Ljubljana is the capital and the largest city of Slovenia. It is a Central European city lying at an altitude of 298 m above the sea level in a broad basin between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. It covers a surface area of 275 km2 and has a population of 276,000. Its climate is continental, with an average temperature of 3,4˚ C in January and 21,9˚ C in July.
The Ljubljana City is the scientific, culture, political, economic and administrative center of Slovenia. It is the seat of the central government, all government ministries, Parliament and the Office of the President of Slovenia.

Name of Ljubljana
Historians disagree about the origin of the Ljubljana name. A close similarity to the Slovene word “ljubljena“, meaning “beloved“, is generally thought to be coincidental. Some historians belive that the name came from the Latin term for a flooding river, “alluviana“, or that the name came from the word “Laubach”, meaning “a swamp“.

Dragon - a simbol of Ljubljana

The town hall is topped with a dragon, the city simbol but quite a recent one. A wily mayor at the turn of the century apparently convinced the authorities in Vienna that Ljubljana needed a new crossing over the Ljubljanica River and the Dragon bridge was built to the nort-east. The natives of Ljubljana say that the dragons wag their tails whenever a virgin crosses the bridge.

Top 10 attractions

1. Ljubljana Castle: Ljubljana Castle was built in the 16th century on the top of the Castle Hill. The hill is 70m above the Ljubljanica River and you can climb to the hill in various ways: walking from Stari trg, from Gornji trg, and from Vodnikov trg, by bike or - from 10th january 2006 - by Cable Rail.
2. Prešernov trg: Prešernov trg is dedicated to the greatest Slovenian poet, Dr. France Prešeren. It is a central square acting as the main artery linking the Left Bank with the Old Town. It is often used in summer for open concerts on warm evenings. On New Year’s Eve this square is the central place for many people to celebrate.
3. Ljubljanica River: The River Ljubljanica is Ljubljana’s heart. During summer months, the banks are packed with couples, friends, families and vistors. Pull up a chair at one of the cafes and experience the pulse of the city. Every Sunday morning there is a Flea Market and Antique Fair along River Ljubljanica (Cankarjevo nabrežje). An exception is December, when there different events intended for people of all ages and different tastes take place there.
4. Tivoli Park: Tivoli is a perfect place to relax yourself. It is a popular spot for walking and running. A series of walkways, funtains and benches meander through the landscape grasses. The lower level of this park includes the playground and recreation centre with swimming pool, bowling alleys and tennis courts. There is also a Tivoli Castle containing the International Centre of Graphic Art. From Tivoli Park you can also climb to the top of the Rožnik Hill (394 m) for wonderful views of the city.
5. Central Market: On the central market you will discover the Ljubljana’s soul. There is simply no better place to barter and bing. Central Market lies just across the Triple Bridge from Prešernov trg. This open-air marketplace sells fresh fruit, cheeses and souvenirs all week long.
6. Križanke: At Križanke, on the Square of the French Revolution can be experienced everything, from poetry to rock, from traces of every historical period to modern architectural creations. It is quite majestic on warm evenings, when the festival lights are shining in the summer theatre here.
   
7. Slovenska: Slovenska is the major shopping street. Adittionaly, contains great art nouveau architecture.
8. National Museum of Slovenia: It is the oldest museum in Slovenia. Here you will find the Slovene national character, and the life of people, plants and animals from the past to the present day.
9. Krakovo & Trnovo: Because of their special features, Trnovo and Krakovo have always been interesting Ljubljana suburbs. Krakovo was once a village engaged in fishing and horticulture, and a marshy suburban area. The painter Rihard Jakopič was born here.
10. Museum of Modern Art: Museum of modern art is housed in an ugly modern building that is like stepping into a cold shower after walking around other museums. The gallery shows part of its permanent collection of 20th century Slovenian art. A large part of the building is given over to temporary exhibitions.

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