LJUBLJANA Travel Agent Manual

Top c i ty s ights

Timeless city gems Ljubljana is a picturesque city boasting awealth of attractions. This short guide includes themost important ones – those that you simply cannot afford tomiss. Ljubljana Castle The Ljubljana Castle has been a distinctive symbol of the city for as many as 900 years. At first it was a fort, then the seat of the regional governor, later on a barracks and even a prison, and today it is the main city attraction and a stunning cultural landmark with a rich content. The construction of the present-day castle began in the 12 th century, during the dominion of the Spanheim Carinthian Dukes. In 1335 the castle, which was the centre of the Carniolan province for many years, became the hereditary property of the Hapsburgs. It acquired its present silhouette through several successive reconstructions between the 2 nd half of the 15 th century and the 17 th century. The castle’s Viewing Tower (1848) and ramparts offer the most beautiful views of the city. The castle features the Slovenian History museum exhibition, the Museum of Puppetry and several historically significant premises, including the Chapel of St. George, the Penitentiary, and the Virtual Castle video presentation room. It houses two restaurants (Gostilna na Gradu and Strelec) and serves as a venue for cultural events, family entertainment, dance evenings, and summer open-air cinema screenings known as the Film under the Stars. The castle can be easily accessed by funicular.