Ljubljana, Slovenia

1. Dragon Bridge

The Dragon Bridge , across the Ljubljanica River, opened for traffic in 1901, while Ljublana was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was the first reinforced concrete structure in the city and one of the first in Europe. The road across the bridge was also the first surface to be covered with asphalt. It replaced the wooden Butchers' Bridge that was severely damaged during an earthquake in 1895. At first, it was named the Jubilee Bridge of Emperor Frans Josef but was renamed the Dragon Bridge in 1919, after Slovenia left the Empire. The Art Nouveau bridge has subsequently been declared a technical monument. The many dragons that adorn the bridge are the most photographed symbols of the city.

2. Ljubljana Castle

The landmark Ljubljana Castle is strategically set on high ground within the city limits, in the crook of the Ljubljanica River. It is the most visited attraction in the city and one of the its symbols. A funicular transports visitors from the old town to the castle in 60 seconds. The castle started as a medieval fortress in the 11th century. Over the next 700 years the complex of buildings was rebuilt, overhauled and extended. It was once the seat of the Lords of Carniola and has also been used as a military hospital, prison, barracks and a home for the indigent. It is the venue for several festivities, including Holy Mass on Christmas Eve.

Grajska planota 1, 1000 Ljubljana, Phone: +386-13-06-42-93

3. Preseren Monument & Square

The statue of Slovenia's greatest national poet tells the story of unrequited love. A likeness of France Prešeren stands on a pedestal in the eastern side of the square named after him. He faces the window where Julija Primic, the unattainable love of his life, once lived. Behind him and above his head is a statue of a Muse, with a laurel branch in her outstretched hand. Prešeren is holding a book symbolizing his poems. Seven sculptors competed for the commission, which was won by Ivan Zajec. The statue at Preseren Monument & Square was cast in a foundry in Vienna and unveiled in 1905, in front of 20000 people.

4. Triple Bridge

The central bridge of the Triple Bridge was built in 1842. It replaced a medieval wooden bridge that linked northwestern Europe to southeastern Europe and the Balkans. By the 1920s the new bridge had become a bottleneck and itself a candidate for replacement. Instead, architect Jože Plecnik, designed additional bridges, one on either side, to carry the pedestrian load. He unified the bridges by removing the metal railings from the central bridge and adorning all three bridges with lamps and a total of 642 balustrades. All three bridges are now part of Ljubljana's pedestrian zone. A model of the Triple Bridge can be seen in Mini Europe in Brussels.

5. Robba Fountain

The Fountain of the Three Carniolan Rivers was created in the mid-18th century and was the last work of Venetian sculptor Francesco Robba before he left the city. Three male figures with jugs at Robba Fountain , representing the gods of the three rivers, surround a 10 meter obelisk. They stand in a limestone pool in the shape of the ancient 3-leafed seal of the city. Since 2001 the statue has been considered a cultural monument of national significance and is kept in the National Gallery of Slovenia A replica stands outside the Town Hall. The statue was depicted on the Slovenian 5000 tolar banknote until the currency was replaced by the Euro.

6. Krizanke

Krizanke is an open-air theater and festival space, created by Jože Plecnik in the mid 1950s, in the courtyard of a former monastery. It was his last major project for the city and was created specifically as a venue for the Ljubljana Festival which is held in July and August each year. The theater has a seating capacity of 1400 and is the venue for several cultural events. A model of the Monastery, as it was before the changes, is kept in the City Museum of Ljubljana.

Trg Francoske Revolucije 1, 1000 Ljubljana

7. City Museum of Ljubljana

The City Museum of Ljubljana is housed in the Auersperg Palace, a four-story Renaissance monument. The museum chronicles the cultural, social and economic history of the city, from the first dwelling 4500 years ago to the present day. Ljubljana's strategic geographical position is highlighted by means of interactive displays, short films and guided tours. Of the 200000 objects, a wheel and a wooden spear tip are thought to be the most important. The world's oldest wheel was found in the marshes outside the city in 2002 and the spear tip was found to be 40000 years old. There is an exhibition of models of Jože Plecnik's designs that did not materialize.

Gosposka ulica 15, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

8. House of Experiments

There are more than 60 interactive exhibits at this hands on center which explores science, perception, art and medicine. There are activities for all ages and for individuals, groups and families at the House of Experiments. There is simulated training for would-be astronauts and Formula One drivers. Circular science journeys are conducted around the city on set days. Participants need to collect stamps at various venues. A Science Adventure takes place every Saturday and Sunday at 5 pm at the center. There are even e-experiments that can be done at home. The annual Elastomobile amateur engineering competition is held each spring.

Trubarjeva Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Phone: +386-0-13-00-68-88

9. Slovenian Museum of Natural History

The national natural history collection was separated from the National Museum in 1944 to form the Museum of Natural History. The two museums are housed in the same Rudolfinum building, which was completed in 1885. Founding collections include Sigmund Zois' mineral collection and Hohewart's collection of 5000 mollusc species. There are also dioramas of alpine, wetlands and forest ecosystems. The museum's largest exhibit is the skeleton of a young female fin whale that was found off the Slovenian coast in 2005. The near complete skeleton of a woolly mammoth is the museum's symbol.

Slovenian Museum of Natural History, Prešernova 20, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Phone: +386-12-41-09-40

10. Metelkova Mesto

Metelkova was an army barracks that was vacated when the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was dissolved in 1991. A network of youth and alternative organizations occupied the premises and created a cultural center and creative space. There are seven buildings totaling 12500 square meters. Artists representing a number of disciplines perform and exhibit at the venue and almost half of Ljubljana's music concerts take place there. The occupants were at odds with the city authorities for decades over threats of demolition until 2005 when the center was declared a national cultural heritage site.

Metelkova Mesto, Metelkova ulica 10, 1000 Ljubljana