About six million travelers visit this former Yugoslav republic every year, while its neighbor Italy receives almost 10 times as many. But incredibly beautiful Slovenia boasts the Adriatic coastline, the majestic Alps, and a rich history, which has absorbed the influence of different cultures. We tell you everything important and useful about this hospitable country.
Geographical location and climate
This small European country (total area 20,273 km²) in the northwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula is situated on the spurs of the Eastern Alps. Its neighbors are Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Austria. The country has access to the Adriatic Sea. The total length of the coastline is 47 kilometers.
Despite its small size, this corner of Europe can surprise with its climatic diversity. On the Adriatic coast, the climate is Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters. At the same time, the central and northern parts of the country are in a temperate continental zone: summers are warm and winters are relatively cold, although snowfall is infrequent (except in the harsh mountainous areas).
Currency and language
Since 2007, the euro has been the means of payment in the territory of the Republic of Slovenia.
The official language is Slovene. It belongs to the southern Slavic languages, so we understand many words intuitively. And if something is unclear, you can find staff with a good command of English in almost every restaurant and hotel.
When to go
Traveling in Slovenia is pleasant all year round, but the most comfortable months are April and May, when everything is in bloom. And also October, when it’s +15°C outside and nature plays all shades of purple and gold.
History
In the Bronze and Iron Ages, the territory of modern Slovenia was inhabited by Celts and Illyrians, who, according to the ancient Greeks, were active in trade and metal mining. In the 1st century BC the country became a part of the Roman Empire, thanks to which the first cities appeared here (among them Emona – today’s Ljubljana). In the 6th century, after the fall of Western Rome, this corner of Europe was occupied by Slavic tribes, who formed the independent principality of Karantania within 100 years.
During the Middle Ages, the country was under the rule of various states, and in the 16th century, reformist ideas penetrated the country. They influenced the growth of national consciousness: it was during this period that the first Bible was printed in Slovenian. But Protestantism in Slovenia was completely suppressed by the policy of the Habsburgs, who were staunch adherents of Catholicism.
Representatives of this royal dynasty ruled the country until 1918. In that year Slovenia became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which in 1929 received a new name – the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
In 1946 Slovenia became one of the six republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and in 1991 it declared its independence. In 2004, the country joined the European Union, and in 2007 – the Schengen zone.
What to see
You can go to the capital – ancient, friendly and quite relaxed. Or to the Adriatic coast – Piran, alluring with its terracotta roofs and azure sea.
Ljubljana
Although small, but cozy and hospitable capital of Slovenia is located on the banks of the river Ljubljanica. Ljubljana can boast of its historical center not only because there are many architectural monuments of different eras. The whole thing is that the central part of the city is a huge pedestrian zone, created for leisurely walks with pauses in cafes and restaurants (they are here on every corner). Here are just some of the iconic places in Slovenia’s capital:
- Ljubljana Castle is a medieval castle perched on a hilltop, one of the symbols of the city. The castle was supposedly built in the 11th century, but its current appearance is the result of 600 years of restoration work. One of the most interesting objects of the architectural ensemble is the Chapel of St. George dating back to 1489. In the 13th century, original frescoes depicting the coats of arms of the governors of Slovenia’s provinces appeared on its vault and walls
- Zmajski Bridge is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture decorated with sculptures of four dragons. According to legend, for many years the locals lived in eternal fear because of the fire-breathing monster that dwelt here. But one day the brave Jason, the leader of the Argonauts, destroyed the monster
- The Fountain of the Three Rivers is a monument of Baroque architecture designed by the Venetian Francesco Robba. It is decorated with allegorical statues symbolizing the three rivers: Ljubljanica, Sava and Krka
- Nebotičnik is an elegant historical skyscraper, the creation of local architect Vladimir Šubić. This 13-storey building, erected in the early 1930s, was once considered the tallest residential building in Europe. It is hard to ignore the interesting architectural features of Nebotičnik: it combines elements of neoclassicism and art deco
Maribor
The country’s second largest city is located at the foot of the Pohorje mountain, just 20 kilometers from the Austrian border. Travelers come here for the atmosphere of old Europe, thermal complexes and cozy cafes and restaurants. Let us tell you about some of Maribor’s highlights.
- The Church of St. Mary, Mother of Mercy is a grandiose Franciscan church of the early twentieth century in the Neo-Romanesque style. The interior of the church is also impressive, with Art Nouveau stained glass windows and an altar decorated with figures of saints
- Stara Trta is a 400-year-old grapevine, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest in Europe. It spreads across the entire facade of the historic building, which today houses an exhibition dedicated to it
- The Plague Pillar is a monument whose name speaks for itself. Installed in the second half of the 17th century, it is dedicated to those who died during the plague epidemic. In its center is a column topped with a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary. The column is surrounded by sculptures of the patron saints of Maribor
Triglav
Covering a large part of the Julian Alps, this national park is the only one in the country. It was founded in 1961, and reached its current impressive parameters (almost 84 thousand hectares) in the early 1980s. The whole point is that by that time, after the reorganization, the protected area was expanded dozens of times.
Every year thousands of travelers from all over Europe come here for the numerous natural beauties – mountain peaks, lakes, waterfalls, gorges. Several tourist routes have been developed for guests, including the 270-kilometer long and consisting of 16 sections “Julian’s Trail”. Let us tell you about the main natural monuments of Slovenia’s only national park.
