Slovenia Cities

LJUBLJANA

Ljubljana is classified as a mid-sized European city, but it has preserved its small-town friendliness and relaxed atmosphere while providing all the facilities of a modern capital. During winter, its dreamy central European character prevails, and during summer its relaxed Mediterranean feel. 

 

 

Ljubljana has preserved evidence of a five thousand year history including, among others, the remains of the Roman city of Emona and the old city centre with its medieval castle, Baroque façades, decorative portals and uneven roofs. Other significant bits of the city mosaic are picturesque bridges across the Ljubljanica river and the vast Tivoli park, which stretches into the very Ljubljana city centre.

 

 

In the second half of the 20th century, it was the world famous architect Jože Plečnik that put an indelible personal stamp on his native Ljubljana (Triple Bridge - Tromostovje, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Žale Cemetery, Ljubljana, Slovenia) . The city's appearance was further shaped by his students and a new wave of renowned young Slovenian architects.

 

Among other things, Ljubljana boasts one of the world's oldest philharmonic societies. Each year it hosts over 10,000 Ljubljana cultural events, from prestigious musical, theatre and art events to alternative and avant-garde events, notably including 14 international festivals in Ljubljana.

 

For finding appropriate accomodation in Ljubljana, Slovenia you can choose among various accommodation types, from low budget Ljubljana hotels (Bit center Hotel, Ljubljana) and hostels in Ljubljana, to the most confortable and sophisticated Ljubljana hotels (Allegro Hotel, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Grand Hotel Union, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Hotel Lev, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Slon Best Western, Ljubljana, Slovenia, etc.).

 

 

MARIBOR

 

The rich Slovenian wine tradition of the oldest vine in the world, the throb of the city with its flourishing cultural history, its location amidst wine growing hills and green Pohorje as well as the various possibilities for exploring, recreation, relaxation, entertainment and meetings will convince you that Maribor has a heart and soul and that the people of Maribor are excellent hosts (Grand Hotel Ocean, Maribor, Slovenia)!

 

The old town core promises unforgettable adventure: walk along the river Drava embankment and through the lively streets and squares, where history and tradition blend with dynamics and modernity. Let Lent, the oldest part of the town, enchant you with its Old Vine, the oldest vine in the world, with medieval towers and remains of the old town walls, and moreover the square Grajski trg with the castle and museum, the square Glavni trg with the Plague monument and the Town hall, Bishop Slomšek's Cathedral with its viewing tower, the Jewish synagogue, the Art Gallery and theatre, just to mention a few!

 

The city streets lead to one of the most beautiful city parks in Slovenia. Climb up Piramida and Kalvarija, town wine hills with their wonderful views of the city. And go down in the wine underworld, into one of the oldest and biggest wine cellars in Europe. At all events take trip with a traditional raft on the river Drava, as this exciting adventure offers a charming view of Lent. Be caught up in the swirl of events, from Festival Lent, Slovenia, the Old Vine Festival, Festival Maribor, the theatre festival Borštnikova srečanje to the Golden Fox World Cup, Slovenia and numerous other happenings, which enliven Maribor's everyday life.

 

PTUJ

 

Ptuj is the oldest documented town in Slovenia and is situated in North-Eastern Slovenia, in the centre of Lower Podravje region at the border with Prlekija region. Among historical sights, hospitality of people is proved by good Ptuj accommodation capacities (Grand Hotel Promus, Ptuj, Slovenia).

 

 

Its history reaches back to the Stone Age, but the city experienced its greatest flowering in the Roman period. The name originates in the times of Emperor Trajan, who granted the settlement city status and named it Colonia Ulpia Traiana Poetovio. In 69 A.D. Roman Poetovio developed into an important military, commercial, customs, and administrative center. Forty thousand people lived in the Ptuj area in this period, a number never since reached. It was later burned by the Huns and occupied by the Avars and the Slavs. 

 

The hill where Ptuj Castle, Slovenia stands was settled in prehistoric and Roman times and due to its strategic position also attracted medieval feudal lords. Today, Ptuj Castle is a museum. On the ground floor visitors can inspect musical instruments used in the past by wealthy Ptuj noblemen and citizens.

 

 

Ptuj is the center place of a ten-day-long carnival in the spring, an ancient Slavic pagan rite of spring and fertility, called Kurentovanje or Korantovanje.Organized in groups, Kurents go through town, from house to house, making noise with their bells and wooden sticks, to symbolically scare off evil spirits and the winter.

 

 

PIRAN

 

Piran is a very special, precious city. It is the best preserved cultural monument of Slovenian Istria and the closest neighbour of Portorož, the luxurious city of flowers. Each time one looks at Piran from a distance or from the air, one is overcome by feeling of surprise. Loved by the eyes of the people and by the eye of the camera, its image is known all over the world. When you visit Piran, Slovenia, you should take a closer look at its architecture, influenced by the Venetian Republic, which left its mark on most Istrian towns.

