural air
circulation and pleasant air
temperatures.
The Antiq Palace offers 13
boutique suites and exclusive
residential apartments, each
equipped with a master
bedroom, living room, kitchen,
dining area and a spacious
bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub.
It also features a number of
facilities that are available for
the guests’ convenience, such
as 24-hour concierge service,
luxury spa, leisure facilities
with 3 different kinds of sauna,
executive business centre, one
conference (max 60 guests)
and two boardroom suites (10
guests), several reading and
relaxation areas, three lounge
bars, a private garden and a
courtyard.
The Antiq Palace has joined
the renowned collection of the
Historic Hotels of Europe and
Schlosshotels & Herrenhauser,
and its authentic design has
been captured in the upcoming
issue of the »500 Very Special
Hotels of the World«.
www.antiqpalace.com
Aparthotel Birokrat; Photo: Birokrat Archive
14
Slovenia’s Top Ski Resort
Krvavec Ski Resort
Photo: RTC Krvavec
Archive
Of all Slovenian ski resorts, the nearest to Ljubljana is Krvavec, located 25 kilometres from the city. Lying only
seven kilometres away from Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, it is also the nearest of all ski resorts in Europe to
an international airport. In the last four ski seasons Krvavec has been voted “Slovenia’s Top Ski Resort” in the
Good Morning, Ljubljana poll, which included responses from skiers from across the country. Its pistes, lying at
altitudes between 1450 and 1971 metres and totalling 35 kilometres in length, are varied enough to satisfy both
recreational and competitive skiers. Ski lessons and equipment hire and service are available, as well as a piste
equipped with an electronic time measurement device, a safe-skiing practice course, a children’s magic carpet
and activity field with play facilities, and a merry-go-round. One of the big attractions is Igloo Village. A free
ski bus service from Ljubljana is available during the ski season. Due to a pleasant atmosphere, friendly service
and plenty of entertainment events, skiers leave Krvavec happy and eager to return.
www.rtc-krvavec.si
The Kolpa. Touch a Tale.
The river Kolpa connects two countries, Slovenia and Croatia. It is an exceptional river set in peaceful
scenic surroundings whose diverse natural vegetation and wildlife have hardly been disturbed. Its
section from Stari trg to Dragoši is part of the Kolpa Nature Park.
Idyllic Countryside,
surrounded by Vineyards,
Fields and Forests.
Photo: TD Vigred Archive
Murmur of nature
Down the Kolpa, up the hill!
The river Kolpa is one of
Slovenia’s warmest rivers,
suitable for various sports and
recreational activities such
as bathing, boating, rafting,
canoeing and fishing. Possibilities
are countless as the river flows
both through flat plains and
a canyon. Being a clean and
safe river, it is perfect for family
holidays. The river area is crisscrossed with hiking routes, many
of them also suitable for cyclists.
Kolpa Valley tales
The Kolpa river area is well
known for its traditional manners
and customs and numerous
mythological characters, such as
the bearer of spring Zeleni Jurij,
the Kolpjanke river nymphs, the
Devil of Bilpa, and the legendary
folk hero Peter Klepec. The area
is home to five different ethnic
groups (Slovenians, Croats,
Uskoks, Gottschee Germans and
the Romani) and three different
churches (Roman Catholic, Greek
Catholic and Orthodox).
The Kolpa Valley’s scenic
countryside offers an opportunity
for a perfect mixture of outdoor
activities and cultural tourism.
Visitors can learn about traditional
arts and crafts, including the
making of the pisanice decorated
Easter eggs and napkins of Bela
Krajina, pottery, paper flowers,
and wicker baskets. The locals are
eager to tell visitors about the life
in the valley.
Exciting explorations of the
Kolpa Valley can be rounded
off perfectly by sampling local
delicacies and wines, served by
friendly and welcoming locals. The
area’s typical foods include the
belokranjska pogača flat bread,
the kostelski želodec stuffed pig’s
stomach, and the žitna klobasa
pork and millet sausage, the
latter mainly served in spring and
autumn. To quench their thirst,
visitors are offered homemade
apple juice and the locally bottled
water marketed as Costella.
Belokranjska Pogača
Flat Bread
Photo: A. Robert Kokol
The Kolpa river is well known
for its extraordinary biodiversity.
It provides home to over 30
different fish species, including
nine endangered ones, as well as
otters, beavers, pond terrapins,
endemic black olms and many
other animals. The river area is
inhabited by numerous rare bird
and big game species, including
bears, lynx and wolves. In order
to protect the local biodiversity
and natural beauty, the river
area between the settlements of
Stari trg and Dragoši has been
protected as a nature park.
