Triple Bridge

The Triple Bridge resembles an opening fan: two side pedestrian bridges angle outward from the central bridge, funnelling foot traffic from Prešeren Square toward the medieval streets across the river. The central bridge is a stone arch, roughly 7 m wide. The side bridges are narrower at about 5 m each, built from Glinica limestone and concrete. All three feature massive stone balustrades (642 balusters in total) and decorative lamp posts on pillars – a hallmark of Plečnik's style.

From each side bridge, stone staircases descend to terraces at the water's edge – a detail inspired by Venetian bridges. Plečnik deliberately sought to give Ljubljana a Mediterranean character. The terraces are planted with poplar trees and serve as café seating in warmer months. The bridges offer views of the Ljubljanica River, the willow-lined embankments, and Ljubljana Castle on its hilltop.

On the right bank, at the bridgehead, a small flower shop is part of Plečnik's market colonnade. On the left bank stands Prešeren Square with the pink Franciscan Church and a bronze statue of poet France Prešeren. In the evening, the bridges are illuminated, and on weekends, street musicians perform here.

Age – a wooden bridge at this site is documented from 1280; the stone central bridge dates to 1842; Plečnik's side bridges were completed in 1932

UNESCO – inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2021 as part of Jože Plečnik's legacy in Ljubljana

Construction – 642 stone balusters, decorative lamp posts, Venetian-style staircases leading to riverside terraces

Architect – Jože Plečnik (1872–1957), Slovenia's most influential 20th-century architect, who envisioned Ljubljana as a 'new Athens'

Pedestrian zone – since 2007, all three bridges are car-free, open only to pedestrians

The first bridge on this site – a wooden structure – is documented from 1280. Known as the Old Bridge (Stari most), it was the sole river crossing in the medieval city centre. The bridge served trade routes connecting northwestern Europe with the Balkans via Ljubljana. In 1842, the wooden bridge was replaced by a stone arch bridge designed by Italian architect Giovanni Picco. It survived the devastating 1895 earthquake and by the early 20th century had become a bottleneck for the city's growing traffic.

In 1929, Jože Plečnik proposed expanding the bridge by adding two pedestrian bridges on either side – not parallel, but at slight angles, creating a fan-shaped composition that funnels the space of Prešeren Square across the river toward the Town Square. Construction took place between 1931 and 1932. Plečnik removed the metal railings from the central bridge and replaced them with stone balustrades matching the new side bridges. In 1992, the bridges underwent a thorough renovation. Since 2007, the Triple Bridge area has been fully pedestrianised. In 2021, the ensemble was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Location: Central Ljubljana, between Prešeren Square and Town Square (Mestni trg). GPS: 46.0512, 14.5058.

On foot:

– From Ljubljana train station – 700 m, 10 minutes along Miklošičeva cesta

– From the bus station – 600 m, 8 minutes

By public transport:

– Bus to Tromostovje or Prešernov trg stop

– Single ticket – €1.30 with an Urbana card

By car:

– Nearest parking – underground at Congress Square (Kongresni trg), 300 m, from €1.80/hour. The city centre is a restricted-traffic zone.

Season: Year-round. In summer (June–August), riverside cafés operate on terraces near the bridge; Open Kitchen food market runs on Fridays.

Time of day: Evening – the bridges are illuminated, and the riverside atmosphere is most vibrant. At sunrise – the bridge is virtually empty, ideal for photos.

Duration: 10–15 minutes for the bridge itself. Combine with a walk through the Old Town and along the embankments.

Avoid: Nothing in particular. The stone surface is slippery in the rain.