| Ljubljana Castle tips and photos posted by real travelers and Ljubljana locals. Castle Hill • 219 Photos • 136 Reviews See all Ljubljana Things To Do |  | Ljubljana Ljubljana Castle Reviews | 1 - 10 of 136 |  |
"If there's a hill, I must climb it" seems to be my travel motto, but wait, what's that I see on the hillside? It's a funicular, not listed on any VT tips, not listed in my Rough Guide but indeed it is working so my feet and calves, tired from crawling around in caves, climbing waterfalls and traipsing around fairytale lakes, get a much needed rest as we plop down our 1.50E for the ride to the top, I figured I could handle the down part under my own power but it's an additional .50E for a round trip. You can also walk up or take the tourist train. There's not really much to tour in terms of the castle itself, I don't believe any of the rooms were even open to the public. The main reason for coming up here is the view of the city from the top of the clock tower which is combined with a 20 minute 3-D movie on the history of the city (admission 3.30E, discount family ticket if you have kids). The staircase going up/down is a dual staircase which is pretty cool as you walk over the top of the people going in the opposite direction. You can also visit the 15th century chapel of St. George. The Castle dates back to the 12th century although most of the current construction is 16th century due to an earthquake in 1511. It's been used as a residence, a military fortress, a jail and a refuge for the poor. Leave a Comment
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 Ljubliana Castle by GillianMcLaughlin Ljubljana Castle comes as a pleasant surprise to travellers who are perhaps a bit Castle-weary during their whistle-stop tour of European capitals. It may shock or surprise the purist, but to my eyes it represents a rare and courageous debate at public level to keep the Castle as a core feature in the everyday life of the citizen, rather than a monument of interest only to tour parties and children on school trips. On approach you see the view shown in the photo: and thus begin to sense the history that lies behind the façade. On entry you cannot fail to recognise that the updating of the castle includes renovations that are on-going to this day. In fact the City of Ljubljana had invested money over some 15 years to ensure that the Castle is used actively by the local community while also being an attraction for visitors interested in history, culture and architecture, both contemporary and historical. The earliest settlements inthis are date from the Bronze and Iron ages. Roman remains have been found, although archeologists have still not traced a continuous line between the Romans and the developers of the Middle Ages. The trail reemerges in the 12th centrury and from that point onwards the history of the castle can be traced through wooden fortress, noble home, military defense and post WWII jail. The recent renovations have developed the castle into a place of worship, ceremony, marriage, festival and craft. I just loved it... and hope to give you a little taste of what made it special for me. Leave a Comment Phone: +386 1 232 99 94Directions: Either walk up the hill or take the little train fromt he town centre. Entrance Free REGULAR TOURS 1st June to 15th September at 10.00 a. m. and 4.00 p. m. from the bridge (at the main entrance to the Castle) Adults 1100 SIT Students 790 SITWebsite: http://www.festival-lj.si/en/ljubljana_castle/ Other Contact: Fax: +386 1 232 99 94
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 Iron mask by GillianMcLaughlin The Castle provides a home for a surprising array of sculpture and art. This piece is near the entrance of the Castle, as you approach the coffee shop. I have searched in vain for information about the sculptor, or why it should find itself here... but to no avail. STOP PRESS. Thanks to the tireless effort of Kristina (Kristab), I have some information now on this installation. The artist is Primoz Pugelj and the name of the exhibition was BOTOXITY There is not so much information about the artist, but what ther is can be found through Google at http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22Primoz+Pugelj%22&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&start=10&sa=N It is a remarkable piece standing over 1 metre in height, made from Iron but with a very delicate feel to it. I really liked it! Leave a Comment
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The first construction of this castle began in the 9th century. Except the Chapel of S. George that was consecrated in 1489, the other buildings were built or rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries. The castle was used as fortress, garrison, prison and apartments block. Nowadays it is a site of exibitions, weddings and various cultural events. Entering the castle area is free of charge. You have to pay a fee to climb the lookout tower and to watch the 3D show that is a good opportunity to know something about the city. From the top of the lookout tower you will enjoy the landscape over Ljubljana and surroundings. Inside the castle there is a cafe, toilets and a souvenir shop. The castle is located on the top of a hill above the old town. We went there by the tourist train from Preseren Square. Opening hours; summer: 9 a.m. 10 p.m. Winter; 10 a.m. 9 p.m. Leave a Comment
