Ljubljana, Slovenia

Friends! We have gotten really lucky lately having a string of friends visit and once again have a friend with us for all of Slovenia and Croatia. Yeah. We were about to spend a few nights in Bled but stopped at Ljubljana on our way back from the airport.

Ljubljana (Lube-Lee-Anna) is such a beautiful city and has that classic European feel with the Sava River running through it, cafes sprawled all along with a gorgeous mountain backdrop. The Habsburgs held sway over Slovenia, like many places, for around 600 years and why their architecture has such a feel of Vienna.

In addition to the mountain backdrop, a castle perches on one of the hills above still feigning its protective presence. We hiked up to get and were afforded great overviews of the city. There is also dragon bridge, dragons are the symbol of Slovenia, with a total of 20 dragons on this one bridge. Slovenia associates their mythical origin story with the Greek fable of Jason and the Argonauts and his slaying of the dragon of the dragon here.

Slovenia only gained independence in 1991, never before knowing anything but dictatorial regimes, consequently the person they celebrate and immortalize is not some general on a horse but a poet. France Preseren captured Slovenia’s feelings in his poem titled “The Toast” here is one stanza:

God’s blessing on all nations,
Who long and work for that bright day,
When o’er earth’s habitations
No war, no strife shall hold its sway;
Who long to see
That all men free
No more shall foes, but neighbors be.

This is why he has a statue forever commemorating him in the city center and his longings for peace and love. Perhaps a good lesson for the rest of the world to follow in whom we choose to idolize.Read more