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(IPA: ) is the capital and largest city in Slovenia. The city of Ljubljana is the cultural, scientific, economic, political and administrative center of Slovenia. It is situated in central Slovenia, between the Alps and the Mediterranean. Its transport connections, concentration of industry, scientific and research institutions and industrial tradition underlie its leading economic position. Ljubljana is the seat of the central government, administrative bodies and all government ministries. It is also the seat of Parliament and the Office of the President of Slovenia.
Name Historians disagree as to where the name Ljubljana comes from. The name could have evolved from the Latin term for a flooding river, alluviana. Some also believe the source of the present-day name is Laburus, an old Slavic mythology deity and supposed patron of the original settlement. Other linguists reconstruct an earlier Laibach (), the German name for the city, may derive from Laubach (a lukewarm beck in German). The Italian name is Lubiana (). These are important for historical reasons. The German name was forbidden in Slovenia after 1918 and became especially controversial during the Second World War. Nowadays most Germans use the term Ljubljana. On the other hand, Laibach is still widely used especially in Austria, as well as by the German embassy in Ljubljana. Geography and demographics Ljubljana is located at 46.03°N, 14.30°E on the outfall of the river Ljubljanica into the Sava. It lies at an altitude of 298 meters AMSL. The temperature varies between 0°C (32 °F) in December and 21.9°C (71.4 °F) in July. Annual rainfall is 1350 mm (53.2 inches). In 2002, the city had a population of 265,881 (495,000 in the urban Ljubljana area). History
Architecture Ljubljana has a strong Austrian/Alpine feeling to it and the architecture underlines this impression. Ljubljana was devastated by earthquakes several times. After an earthquake in 1511, Ljubljana was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, and after an earthquake in 1895 severely damaged the city, the city was rebuilt in Neo-Classicist and Secession (Austrian Art Nouveau) styles. There are also a number of churches and cathedrals in Austrian Baroque style. One of the main features of the city, the castle, which dates back to prehistory, is undergoing renovation. Large areas of the city built in the early 20th century feature the work of native architect Jože Plečnik, including several bridges. Art The National Gallery (Narodna galerija) and the Museum of Modern Art (Moderna galerija) are both situated in Ljubljana, showing the greatest Slovenian artists. There is also a large counterculture centre on Metelkova Street, in a former Yugoslav military complex. Metelkova hosts lectures, films and concerts of mainly alternative music (e.g., Laibach). There are a number of music festivals with mainly classical music and jazz such as the Ljubljana Summer Festival (Ljubljanski poletni festival) and Druga Godba, a world music festival. Education In 1693 the Scholar Society (Academia operosorum Labacensis) was established in Ljubljana. This fell into decline in 1801 but was a forerunner to the present Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts which opened in 1938. The city's only university, the University of Ljubljana, was established in 1919. The city also has the Philharmonic Society (Academia Philharmonicorum), established in 1701. Twin cities Trivia See also Notes Photographs | ||||||||||
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