Day 120– Slovenia 6 – Sunday 1/8/12

It was the final day in Slovenia, but we had a nighttime flight so we had the whole day to explore.  Lizzie and I had quite the list to accomplish, but we felt that we could make it happen.  We set of first through Tivoli Park towards the Contemporary History Museum. The park was wonderful, and although it was winter and cold, it was beautiful. I could just imagine how pretty it would be if it were all green!  We arrived a few minutes early to the Contemporary History Museum so we took the opportunity for a photo opp with the Yugoslavian tank that was parked outside!  This was probably my favorite museum or at least top 3 in Ljubljana. I am just not sure that my writing can do justice for how comprehensive, interactive, and engaging this museum was. There was a very nice man working there that shared with us so much great information as we journeyed through the museum and played the videos there about WWI and WWII. 

The walkway to the park underneath the highway

Tivoli Park

Mansion in Tivoli Park

Contemporary History Museum

The tank out front of the Contemporary History Museum

We then walked back through the park and to the National Gallery. The building was BEAUTIFUL! Inside were works starting in the 13th century and going up to the 20th century,  We got to see the work of the first well-known Slovenian woman artist to be famous before her death, Ivana Kobilca (1861-1926).  Another notable artist was Richard Jakopic, in his lifetime he worked very hard to help art be more recognized and was one of the initiators of the National Gallery. He worked to try and have the city open a Modern Gallery but when they would not, he fully funded the 1st Slovene permanent art gallery in Tivoli Park. 

From the National Gallery we went to the Modern Art Gallery.  This gallery was arranged in a way that you were to start and follow a map for the best viewing. The path started with Modernism and Expressionism, then went to New Objectivity, Generation of Independence, Avant-garde, Art of the Partisan Resistance, Modernism of the 50's and 60's, Art informal, Painting in the 1970's, Neo-constructivism, Retro-Avant-garde, New image, and Realism.  It was really interesting and much of the artwork really provoked thought.

Modern Art Gallery

With our time constraint and list of galleries we had a lunch on the go in the central city park. This park is actually on top of a 5 story parking garage! What a use of space!!

Park where we ate

From there it was to the City Museum. The museum is in the Auersperg Palace that was built in 1642.  When the museum was being renovated archaelolgical excavations were carried out. In these excavations many things were discovered: pre-historic graves from 1000-800 BC, remnants of Roman buildings, a Roman road that connected the city of Emona to other Roman cities, as well as a nearly 2000 year-old canal system that was still in function. Lizzie and I decided to take along with us the audio players, it turned out to be a great idea. The tour on the audio guide was easy to work, you could skip portions, hear more if you wanted, it was very comprehensive. It was also told like a story by two different people, first Mr. Auersperg started the tour and did the portions from his life period, and then he passed it on to a woman who lived during the more recent historical period. It was very animated, some may say a bit cheesy, but overall I really enjoyed hearing about the exhibitions that way.  The museum was also VERY kid friendly- Lizzie and I even got into it. Throughout each time period, you could stamp your paper with an embossing stamp- we collected them all!!!  There were also many hands on examples of the artifacts that were in the cases, and at one point you could even make a rubbing of a Roman coin! This museum was one of my favorites. It really is amazing how much time and effort this city has put into their museums!! 

Roman Canal under Auersperg Mansion

Auersperg Family Crest

Mayor's Room 

From Yugoslavia era

Pen used to sign document for Slovenia's independence

Our final stop was the Ljubljana castle. We had been looking at it all week, but it was going to be the way we finished our Slovenian adventure.  We took a Funucular up to the castle- it was an enclosed lift. Arriving at the castle we first saw the courtyard. It was breathtaking! The sun had already gone down so there were lights on the castle walls and it really added to the ambiance. We first headed up the tower to see the view. WOW- the city of Ljubljana from the sky and at night! The castle also had a beautiful chapel that we went in.  There was an art gallery that we chose to not spend time at since we had been at 2 already that day. We did however watch the video of the Virtual Castle. It was a recreation of the history of the castle all the way back to roman times. It included actors who were in period clothing.  We also went to see the museum of Slovene History.  Throughout our time in Slovenia we saw a lot of history, but this museum was also set up in a way that you were engaged and wanted to continue reading/looking.  Each time period had a video of actors that spoke in general terms about the time and people. There were also interactive screens filled with information. It was like a virtual text book. I was really inspired to read more about the area- it will be added to my summer reading list for sure!  This museum went all the way through current times, including Slovenia's independence in 1991. If my feet had not hurt so bad from a week of walking, and if we didn't have a plane to catch I could have spent SO much more time there!!  We walked back through the courtyard (that is used for concerts, movies, and weddings) to the Funicular to head back to the hostel so we could pack and go back to our home away from home, Macedonia.

Tower with the view

Stairs leading up- complete with a dragon!

The stairs looking down 

view of the courtyard from the tower

Side of the castle from the tower

The city of Ljubljana

A door in the castle.

A stairway

The Chapel

Wall paintings in the chapel

Bell in one of the towers

Walking out of the castle

Leaving the castle

Slovenia was a beautiful country. I am so glad that we took the time and money to go and see it beauty. Like Croatia, it is a country that I would love to return to someday. 

Lesson: Appreciate the beauty that surrounds you, although you may see it everyday, don't take it for granted.