Things to see and do Ljubljana

The gallery exhibits works of Slovenian and international contemporary artists. The exhibitions are accompanied by programmes of events designed to increase public interest in contemporary art. It provides a pedagogical and thematic approach to the different orientations of this art, which is sometimes still controversial today. Before leaving, a detour through the garden is necessary with the discovery of the foundations of an antique villa with its mosaics, its heating system and the sewage disposal system still in operation.

Known as a creative urban centre, the Match Gallery - from its English translation - offers an innovative vision of art. The exhibitions of resolutely contemporary works are well worth a visit. Here, the speciality is rather ultra-contemporary arts such as audiovisual or performance. Her installation on the Place de la Révolution Française is a curious coincidence that she retranscribes through a culturally and politically committed program. The temporary exhibitions follow one another and change almost every month.

The original building was constructed between 1890 and 1892 to designs by Czech architects Jan Vladimír Hráský and Anton Hruby, in a neo-Renaissance style, while its striking facade was the work of sculptor Alojzij Gangl. Germans and Slovenes shared the building from 1892 to 1918. It was only after the Germans left in 1919 that Slovenian dancers, actors and musicians were able to perform there exclusively. The perfect opportunity to admire the building from the inside is to book ballet tickets online.

The slogan of this gallery which means "art by the kilo" and its logo representing a fish swimming in a frame refer to the overall concept of the project and to the space itself (under the magnificent arcade next to the old fish market). The principle of this gallery is indeed to put forward not the name or the reputation of the artists, but rather "the weight" of their works in terms of artistic power. Each month a selection of works by young artists, mostly Slovenian, presents new names and new approaches.

The aim of this guided tour is not to console possible nostalgic people about the Yugoslav socialist regime but rather to give the participants relevant keys of understanding about the Slovenian specificity, the role of architecture in the communist ideology. A tour around the emblematic places of this very special period, enhanced with concrete examples through the narration of stories of daily life and the presentation of allegorical objects.

This gigantic cemetery is established in the district of Bezigrad. Some 150,000 people have been buried here since its inauguration in 1906. In addition to these impressive figures, the cemetery is visited for its fourteen chapels dedicated to the patron saints and its monumental colonnaded entrance designed by Jože Plečnik. He is buried here, as are several other local personalities such as Ivan Cankar and Oton Župančič. The Ravnikar ossuary is also imposing and is home to more than 5,000 victims of the Great War.

Valentin Vodnik turns his back on the flavors of this world in the square where the market stalls of fruit and vegetables stand. The statue erected by Alojz Gangl faced the high school, a former Franciscan monastery demolished after an earthquake. To the east of the square, at no. 10, the former hotel has seen some of the world's finest pass through its doors. Don Carlos, pretender to the Spanish throne, was born here in 1848. Serbian Prince Miloš Obrenovič and Field Marshal Radetzky also stayed here.

But where to photograph the famous emblem of Ljubljana, represented on all the souvenirs that are sold there? Direction Zmajski most, the Dragon Bridge, which was one of the first on the continent to be built in reinforced concrete. The dragons were created by Jurij Zaninovič, a student of the Viennese architect Otto Wagner (1841-1918), Plečnik's master. The symbolism of the dragon gradually changed from a monster to a protector of the city, embodying power, courage and wisdom, it also appears on the city's coat of arms.

The central stone bridge of the Triple Bridge dates back to 1842, when it replaced the old medieval wooden bridge that was destined to be demolished due to increased traffic. Between 1929 and 1931, the well-known Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik drew up plans for two adjacent pedestrian bridges, which gave the city of Ljubljana a Venetian character and a unique architectural feature. This is a must-see photo point.

All around Prešeren Square merge past and genius. Baroque, Art Nouveau and Secessionist, Plečnik's spirit above the waters of the Ljubljanica River dot this architectural chessboard. Maks Fabiani designed Prešeren Square, as evidenced by the two beautiful early 20th century buildings, Ura and Centromerkur. The soul of the city permeates the space with all its magic. The castle is just a glance away. Today, the square is a meeting place for young people and a must for many onlookers.

Prešeren Monument. The Slovenian poet France Prešeren (1800-1849), a national hero, was immortalized by Ivan Zajec. Scandal at the inauguration of the former Mary's Square in 1905, the naked muse made some intellectuals and clergymen turn their heads. Criticism was rife..

The magnificent Ura building (or Hauptmann house), west of the square, survived the earthquake of 1895 and was significantly redesigned by the architect Ciril Metod Koch, who together with Maks Fabiani introduced the Vienna Secession to Slovenia.

Built between 1646 and 1660, the church of the Annunciation, formerly Augustinian, belongs to the Franciscans. The high altar is by Francesco Robba. The monastery, which occupies the west wing, has a library containing 55,000 books, including a number of incunabula.

To the right of the church, Miklošičeva Cesta leads to the bus and train stations. It runs parallel to Slovenska Cesta, the city's main thoroughfare, formerly Titova Cesta.

The Centromerkur building (now Galerija Emporium), to the right of the church, was the city's first department store (1903). The Roman god of commerce Mercury, dominating the store, coexists with the romantic poet. Inside, two remarkable Art Nouveau staircases, a beautiful expression of this artistic movement which drew its inspiration from plant forms, are to be discovered.

At no. 5 of the square stands the neo-Renaissance palace of the Central Pharmacy, or Mayer palace (Mayerjeva palača).

At No. 6 Wolfova Ulica, a street west of the square, the silhouette of Julija Primic emerges from a false window frame. Prešeren's great love lived in this house and their eyes now meet for eternity.

Bordering the south side of the square, the Triple Bridge (Tromostovje), the work of the unmistakable Jože Plečnik, provides access to the old town.