Prešeren Square

Prešeren Square is compact – roughly 50 m across – but every surrounding facade is worth attention. The dominant feature is the 17th-century Franciscan Church of the Annunciation with its distinctive pink facade, pilasters, and onion-shaped spires. To its left stands Urbanc House (1903), one of Ljubljana's finest Art Nouveau examples: the city's first department store with an elegant facade and wrought-iron details. To the right is Hauptmann House (1873, rebuilt in 1904 in Secessionist style). The paving consists of grey granite blocks with radiating white Macedonian Sivec marble lines, designed by architect Edvard Ravnikar (1987–1988).

The bronze Prešeren Monument occupies the southeastern corner: the poet with head bowed, above him a bare-breasted muse holding a laurel branch. Sculptor Ivan Zajec; pedestal by architect Max Fabiani. Across the square, on a building facade on Wolfova Street, a small statue of Julija Primic – the poet's unrequited love – gazes back at him. At the upper edge of the square sits a 2.2 × 2.2 m bronze scale model of central Ljubljana.

The square serves as Ljubljana's main event venue: Christmas market in December, Carnival in February, summer concerts. On regular days, street musicians perform and cafés with terraces line the Ljubljanica riverbank. In summer, a misting system provides cooling – complete with a playful 'Always Raining' sign.

Prešeren Monument – 1905 bronze sculpture by Ivan Zajec on a Max Fabiani pedestal, declared a national cultural monument in 1991

Architectural ensemble – buildings from the 17th–20th centuries: Baroque Franciscan Church, Secessionist Hauptmann House, Art Nouveau Urbanc House

Paving design – granite blocks with Sivec marble rays by Edvard Ravnikar (1987–1988), renovated in 2007

Triple Bridge – unique three-lane bridge across the Ljubljanica connecting the square to the Old Town

Julija Primic statue – small figure on a building facade opposite the monument, toward which the poet's gaze is directed

The square formed at a crossroads in front of the medieval city gates. Until the 19th century, it was known as St. Mary's Square after the Franciscan Church. After the city walls were demolished in the mid-19th century, the space expanded and became a proper square. The 1895 Ljubljana earthquake destroyed part of the surrounding buildings – architect Max Fabiani designed a new ensemble in Secessionist and Art Nouveau styles to replace the medieval houses. The Prešeren Monument was ceremonially unveiled in 1905.

In 1987–1988, architect Edvard Ravnikar proposed the circular layout with granite paving and marble rays, replacing the former funnel-shaped configuration. In 2007, the square was fully closed to motor traffic and its surface was renovated. In June 1991, alongside Slovenia's declaration of independence, the square and monument were designated a cultural monument of national significance. Since 2008, a model of the square has been displayed at Mini-Europe in Brussels.

From central Ljubljana (on foot):

– From the railway station – 10–15 minutes via Miklošičeva Street

– From the bus station – 10–12 minutes

– From Ljubljana Castle – 10 minutes through the Old Town

By public transport:

– LPP buses: nearest stops Krekov trg and Zmajski most (lines 2, 13, 20), then 3–5 minutes on foot

– Free Kavalir electric shuttle – runs through the pedestrian zone, stops on request

– Bus ticket – €1.30 with Urbana card

From Ljubljana Airport (LJU, 27 km / 17 mi):

– GoOpti/shuttle bus – €5–10 ($5–11), 30–45 minutes

– Taxi – €30–40 ($33–44)

– Car rental

Season: Open year-round. Best time: May–September (warm weather, street musicians, events). December brings the Christmas market with festive lights and a tree.

Time of day: Morning (before 10:00 AM) – fewest tourists, best for photos. Evening – building illumination, atmospheric riverbank cafés.

Duration: 15–20 minutes for the square itself. 1–1.5 hours with a stroll across the Triple Bridge, along the riverbank, and surrounding streets.

Avoid: July–August, 11:00 AM–4:00 PM – peak tourist group hours. In rain the square is less impressive, though galleries and cafés provide shelter.