 

 

Throughout time, Piran maintained the clustered medieval structure narrow winding streets, houses huddled close together, rising in cascades, the contact with the sea, numerous squares and churches. Piran Tartini Square, Slovenia is the gem found in the very centre of Piran. It was named after the famous violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, who made the town world-famous. His statue is located in the centre of the square. The city is surrounded by a circular wall. Piran is a member of the European Walled Cities Association. The city of Piran is a national historical monument.

 

 

People earn their living mainly by tourism. Numerous events take place all year round in the open and in magnificent buildings named after famous people from Piran. The Church of. St. George, Piran, Slovenia the patron saint of Piran, rises above the town. From its lookout tower you have a wonderful view of Piran and its surroundings and all the way across the sea to the Croatian and Italian Coast. Two hotels, a youth hostel, a number of private rooms, churches, galleries, museums and Piran Aquarium invite you to come and see for yourself.

 

 

IZOLA

 

The old Mediterranean town of Izola leans on the southwestern coast of the Gulf of Trieste, where the genuine tradition of fishing and winemaking, the mistical traces of the past and the kindness of the locals form an unforgettable mosaic of experiences. 

 

 

The turbulent history of the little fishing town created wonderful architecture treasures and old legends, which bring you back in time when Izola was still an island. The spirit of the Meditteranean can be felt with every step on clustered medieval streets, with the view of the rocking boats, with a relaxing chat with the locals, and with the aroma of speciality seafood dishes accompanied by good Slovenian wine.

 

 

In Izola it is never boring because there are various sport, culture and entertainment events throughout the whole year and they are inspired by old customs and traditions. Museum, galleries and studios will bring you to the world of Istrian art and craft, but if you wish to experience real spiritual refreshment, sail the Adriatic sea.

 

Picturesque countryside of Izola with many valleys and long hills offers gourmet delights, which can be explored in several local restaurants and on tourist farms, most of which have a wonderful view of the Gulf of Trieste. Izola's hinterland offers countless possibilities for roaming around and exploring the natural beauty of Istrian hills, on which are situated lovely stone houses and old churches. Various events and regattas taking place in Izola Marina, Slovenia (Marina di Isola).

 

 

KOPER

 

Koper is a coastal town and municipality and the largest commercial port in Slovenia, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The town has a population of 23,726 and is the main urban center of Slovenian Istria.

Koper grew to become the capital of Venetian Istria and was renamed Caput Histriae, "head of Istria" (from which stems its modern Italian name, Capodistria).

 

The town of Koper is officially bilingual, with both Slovene and Italian as official languages. Sights in Koper include the 15th-century Praetorian Palace and Loggia in Venetian Gothic style, the 12th century Carmine Rotunda church, and the Cathedral of St Nazarius, with its 14th-century tower.

 

Koper is also one of the main road entry points into Slovenia from Italy, which lies to the north of the municipality. The main motorway crossing is at Spodnje Škofije to the north of the town of Koper. The motorway continues into Rabuiese and Trieste. Koper also has a rail connection with the capital city Ljubljana. On the coast, there is a crossing at Lazaret into Lazaretto in Muggia municipality in Trieste province. The Italian border crossing is known as San Bartolomeo.

 

 

NOVA GORICA

 

Nova Gorica, a small town at the border with Italy, has been the heart of the sunny Goriška region for almost six decades. It has grown after the World War II as a substitute town for Gorizia, which remained on the other side of the border. As a uniqe example in Europe, the two towns are located at the border with no border crossings and living in a greater co-existence at all levels.

 

 

Nova Gorica is a town of roses. This is an attractive town for entertainment as in all seasons various venues, indoors or outdoors, offer a rich selection of events. Nova Gorica, a gaming town where two entertainment centres and several casinos offer entertainment with the most modern gaming equipment. A pleasant atmosphere is complemented by excellent cuisine, Nova Gorica accommodation and wellness services. 

 

 

To the northeast, Nova Gorica is protected from the cold winds by the Trnovo and Banjšice plateau, a marvellous world with a completely different climate, full of folk traditions and natural attractions which in a special way enrich the sport of hiking. Lovers of peace will be impressed by the widespread Trnovo Forest which invites you to take biking paths and hiking trails where you can get to know rich fauna and flora. Those interested in flora will enjoy visiting the Herbal centre in Grgarske Ravne where they will become familiar with the production, processing and use of medicinal herbs.