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 Ljubljanski grad fortress by polardabar Ljubljana fortress was first built in the 11th century, but it was barely a wooden one back then. The Habsburgs built another one in the 15th century & its most important role the prevention of the Ottoman-Turkish attacks. Ljubljana was called 'White Ljubljana' at that time. During the 17th & the 18th century new buildings were added & the chapel was decorated. At the beginning of the 19th century the castle was used as a prison, which led it to a deteriorating state. But in 1905 the city of Ljubljana bought the premises & decided to restore all of them. You can check out what they did... :) You can climb the tower for a fascinating 360° view & take the virtual tour which explains the history of the city of Ljubljana. I don't think all the data is accurate, but that's a different story which takes place between Slovene & Croats... :) The entrance to the tower + the virtual tour cost 490 SIT for students, ca. 2 EUR that is. The tour is given every 30 minutes, so try to match it so that you visit the tower 1st & take the tour later. :) Leave a Comment Phone: +386 1 241 60 00Directions: Upon a hill above Ljubljana - you really can't not see it! :)Website: www.festival-lj.si
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It is the most obvious thing to do in Ljubljana. There is the castle, perched on top of the hill. So we did the castle thing - and yes the view is great and no, it is not too scarey for people who don't like heights much. We took in the film show - it wasn't expensive - and I must say I liked it very much. It wasn't only about the history of the castle, but you also got a quick overview of Slovenian history. Which I was so so so so ignorant about. How virtuous I felt that after the show I knew a little more than the nothing I knew before. I saw a cute little coloured train taking people up the hill to the castle. That would be fun, I reckon, if you are a kid at heart. Leave a Comment
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 Ljubljanski Grad by maple_air The birth of a medieval castle goes back to the 9th century, though the castle building was only first mentioned in 1144. What remains today dates back mainly to a 16th century rebuilding. For 790 SIT, you can climb up the tower where you can have a 360 degrees- view of Ljubljana. And watch a 20 minute presentation of the 2,000-year history of the city's squares, in the virtual museum. Leave a Comment Phone: +386 1 232 99 94Website: www.festival-lj.si Other Contact: virtualni.muzej@festival-lj.si
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 United we stand! by maple_air We found this while we were exploring the area just outside the castle. It is a monument of the Slovene peasant uprising, by Stojan Batic, 1974 Leave a Comment Directions: As you walk past the structure housing the artesian well in front of the castle, you will find a small path leading to this.
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 Double staircase by GillianMcLaughlin "I would have one long staircase just going up and another even longer coming down" A line from the song "If I were a rich man" from Fiddler on the Roof... a staircase that was so ludicrous in concept that I thought I'd never live to see the day I'd step foot on it. Well I did. You'll need to peer closely at the photo but, if you do, you?ll see a double spiral staircase... one long one just going up and another (possibly) even longer coming down. This unusual stair is a feature of the marriage room which has been installed in the White and Blue Halls in the Castle from the 80s. There is method in the madness though: as one couple arrives full of anticipation about the step they are about to take, they climb one side of the staircase... up and up and round and round they go. At some point they will meet a newly wed couple making their way round and round and down and down the other side. Every home should have one I say! Leave a Comment
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 LjubljanaCastle by xuessium Tower over all and see Ljubljana from atop from the Observation Tower of Ljubljanski Grad (Ljubljana Castle). The castle is also home to the annual "Festival Ljubljana", where visitors and locals alike can enjoy the magical touches of the Arts amidst castle regality. Entry into the castle is free. However, entry into the Virtual Museum and the Observation Tower will incur 1.25 Euros. Guided tours of the castle (5E for adults and 3.30E for kids) take place from 1 Jun-15 Sep at 10am and 4pm whereas from 16 Sep-30 May, they are available only by prior request. The tours begin at the main entrance to the Castle. The Castle is open daily: Winter time (1.10.-30.4.) 10am-9pm, Summer time (1.5.-30.9.) 9am-10pm The Virtual museum and Observation Tower are also open daily; Winter time (1.10.-30.4.) 10am-6pm, Summer time (1.5.-30.9.) 9am-9pm Except for the outer walls of the Chapel of St. George (Kapela sv. Jurija), which was consecrated in 1489, all the other main buildings of the present castle were either built/rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries following the great earthquake of 1511. In 1905 the castle was purchased by the Municipality of Ljubljana in order to be used for cultural purposes, but until 1964 it actually served as a residential building! Thereafter renovations started, which is still ongoing. While I was there, parts of the castle were cordoned off for renovation work, and outside, the workers were hard at work building a funicular linking the castle to the city below. While extremely spacious, and looking meticulously clean (as the castle had been painted white), I just felt it appeared soul-less. Too much modern touch is robbing away its regal splendour. There is even a gallery within the castle selling art pieces. However, if you adore things dragons, you will love this place....afterall, the symbol of Ljubljana is the dragon. Dragon lamps, dragon motiffs engraved on the staircases and a large Ljubljana Municipal Flag flying from the Observation Tower with the city's coat-of-arms. Leave a Comment
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