Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This 650m-long thoroughfare links Prešernov trg with Trg OF and the train and bus sta-
tions; the southern end boasts a splendid array of fine Secessionist buildings. The cream-
coloured former
People's Loan Bank
(1908) at No 4 is topped with blue tiles and the fig-
ures of two women holding symbols of industry (a beehive) and wealth (a purse). The
Vurnik, and the red, yellow and blue geometric patterns were painted by his wife Helena
dame of Ljubljana hotels built in 1905. About 150m to the north is
Miklošičev Park,
laid
out by Fabiani in 1902. Many of the buildings facing it are art-nouveau masterpieces.
OLD TOWN
Ljubljana's Old Town (Staro Mesto) occupies a narrow swath of land along the right
(eastern) bank of the Ljubljanica River. This is the city's oldest and most important histor-
ical quarter. It's comprised of three contiguous town squares that include Mestni trg
(Town Square), Stari trg (Old Square) and Gornji trg (Upper Square) as you move south
and east. A large portion of the buildings here are baroque, although some houses along
Stari trg and Gornji trg have retained their medieval layout.
MESTNI TRG
The first of the Old Town's three 'squares' (the next two are more like narrow cobbled
streets), Mestni trg is dominated by the town hall. In front of the town hall stands the 1751
ent the three rivers of Carniola - the Sava, Krka and Ljubljanica - but are modern copies.
The originals, worn down by time and eaten away by urban pollution, are now housed in
the National Gallery (
Click here
)
.
TOWN HALL
Town Hall
(Mestna Hiša; 306 30 00; Mestni trg; 7.30am-4pm Mon-Fri)
The seat of the city
government and sometimes referred to as the Magistrat or Rotovž, the town hall was erec-
ted in the late 15th century and rebuilt in 1718. The Gothic courtyard inside, arcaded on
three levels, is where theatrical performances once took place and contains some lovely
graffiti.
If you look above the south portal leading to a second courtyard you'll see a relief map
of Ljubljana as it appeared in the second half of the 17th century.