The tourism product of the
Kolpa Valley, marketed under
the slogan “The Kolpa. Touch
a Tale.”, has been conceived to
provide several days of holiday
activities for romantic couples
and families with children. Guided
explorations of the area are
available to groups.
www.kolpariver.eu
Rich Biodiversity, »Vinomerski
Stelniki«; Photo: TD Vigred
Archive
How to get there
If you travel from Ljubljana, the
upper reaches of the Kolpa river
(the villages of Osilnica, Kostel
and Kočevsko) can be reached
via Kočevje and Petrina, and the
middle and lower riches of the
river (the Bela Krajina area) either
via Žužemberk, Črnomelj and
Vinica or Novo Mesto and Metlika.
Ljubljana’s New Landmarks:
The Crater and The Shell
Since August 2010, Ljubljana has had two new landmarks, a football stadium and a multi-purpose arena,
located right next to the city’s ring road. The two fascinating monumental buildings, nicknamed The Shell
and The Crater, are equipped to host anything from sporting events to business meetings.
The Shell and The Crater are part
of the new Stožice Sports Park,
eagerly awaited by the city’s
sports fans. Following many years
of planning, the sports park so
far consists of a multi-purpose
arena for 12,000 spectators and
a football stadium, which can
accommodate 16,000 people.
The stadium is sunken into the
ground so that only its roof,
reminiscent of the football goal
net, rises above the level of the
park. Visually it suggests the
crater of a volcano whose flanks
are covered with grass – hence
the nickname The Crater. Along
with the new multi-purpose
arena, called The Shell due to
its shell-like shape, it forms
a stunning new architectural
landmark of Ljubljana and an icon
of Slovenian sport.
The Stožice Sports Hall and
Stadium opened with sold-out
matches between the national
basketball teams of Slovenia and
Spain and the national football
teams of Slovenia and Australia,
which were soon followed by
»The Crater« Stožice Stadium; Photo Zavod Tivoli Archive
a boxing match in which the
Slovenian boxing hero Dejan Zavec
defended his IBF Welterweight
World Champion title.
The Stožice Sports Park also
serves as a concert venue. By
»The Shell« Stožice Sports Hall
Photo Zavod Tivoli Archive
the end of November it will
have hosted such big names in
music as Jose Carreras, Leonard
Cohen, Joe Cocker, and Robin
Gibb of the Bee Gees. The multipurpose Arena is also available as
a venue for business events and
conferences.
Tjaša Janovljak
Bridges over Quiet Water
In terms of the number of bridges, Ljubljana could almost compete with Venice. Two new city centre
bridges were completed a few months ago, which takes the number of bridges in Ljubljana to 66.
Bridges have always been
seen as a symbol of freedom and
collaboration. They overcome
seemingly insurmountable
obstacles and connect opposite
sides. And each of the 66 bridges
in Ljubljana has a story of its own.
Right on the spot where one
of the first medieval bridges in
Ljubljana once stood is the Triple
Bridge, one of the city’s landmarks.
The present one, created in 1931,
was designed by Ljubljana’s
famous architect Jože Plečnik,
who added a pedestrian bridge
to each side of an existing 19th
century bridge, now the widest
of the three. This is where many
people stop, seat on a colourful
bench for a while, and absorb the
vibrancy of the traffic-free area
around Prešernov trg square.
Ljubljana’s most
photographed bridge is the
Dragon Bridge, Decorated with
four impressive dragon statues
The new Butchers’ Bridge; Photo D. Wedam
and sixteen smaller dragons
symbolic of Ljubljana, it is one
of the most authentic examples
of the city’s Art Nouveau
architecture. Almost a century
ago, Plečnik prepared designs for
a bridge by the Central market
to be named after butchers.
Only this summer a bridge of
this name was built to a modern
design by the architect Jurij
Kobe. Intended for pedestrians,
the wide Butchers’ Bridge has
a strip of glass paving along its
sides. It is decorated with bronze
sculptures by the contemporary
sculptor Jakov Brdar. Depicting
Adam and Eve, a satyr, the
wounded Prometheus, and all
kinds of creatures, the sculptures
make you feel as if passing
through a fairy-tale while crossing
it. The Butchers’ Bridge also
attracts lovers with a balustrade
where they can attach padlocks
and drop the keys into the river
as a symbol of their timeless
commitment.
A little further down the
river stands Ljubljana’s youngest
bridge, the Grain Bridge,
named after the former name
of the square next to it. Being
a pedestrian bridge wider in
the middle than at the ends, it
provides space for a lookout
point with benches.
Other bridges located
within a ten-minute walk from
the Old Town, or in it, include
the Cobblers’ Bridge, which is
remarkable for its balustrade with
tall pillars, St. James’s Bridge,
and the Prule Bridge. The latter,
connecting the sunny Prule area
and Špica embankment with
Opekarska ulica (Brick Street), is
brick-paved.
Whichever bridge you may
choose to cross the Ljubljanica
river, there will be a smile on your
face when you reach the other
bank.
Tjaša Janovljak