The Three Bridges

The middle one of the three stone bridges (Tromostovje) was built in 1842 on the place of the earlier wooden bridge from the Middle Ages. It was strategically very important, as it connected the countries of northwestern Europe with the Balkans and southeastern Europe. In 1929-32, the great architect Jože Plečnik added a pedestrian bridge on the left and on the right, creating a unique architectural feature of Ljubljana.

The National and University Library

The National and University Library, which also houses numerous medieval manuscripts, incunabula and Renaissance prints in its rich collection, was built in 1936-41 and is Plečnik's most significant work in Slovenia. It stands on the site of the former 17th-century Baroque Prince's Castle, which was demolished after the earthquake of 1895. The building exterior shows influences of Italian palaces. The characteristic facade, a combination of bricks and variously worked stone blocks, is modeled on the house of the Roman artist Federico Zuccari. Two figures of horse heads symbolizing Pegasus serve as the door handle on the entrance door - the mythological horse is supposed to carry the visitors of the library into the world of knowledge.

St. Michael's Church

Built in 1937-40, this church is one of the most original works of the great architect Jože Plečnik. The building exterior is the interweaving of a church in the style of Slovenian Karst with elements of a Greek temple. Since the church is located in the moorland, it stands on pylons. Its construction is partly made of wood. Through the slender and perforated bell tower for an interestingly designed staircase into the church.

The house of Plečnik

Learn about the life and work of the famous Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik, who left his mark on Ljubljana's cityscape. Plečnik's house features the architect's well-preserved apartment with all the interior and exterior furnishings he created, as well as a permanent exhibition about Plečnik. In the house that Plečnik lived in after his return home (1921), the preserved living quarters as well as personal belongings of the great architect can be seen. Plečnik rebuilt this house as well as the older neighboring house in Ljubljana's then suburb and added a tower in the courtyard.

Buildings of the covered marketplaces

The buildings next to the Ljubljana River, reminiscent of Venetian palaces, are among the most famous buildings in Ljubljana. While Plecnik, when constructing the buildings on the river side, took as a model the Italian Renaissance, he built in front of the gate entrances, on the other side, a series of columns resembling antiquity. It is hard to believe, but it is so: all the splendor of the buildings he dedicated to bakeries, butcher stores and fish stores.

The summer theater Križanke

The Križanke Summer Theater is one of the greatest architectural sights of Ljubljana. In 1952-1956, architect Jože Plečnik transformed the former 13th century monastery of the Teutonic Order into one of the city's central cultural venues. In summer, Križanke, which can accommodate up to 1,400 people, regularly hosts events as part of the Ljubljana Festival. The renovation of the summer theater was Plečnik's last work.

Weir on the Ljubljanica River

The design of the Ljubljanica River and its banks, designed by Jože Plečnik, runs out at the weir near the old sugar factory (Cukrarna). The great architect conceived the weir as a symbolic triumphal arch through which the water leaves the city. The purpose of the dam is to regulate the water level in the center of the city. Plečnik made the first design in the early thirties, later he corrected it considerably. The weir was built in 1939-44.

Cemetery Žale

At the beginning of the thirties, the city authorities decided to transform the then Holy Cross Cemetery into the central city cemetery. When they were not satisfied with the plans of architect Ivo Spinčič in 1936, Plečnik designed a completely original complex of funeral chapels, called "Žale", after which the entire cemetery complex was later named, in contrast to the usual burial halls of the time, by 1940. A monumental entrance leads to the Žale funeral complex through a triumphal arch with numerous columns on two floors, which symbolically separates the city of the dead from the city of the living.

Cobbler's Bridge (Cevljarski most)

Where today stands the Cobbler's Bridge (Cevljarski most), built in 1931/32 according to the plans of architect Jože Plecnik, there used to be a wooden bridge, which in the Middle Ages connected two centers of the city of Ljubljana, namely the Mestni trg and the Novi trg. On it stood cobbler's workshops, after which the bridge was named.

Trnovski pristan promenade

The Trnovski pristan promenade, with its large stone steps descending to the river, is a very special architectural creation of the great master Jože Plecnik and one of the most beautiful promenades in Ljubljana. In recent years it has also become a popular meeting place for dates: Especially the younger generation meets at "Ljubljana's beach" in nice weather, especially in summer, and enjoys its atmosphere.