The City of Dragons

I have put together a list of the things I love about Ljubljana (Loob-ee-ana). This is a great little city, I have never felt so safe wondering around a city alone. I can still hear the old man who would play his accordion in the main square each evening, it was like living in a black and white film. Ljubljana is also one of the most eco-friendly cities in Europe, which makes sauntering around the pretty streets all the more charming.

Myths and Legends

You may be wondering what the story behind the dragon (above) is. This dragon is in fact the emblem of Ljubljana and can be found on the city's coat of arms. The story goes that the Greek hero Jason (from the tale of Jason and the Argonauts) was the founder of Ljubljana. In a nutshell, Jason travelled aboard the ship the Argo, stealing the Golden Fleece from King Aeëtes. On his return to Greece he travelled across the Black Sea, along the Danube and the Sava until he came to the Ljubljanica river. After reaching land, the team dismantled the Argo, and began to carry it towards the Adriatic sea. Along the way they came across a lake near the source of the Ljubljanica, the dwelling place of a dragon. On finding the monster, Jason slayed it and he and the Argonauts continued their journey back to Greece.

Today, the dragon is seen as the protector of the city and takes pride of place on the Dragon Bridge in the centre of Ljubljana.

Fun Fact:

The concept of The Golden Fleece originates from fact. In ancient times, sheep fleece was placed at the bottom of river beds to catch particles of gold which remained suspended in the water.

The Market

Every morning one can saunter around the market which sells food, clothes, antiques, you name it. Getting lost in the labyrinth of stalls is great fun, and there is always the possibility of a good haggle with one or two of the stall holders!

Sunset Boat Rides

Floating down the river with a cold drink in hand was one of the highlights of my trip. I would highly recommend taking the sunset tour, watching the light catch on the languid river.

The University Library

Designed by Jože Plečnik and executed between 1936 and 1941, the architectural interior of the library was designed to become lighter as you reach the higher levels of the building. The idea was that the students would progress up the floors as their educational journey progressed. On reaching the highest and lightest level they were said to have reached educational enlightenment.

The Main Square

The main square lies in front of the rather interesting Franciscan church of the Annunciation in the centre of the city. It has become a symbol for Ljubljana due to its unique pink facade. When I was there, in honour of Ljubljana's recent 'greenest city in Europe' status there was a recycled rainfall feature in the middle of the square. I can still hear the local accordion player, his music drifting into the night, melding with the pattering of rain on the ground. This is the best place to sit and watch the world go by...

Ljubljana Castle

You can choose to be hauled up to the castle via the outdoor lift, but personally I find there is no better way to experience a place than to walk absolutely everywhere. I therefore completed the leviathan trek up the mountain, and at the top discovered a great piazza surrounded by the ancient Ljubljana Castle. A wealth of history lies inside.

The Music Festival

The annual music festival in the park is free for all to listen to and goes on for days. You can either pay to enter the bar area, or simply hang out in the park, feeling the reverberations all through the night.

I simply can't describe the collective atmosphere of this place, but it is unforgettable, I was extremely taken with it.

All photos in this post are Emerald Kimono originals