Ljubljana Castle

High atop a hill overlooking the city center, there are claims of evidence of a castle from prehistoric Illyrian and Celtic times. It is the city's main tourist attraction and holds various cultural events. Surrounded by forests, the castle has a beautiful view of the city. The castle's history is somewhat clouded. A fortress was built in the 13th century and gothic Chapel of St. George was added in the 14th century. The chapel was renovated in the baroque style two hundred years later, although its tower was recently renovated in the Gothic style. A number of changes and expansions from the 17th century have left it without any style dominating. The castle has served as a garrison and a prison, and even as a residential building throughout much of the 20th century. In 2000 its management was transferred to a festival company which arranges cultural events and conferences, etc. There is a museum giving its history.

Triple Bridge

Designed in part by Art Nouveau architect Plečnik, this bridge crosses the Ljubljanica River, which separates the castle hill from the city center. The central stone section was built in 1842, replacing a wooden bridge. Plečnik added the two side sections for pedestrians between 1929 and 1932, making alterations in the older section to form a harmonious single triple bridge.

Dragon Bridge

Originally called the Jubilee Bridge, this outstanding work was designed by Professor Josef Melan, a pioneer in the use of reinforced concrete. It was renamed following the addition of four dragons at its corners. The dragon is one of the city's symbols.

Cobblers' Bridge

Originally the butchers' market, the stench caused the emperor to move them to another location, to be replaced by the sweet-smelling leather workers. The bridge was rebuilt in 1931 by Josip Plečnik.

Robba Fountain of the Three Carniolan Rivers

Designed by sculptor Francesco Robba in 1751, it is based on similar fountains in Rome. One story says that it was to be built in Carrara marble, but a ship carrying the marble sank, leaving only enough to sculpt the figures.

City Hall

Originally constructed in 1484, City Hall was enlarged in the dominant baroque style in 1718. An earthquake in 1511 had leveled many buildings in the vicinity of Town Square, which was rebuilt in the Renaissance and Baroque styles. City Hall's interior court is still in the Gothic style, although Robba's touch is evident in the arcade.

St. Nicholas Cathedral

Originally a Romanesque structure, it was renovated in gothic style after a fire in 1361. One hundred years later it was enlarged as Ljubljana became a diocese. It was damaged again by fire, this time by the Turks, shortly afterwards and was demolished in 1701. The present baroque building was built between 1701 and 1706, with alterations being made since then. Robba is responsible for the altar angels on the left side of the nave. The seminar library displays a superb rococo style ceiling.

The Franciscan Monastery and the Church of the Annunciation

Standing out on Prešernov Square, opposite the Triple Bridge, this pink baroque church was completed in 1660. Its façade was completed in 1700 and renovated twice since. It features the largest Madonna in the city.

Slovenian Parliament

Built in the Communist 1950s as the People's Assembly, this building is decorated with sculpted working men above the entrance. Plečnik had recommended an Acropolis type edifice on the castle hill, but the idea was rejected as decadent. The Parliament building was designed by Vinko Glanz. His use of several varieties of stone on the front façade belies Plečnik's influence.

National and University Library

Designed in the Art Nouveau style by Plečnik to replace a palace destroyed by an earthquake in 1895, the library's exterior uses an uncommon combination of bricks and stone blocks. It mixes smooth and rough, small and large, light and dark. The staircase masterfully combines details from bronze, wood and dark-colored marble. The door handles adorned with the head of Pegasus are a fine example of the Art Nouveau style.

National Museum, National Gallery, Museum of Modern Art

These three museums are built in a section designed in the Imperialist style, popular at the turn of the 19-20th century. Similar to Zagreb, the neighborhood has spacious gardens and massive buildings.

The National Museum, completed in 1885, includes prehistoric, ethnographic, and natural history collections. The collection's main attraction is a Celtic container with a remarkable relief (500-600 BC).

The National Gallery, designed by a Czech architect, is reminiscent of Prague's National Theater. It displays Slovene paintings from the 17-19th centuries and copies of frescoes from the middle ages.

The Museum of Modern Art, which holds a biennale in graphic arts every two years, also focuses on Slovenian art. It was closed for renovation in March 2007.

Ursuline Church of the Holy Trinity

An unusual specimen of Slovene baroque, the façade's heavy columns and pediment give this church a purely local character. The interior is Italian, with an altar of African marble by Robba, who was born in nearby Venice.

Skyscraper

Homesick for familiar architectural sights? Ljubljana features a skyscraper (Nebotičnik), built in 1933, when similar buildings were shooting up all over the modern world. It was the highest building in the Balkans at the time (Yugoslavia was a Balkan nation) and the ninth tallest in Europe. Designed by Vladimir Šubic, who was familiar with Louis Sullivan of the Chicago School, many called it a slap in Ljubljana's baroque face. Over time, residents became accustomed to the 70-plus meter tower, although plans for an additional, higher residential tower were shelved.