 

 

The green and wine-growing Vipava valley stretches out to the East of the town, in the direction towards Ajdovščina. These nice places are the home of great Slovenian wine, also of the unique varieties such as »zelen«, »pinela« and »klarnica«, which are best combined with tasty Vipava dishes.

 

 

KRANJ

 

Kranj is a picturesque town situated on a rocky prominence between two alpine rivers - Sava and Kokra. It is situated on the junction of important routes, leading from Northern Europe to the Adriatic Sea and from Western towards Eastern Europe.

 

The old town centre is rich with cultural-historical sights. Therefore, it has been protected as a cultural monument since 1983. Important Slovenians contributed to the development of Kranj with their lives and achievements, one of them being the greatest Slovenian poet France Prešeren.

 

Today, there are 49 town centres in the municipality stretching all the way from the foothills of Šmarjetna gora and St. Jošt, to the towns of Preddvor in the northeast and Šenčur to the east, and to Trboje Lake in the south. The outskirts of the town boast with a wide range of natural and cultural sights, attractive walking and cycling routes, and rich culinary offer.

Kranj is the fourth biggest city in Slovenia and represents an important economic, cultural and sports centre of Gorenjska. It is a modern town with different faces, where the old is gently intertwined with the new; and where a harmony of images is achieved. Offering a cultural, historical, natural and technical heritage as well as pleasant atmosphere of a small town, Kranj is definitely worth a visit.

 

 

NOVO MESTO

 

Novo mesto, also called the metropolis of Dolenjska, was founded in the year 1365, when the Austrian Archduke Rudolf IV granted city rights to the town at the bend of the Krka River. Officially called Rudolsfwerd, it grew as Novo Mesto and soon became an administration, cultural, religious and business center of Dolenjska. Novo Mesto is situated in the midst of the hilly landscape of Dolenjska, embraced by the Krka River.

Abundance of nature, tradition and culture can be a real experience for every visitor of Novo Mesto. The Krka Valley, located just above Novo mesto, is in the opinion of many the most beautiful river valley in Slovenia with tender banks, picturesque rapids and natural dams which emphasize its nature. Special attractions include numerous mills and castles which, combined with the landscape seem anachronistic in our present day.

 

The old city core of Novo mesto, situated on a promontory in a bend of the Krka River, is enchanting with its aristocratic Glavni trg square with arcades fronting the ground floors of rich townhouses and its characteristic City Hall. The Chapter Church, the Franciscan Church, the Dolenjska Regional Museum, and the Jakčev dom Gallery are also worth visiting, and the view of the remarkable row of Na Bregu houses-the most picturesque part of the city core-reflected in the Krka River below has often been depicted by painters.

 

 

Otočec Castle, a jewel rising from the mists of the Krka River, is the only water castle in Slovenia and far around. Its earliest foundations were built in the Middle Ages, and its present appearance was created during the Renaissance when it became the property of Baron Ivan Lenkovič, the chief commander of the Croatia-Slavonia march. Otočec is the scene of two well-known stories by the Slovene author Ivan Tavčar, "Otok and Struga" and "Janez Sonce."

 

TRBOVLJE

 

Traditionally the area was part of the Lower Styria region. The entire municipality is now included in the Central Sava statistical region. Located in the valley of a minor left bank tributary of the Sava River, the area is known for its rich deposits of coal. Coal mining began in the area in 1804. In 1849 the town was connected Austrian Southern Railway and this allowed for its further development. There are three power plants in the area. The landmark feature of the Trbovlje power plant is the Trbovlje Chimney - reputedly the tallest chimney in Europe (360 m). A major section of the local museum (Slovene: Zasavski Muzej Trbovlje) is dedicated to the history of mining in the area.

 

 

 

 

MURSKA SOBOTA

 

In the plain land of the Slovenian Pannonian world of the grawelly bank of the rivulet Ledava our the most northern town Murska Sobota is situated. At 190 m height above sea level, not far from border with two neighbouring countries Austria and Hungary and at the crossing of highways and regional roads it developed very early into the administrative center of its surrounding and later on also of the whole so-called Pomurje Region. 

 

 

The castle stands on a flat piece of land in the middle of the town, in the axis of an extensive park arranged in landscape style that stretches from the monument of the NOB - National Liberation War (1945, architect Arončik) to the castle itself. It was designed in the shape of a regular Renaissance castle at the end of the 16th century, probably at the location of its predecessor form the 13th century. It was redone before the middle of the 18th century. The ground floor has a four sided gravel inner courtyard and four edge wings of the same height. On the outer corners four towers with a square floor plan stand out, not surpassing the basic height of the building. On the west side a Baroque Chapel has been added on to the fortress. The castle was owned by different feudal lords, among the most famous were the Széchys and Szápárys.

 

 

SOURCE: STO