When Tito died in 1980, Slovenian dissatisfaction with the Serb-dominated government deepened. In 1987 Yugoslavia’s new de facto leader, Serbia’s Slobodan Miloševic, resolved to put an end to any talk of independence. Slovenia rebelled and in 1990, it voted to become an independent republic. The Yugoslav army attacked, but after meeting with unexpected resistance, the federal army left. Yugoslav government agreed to a truce and finally withdrew in October 1991. Slovenia drew up its own constitution, and was recognized by the European Community in January, 1992. In 2004, it joined the European Union. Of the six former communist sectors in Yugoslavia, Slovenia, perhaps because of its proximity to Europe, made the transition to a market economy more smoothly than the others.

Ljubljana Castle looms over the town. Originally a medieval fortress, it was probably constructed in the 11th century and rebuilt in the 12th century. It acquired its present outline with an almost complete overhaul in the 15th century, but the majority of its buildings date to the 16th and 17th centuries.

Because it was never the home of a ruler and because a it had outlived its importance as a fortification, the state started to lose interest in maintenance. The upkeep costs were so high the castle began to crumble. In the 19th century, the castle was redesigned partially as a prison and partially as a military stronghold. In 1905, the castle was bought by Ljubljana city for a museum. But that never happened. Instead, the city settled poor families there. They stayed until 1963, when renovation of the castle began. Extensive renovations commenced in 1970. Since the 1990s, the castle has been used as a tourist draw and place for weddings and cultural events.

Back down the hill. The Ljubljanica River flows through the town. It is the focal point for life in the central part of the old city.

First a stone a bridge was built in 1842 to replace an old wooden one… in 1929 two footbridges were added, one on either side, to improve vehicle traffic connecting the medieval part of the city with the new town. Hence the Triple Bridge. All three sections are now built of sturdy stone. 

A dragon sits atop Ljubljana’s castle on the city’s official emblem. Dragons appear on the city’s coat of arms, bridges, flag, buildings, license plates and even manhole covers.

 

Dragons are central to Ljubljana’s identity. They protect the city and symbolize its resilience, power, strength, and courage. 

Because the river runs right through the center of old town, more bridges became necessary. The statuary for each is unsettling.

There were designated streets for various craftsman’s guilds.  One has a locksmith’s insignia at he entrance to a small, dark alley. There are no locksmiths there now. A lined drain down the middle of the lane is filled with strange distorted faces.

There are several main squares in the area. One features a statue that was considered blasphemy to a local priest. Her uncovered breasts were visible to him. Mon Dieu! A tree planted there solved the problem. He would no longer be affronted looking out his window.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the cleverest recycling ideas we have seen. These above ground bins are conscientiously used by the public, leaving the streets very tidy. Under the street are large collection dumpsters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLED CASTLE:
The castle was located at a strategic spot at the end of the easiest passage through the Alps to the south. Built high on an outcrop, it had a good view of invaders from any direction.
In 1004, a German king gave the estate of Bled to a Bishop in gratitude for his support in solidifying German rule in northern Italy. In 1371, the Bishops of Brixen gave up the direct administration of the Bled estate and leased it to Konrad von Kreigh. The Kreigh family ruled Bled for nearly 200 years.

An earthquake in 1509 damaged the castle. In fear the castle might collapse, the residents left. The damage was not fully repaired for many years. The first Slavic families started arriving at Bled in the mid-1600’s and found work as feudal serfs. Some lived on the castle grounds. The castle was struck by lightning several times, causing extensive fires. In 1690 there was another earthquake and it was again slowly repaired.
In 1803 Bled castle was nationalized by decree from the Viennese court commission. But then, in 1809, oops, Napoleon occupied the area and it was owned by the French for a while.

After the French left, and following the abolition of the feudal system, the state was unable to maintain the property and was forced to sell. After the Second World War, Bled Castle began to deteriorate. A thorough restoration began in 1952. The restoration was completed in 1961. Finally, Bled Castle was declared a national cultural monument in 1999. Today it is a national treasure and a tourist destination.

The valley was glaciated until the end of the last ice age, 14,000 years ago. Its retreat left the lake with a small island in the middle. (see feature image at top also)

The clock in the bell tower is an engineering marvel from the 1800’s. A huge pendulum turns huge cogs to the advance the clock. It chimes every 15 minutes on its own or whenever someone in the church pulls the cord. Small people have a hard time getting the heavy bell to ring. If one does succeed, a wish is granted.

The settlement at Radovljica, built around a church, was first mentioned in a 1296 deed. It was a walled city, but is walled no more. Seems people first built walls around their cities to repel invaders. Some left during the day to tend fields, but returned at night with the gates locked behind them. As the population grew, people and their animals moved to outside farms. Originally built with wooden roofs, when the town burned down, they replaced the roofs with tiles to be fireproof.

However, with more modern weaponry, the walls were no longer effective protection. People tore them down and offered the stones to residents to use for themselves. Some walls, like those surrounding Dubrovnik, Croatia, were too much trouble to take down, and other building materials more readily available, so they survive today.

Thanks for following along with us on our quest to find out what happened to Yugoslavia. It is an area that deserves a lot more time to explore.