Green Oases in the Middle of Ljubljana

Ljubljana is not only one of the most charming cities, but also one of the greenest. In the city centre itself one can find several green zones with parks and lawns offering an escape into nature only a stone`s throw from the city crowds.

Tivoli Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the capital. Its surface of 5 square kilometres (2 square miles) makes it Ljubljana`s largest park comprising a pond, several statues, fountains and walking paths. It was designed in 1813 by the French engineer Jean Blanchard. Only a hundred years later the renowned Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik partly redesigned the park by creating the Jakopič Promenade. Today, the Promenade connecting the Tivoli Castle housing the International Centre of Graphic Arts with an underpass below the railway line has become a well-known outdoor venue for exhibitions of large-format photographs by internationally renowned photographers. The Tivoli Park is accessible by bike and suitable both for relaxing and lying in the grass, and for sports and recreation.

Zvezda Park is located in the heart of the city, next to the Congress Square. It has the Slovenska Road on its left side, and is surrounded by important buildings such as Kazina, the Slovenian Philharmonic, the Ursuline church and monastery, the Jože Plečnik High School, and the Provincial Mansion – the main building of the University of Ljubljana. In the Zvezda Park there is a replica of the Roman statue called "Emonec", excavated in 1836 when digging the foundations for the Kazina building. The statue was originally part of a tombstone. There is also a monument to women protesting against how Italians treated prisoners during World War II, a work of art by the Slovenian sculptor Božo Pengov, and a picturesque music pavilion. On the north side of the park, there is an anchor monument, which was placed on this spot thanks to Captain Branko Velkaverh in 1954 to commemorate the return of the Littoral to the homeland. Almost every day there is an event or a concert taking place in the park, which makes it a lively and pleasant gathering place.

Established in 1810, the Botanic Gardens is Slovenia`s oldest cultural, scientific and educational institution operating uninterrupted since its foundation. In the gardens there are many endemic and other plant species that are extinct elsewhere. Although it was originally founded to present Slovenian flora, it has evolved into a park where you can also take a walk or make a short escape from the city centre. As the Gardens are located outside the immediate city centre, visiting them is a great opportunity to see the Trnovo and Prule districts, which extend along the Ljubljanica River.

On your way to the Botanical Gardens, you can take a rest on the "Špica embankment". This part of the river bank has been turned into a park, offering a wonderful place for relaxation. Easily accessible by bike, it is a perfect place to come and sit by the Ljubljanica River. Špica is also the place where the river splits into two: one part flowing towards Vrhnika and the other towards the Fužine District and the floodgate by Jože Plečnik, an important architectural site. Next to the Špica there is a water canal built by the Slovenian hydrotechnician Gabriel Gruber in order to prevent the Ljubljanica from flooding.

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