21 June 2019, Friday
We also passed the Ljubljana University before cutting across Congress Square. This cultured central square has played host to some momentous occasions in Slovenian history. Independence from Austria-Hungary was announced here in 1918, while Josip Broz Tito addressed the crowds from the balcony of the university building in 1945. Later, the first free protest took place here in 1988, in a movement that would end with Slovene independence in 1991. Finally in 1999 Bill Clinton read the first line of the Slovenian National Anthem to a crowd on this square.
From here we could see the Ljubljana Castle on the hill in the distance. Then we passed the Ursuline Church of the Holy Trinity or also known as the Nun Church, which was built between 1718 and 1726 in the Baroque style, as well as the Slovenian School Museum before reaching Republic Square.
Republic Square is a Communist-era plaza. The Monument to Revolution from 1975 (what looked to me like people marching in protest - quite nice), the Slovenian Parliament and the monolithic TR3 and Ljubljanska Banak office buildings give the square an almost oppressive feel. Slovenian Independence was declared on this square in 1991. There was a protest of some sort going on there at the time we passed, against carbon dioxide emissions.
Then we saw the Slovenia National Museum, Parliament, Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Ministry of Finance and the National Gallery - the original Francesco Robba’s Fountain of Three Carniolan Rivers is housed here. The one near the Town Hall is merely a replica.
Next, to the Franciscan Church. This is located in Prešeren Square, which takes its name from the 19th-century poet France Prešeren whose work “Zdravljica”, “A Toast”, became Slovenia’s national anthem. The Church was unfortunately under renovation so we could only see it at a distance, but it stands out with its pastel red facade (apparently this colour holds meaning for the Franciscan Order) in an early Baroque style from the middle of the 17th century.
Finally to the Roman city wall in what was once the ancient city of Emona. Unfortunately this section was also closed (under restoration or something) so we could only see it from a distance. It is part of the city walls of the ancient city which originally had 4 gates into the city.
Then we were done and walked back to the hostel. Near the bus station is a statue of a man on a horse - Rudolf Maister (1874-1934), a General in Pesnik. On the way I bought some souvenirs, and since Slovenia is famous for dragons, I kept seeing dragon soft toys everywhere. I couldn’t resist. The girl in me had to get a dragon soft toy, and the shop where I was only had it in pink. So I bought myself a pink dragon which I named Ljuby. Don’t judge.
Our room is a mixed dorm with 4 bunk beds. My friend had a lot of complaints about this hostel. Whereas for me, I think you get what you pay for so if you want something better then be prepared to pay for it which my friend is not. So then there shouldn’t be any complaints. Actually I don’t mind listening to complaints but it’s the holier than thou attitude which gets to me every time - when I say something, I am always complaining, when she says something it’s ok 🙄. People should always look in the mirror first before criticising others.
Anyway after a short rest I went to a sort of garden patio downstairs and had a beer by myself, and got to chatting with the host and his friend. It was quite fun to talk to people other than my friend for a change, it happens more often when I travel alone because when you travel with someone people tend not to talk to you or talk to you less. According to the host, ‘ljub’ means ‘love’ and ‘ljana’ means ‘city’ in Slovene; so Ljubljana literally means “the city of love”. I’m not sure how far this is true. But if it’s true, then Ljuby the Pink Dragon’s name in English is love! ❤️
The host wanted to take me drinking somewhere and I was tempted but my sense of responsibility won this internal battle and I politely declined and went to bed instead.
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