Lake Bled, one of the most picturesque lakes in Europe, is a famous sports location: it hosts major international rowing competitions. In the middle of the lake is the miniature island of Bled, the only one in Slovenia. In the center of this piece of land, in turn, rises the Church of the Assumption of Mary, built in the XV century. If you rent a boat, you can not only wander around the island, but also look into the ancient church and admire the Gothic frescoes.
Mount Triglav is the highest peak in Slovenia (2864 meters) and the main symbol of the country: it is depicted on the flag and on the coat of arms. It is not so difficult to climb it, but good physical fitness is still required.
Tolminskoe Gorge is a kilometer-long canyon and the lowest point of the park (the height above sea level is 180 meters). According to legend, the great Dante once walked here in the early XIV century. He even looked into one of the caves: he described his impressions of this dungeon in The Divine Comedy.
Piran
An endlessly photogenic town on the shores of the Adriatic Sea – with cobbled medieval streets and numerous monuments of Italian architecture. The fact that Piran was part of the Republic of Venice for over 500 years has had an impact on its appearance. Here are just some of the places worth seeing.
St. George’s Cathedral is a 17th century building, combining elements of Baroque and Renaissance architecture. The temple is adorned with a majestic bell tower designed by architect Giacomo di Nodari, inspired by the bell tower of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. Once inside, look out for the 300-year-old organ, the work of Franciscan monk Petar Nakic.
The Sergej Mašera Maritime Museum is one of the most famous in Slovenia and tells the story of the role of the sea in the lives of its inhabitants. The museum is housed in a former 19th-century palace, and its exhibits include ancient ship models created by Jesuit priest Gabriel Gruber, a collection of paintings by marine artists, uniforms and logbooks of the Austro-Hungarian Navy.
Monument to Giuseppe Tartini, an outstanding Italian violinist and composer of the 18th century, born in Piran. This monument is located in the main town square named after the musician.
How to get around the country
The most convenient way to travel around Slovenia is by train. Railroads cover almost all regions of this small country, and the travel time from Ljubljana to any distant point will take no more than three hours. In addition, almost every city in the country can be easily reached from the capital by intercity bus.
Buses are the main mode of public transportation in Slovenia. To pay for travel in the capital, you will need an Urbana contactless electronic card, which you can buy at newsstands. You can refill it using Urbanomat machines – in the center of Ljubljana you will find them on every corner. The same card can be used to pay for the cable car connecting the historic Krekova Square with the castle.
Ljubljana, as well as other cities in Slovenia, is also convenient to travel by bicycle. However, you will need a foreign bank card to rent one.
Cabs in Slovenia are considerably cheaper than in neighboring Austria or Italy. Among local online taxi services, Taxi Metro and Laguna Taxi are worth considering.
What to try in Slovenia
The national cuisine is an interesting combination of culinary traditions of the South Slavs, Italians and Austrians. It is tasty and varied: both vegetarians and meat-eaters will appreciate local specialties.
If you find yourself in the country in spring, you should start getting acquainted with Slovenian cuisine with dandelion salad (regratova solata) – made of young leaves, potatoes, garlic with a dressing of apple cider vinegar and pumpkin oil.
For the first course, you can order jota, a thick bean soup with sauerkraut, potatoes and smoked meat. Or no less rich kisla juha (kisla juha) – pork broth with vegetables, flour, apple cider vinegar and topped with sour cream. And vegetarians should pay attention to gobova juha, a traditional cream soup made of porcini mushrooms, which in some places is served in “bread pots”.
You should also try čevapčičiči – grilled small sausages of minced beef, popular in all the countries of the former Yugoslavia. They are usually accompanied by potatoes and ajvar, a vegetable caviar made of bell peppers, eggplants, onions and spices.
Vegetarians may be interested in čompe an skuto – jacket potatoes cut into slices and covered with a thick layer of cottage cheese.
The most popular national dessert is gibanica (gibanica), a multi-layered cake. The filling contains apples, nuts, cottage cheese and raisins. It is especially delicious in the cold season, with a cup of hot tea or even with a glass of mineral water without gas.
What to bring from Slovenia
An original Slovenian souvenir could be a bottle of local pumpkin seed oil – dark, tasty and healthy. Today the country ranks second in the world in its production. It is said that centuries ago for a mug of this product was given not a small gold ring. Even today pumpkin oil cannot be called cheap, because it takes at least 40 pumpkins to produce just one liter. It is better to buy it in Slovenia at farmers’ markets, but if you don’t have time to look for them, you can go to ordinary supermarkets – Mercator or Spar.
Another tasty gift from this country is a jar of honey, which is very much loved here. The average Slovenian eats 1.3 kilograms of honey per year. At farmers’ markets and in stores, you can find chestnut honey, linden honey, highland honey, forest honey – whatever your taste.
Among the products of Slovenian craftsmen you should pay attention to airy shawls and tablecloths – creations of lace makers from Idrija, where, by the way, the lace festival, famous throughout Europe, is held every year. And also the original products of glassblowers from the town of Rogaška Slatina: the production of crystal here began in the XVII century.
Conclusion
Slovenia is a country of fabulous natural beauty, cultural heritage and hospitable people who know how to live in the present. You can explore it on your own, but it’s more interesting with local guides, whose fascinating tours can be found both on the website and on the app Tripster.
