Best things to do in Lower Carniola Region

Walk down the cobbled streets of Ljubljana Old Town, nestled between the river and the hilltop castle. The historical center features local designer shops, cafes, and restaurants, a farmer's market, several historical bridges, and the only row of 19th-century buildings that survived the 1895 earthquake. The charming narrow lanes lead to two squares: the city square with the city hall and a copy of the 18th-century "three rivers" fountain, and the upper square. Taste local specialties, enjoy watching street artists, and take in the architectural details, such as wall carvings, sculptural decoration, or elaborate metalwork on fences and balustrades. The nearby castle and tower provide panoramic views of the city.

Walk the steep climb or take a funicular to reach Ljubljana Castle on the top of the hill, offering panoramic views of the Old Town. Visible from every corner of the city, the castle was built in the middle of the 15th century and served as a military hospital and arsenal in the 17th and 18th centuries. Walk over the remains of the fortifications turned into a promenade and join a guided tour, where costumed characters representing different historical periods will take you back to the time of wars, Ottoman invasions, and Habsburg rulers. The castle houses restaurants serving traditional Slovene food, and hosts art exhibitions, concerts, theatre shows and an open-air cinema. Shop for traditional handcraft at the gallery by the entrance.

Stylishly marking the entrance to the Old Town, Triple Bridge combines a 19th-century stone bridge sandwiched between two side bridges added in 1930s. The stone bridge linking the main square with the Old Town and the market replaced an old wooden one in 1842. Due to busy traffic, the city employed the famous Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik to reconstruct the old bridge. Instead of widening it, he built two side pedestrian bridges with stairways leading down to the riverbank. The middle bridge, which used to be crossed by cars, buses, and a tram line, is today lined with benches. Look for an inscription at the base of the bridge dedicating it to Archduke Franz Charles in 1842.

Enjoy some outdoor recreation among the bucolic lawns, pastures, rose gardens, and wooded areas of Tivoli Park. Nestled among rolling hills, the largest park in the city was laid out in 1813 and is also home to a number of cultural sites, such as a 17th-century mansion and a neoclassical castle with the fountain guarded by four cast-iron dogs. At the park's entrance, notice the monument dedicated to the founder of the Slovene national identity, Primoz Trubar. Kids can enjoy adventure playgrounds with mini-golf areas and a zoo. The lawn beside a shallow rectangular pond features an open-air library, which moves into the nearby greenhouse during winter.

Walk across the Art Nouveau Dragon Bridge and admire the four large dragons protecting its corners, symbols from the city's coat-of-arms. Built at the very beginning of the 20th century, it was the city's first reinforced concrete bridge and Slovenia's first bridge paved with asphalt. Floral motifs decorate its arch and railings, while smaller griffins embellish the plinths of its eight bronze candelabras. Notice the dashes of red paint at the dragons' mouths and claws, recent additions by an anonymous enthusiast.

Admire the elaborate details of Franciscan Church of the Annunciation, known for its high-Baroque exterior and the distinctive pinkish color of its outside walls. Dominating the square on the left bank of the Ljubljanica River, the church was built by Augustinian priests between 1646 and 1660, but Franciscans painted it red when they took over in the 18th century. The three sets of stairs lead to the main entrance with a copper statue of the Madonna with Child standing at the top of the gable. Notice the onion-shaped spires topping the bell towers by the presbytery. The original 19th-century wall paintings were damaged by the 1895 earthquake and the new frescoes were painted in 1930s. Don't miss the highlight of the interior: the Baroque main altar carved by Francesco Robba in 1738.

Visit one of the city's landmarks and a prime example of mature Baroque in Slovenia at Cathedral of St. Nicholas. Modeled after Rome's most famous Jesuit church Il Gesu, the building replaced an earlier Gothic church, dominating the skyline with its twin towers and green dome. The most prominent features of the exterior are the elaborately decorated wooden and bronze doors and Roman tombstones built in the exterior walls. Notice the keystone with Christ near the entrance, which was preserved from the older church. The Gothic pieta and statues of significant bishops and saints stand in the niches of the facade. The interior features a painted dome and the altar of Corpus Christi surrounded by angels.