Old Town, Ljubljana

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Strolling around in the Old Town you'll come to Ribji Trg, the Fish Square. Passing the square eastwards you've got the oldest still remaining house in Ljubljana at number 2 on your left hand. It was built in 1528.
Nowadays there is a restaurant in the house.

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Inspired in Bernini's four rivers fountain in Piazza Navona, Rome, Francesco Robba designed in 1745/51 the "Three rivers fountain", representing the rivers Ljubljanica, Sava, and Krka. In 2006 the original was moveed to the National Gallery, and a copy was placed in Town square, close to City Hall.

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The centre of medieval Ljubljana was destroyed in the 1511 earthquake and rebuilt in Baroque style.
Mestni trg (City square) is the main point, with the Robba fountain and the City Hall, surrounded by some well preserved medieval buildings with shops, cafes and restaurants.

Ljubljana's Old Town mainly consists of three squares: Mestni trg, Stari trg and Gornji trg. The Town Hall is located on teh square Mestni trg.

It was built in 1584, but rebuilt in 1718. Most houses in the Old Town are from the Baroque era. The pedestrianised square Stari trg is packed with small cafes and restaurants, which invite for a break and some people watching.

Directions:
The squares and streets of the old town are situated at the foot of the castle hill.

The most must see places are located here at the old city center. Besides that it is the best place to go out in the evenings or just do some people watching. If you are there in summer monts you can enjoy the numerous cultural events as the old town is the place where traditional summer festival is held.
(The festival lasts from end of June till end of August. Most of the events are free of charge.)

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Stari Trg (old square) is Ljubljana's oldest medieval square, actually more of a street than a square. On the section of Stari Trg between the Cobbler's Bridge and Levistikov Square are some interesting buildings if you like architecture, there are also some cafes and places to ice cream, one place had some rather interesting ice cream concoctions that were delivered in bowls that looks like boats.

At 11a Stari Trg is the Schweiger House, look for the relief of the man with his finger raised to his lips, Schweiger means "silent one".

At the end of Stari Trg is Levistikov Square, considered to be the center of the old town. You'll find a replica of the Hercules fountain here, the original is located inside the Town Hall.

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I always have a thing for markets. Markets = Food. Ummm.....

The Market is sandwiched between the Triple & Dragon bridges, running along Adamic-Lundrovo Nabrezje, right by the river. And here, surprise, surprise, you'll get to see another of Plecnik's creation - the Market Colonnade, an elongated gently curving white-coloured pavilion harbouring a lovely collection of eateries at road level and a fish market below.

Adjacent to the Colonnade, 2 squares, Pogarcarjev Trg & Vodnikov Trg jointly provide the location for a most wonderful and colourful stroll through the daily chapters of Ljubljana life. Meander among the stalls selling crispy vegetables and buxomy fruits. Sniff the fragrance allure of the air as you near stalls selling jubilant flowers and sultry mushrooms. Partake a glance at mischievous boxes of berries, all blushing with joy and if you are really naughty, crush some local herbs in your hands and realise the scent of living.

Obscuring the sun from Pogarcarjev Trg, the baroque St.Nicholas Cathedral (Daily, 6am-12nn & 3-6pm) dominates you into nothingness. Completed in 1706, I never got to see the interior as busloads of tourists kept mysteriously appearing every time to clutter the entry way whenever I tried to enter. When the last bus deposited an army of overly-excited Japanese "obasans", I decided destiny spoke and bade a hasty retreat. I must state though, even the exterior of the Cathedral was impressive. The delicately carved relief on the bronze doors was simply stunning!

Turn behind into narrow Levstikov Street & I found myself mesmerised by the simple charm of a simple city: A cobblerstone street of shops, cafes and restaurants, almost like a street out of a Charles Dickens novel, albeit in a much more modern setting. Here lies the Old Town of Ljubljana. My young chap was telling me things though I must confess I wasn't totally concentrating. We were walking by lovely sights: Mestni Trg, the Town Hall and eventually reaching Cobblers Bridge.

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Gornji trg (Upper Square) extended all the way to the town gate in the vicinity of the present castle hill tunnel, from where the road continued towards the Dolenjska region. Along this road lie a few examples of the medieval houses that once lined its entire length. The houses have narrow side passages with doors where rubbish was once deposited so that it could be washed down into the river.

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Stari trg or Old Square isn't actually a square but a narrow street lined with shops and small restaurants and winds itself down from near Cobbler Bridge to the Hercules Fountain in Levstikov trg. Several nice buildings line the street such as Schweiger House with its large Atlas supporting the upper balcony. If you walk down from the castle, take the southern route down the steps on Reber Ulica which will lead you straight onto Stari trg.

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In the centre of Levstikov trg, which lies just south of Stari trg, is the Hercules Fountain. The actual statue you see today is a copy of the original 17th century statue which know resides in the Town Hall.