Which country has the capital Ljubljana?
Quick answer
Ljubljana is the capital and largest city of Slovenia, a small country in central Europe bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. Its name is pronounced roughly “lyoo-BLYAH-nah.” The city has about 300,000 people and is known for its green spaces, castle on a hill and the dragon, its symbol.
Key facts
- Country
- Slovenia
- Population
- About 300,000 (city)
- River
- Ljubljanica
- Slovenia's independence
- June 25, 1991, from Yugoslavia
The dragon city
According to legend, the Greek hero Jason and his Argonauts, fleeing with the Golden Fleece, sailed up the Danube and into the Ljubljanica River, where Jason slew a dragon living in a marsh. The dragon appears on the city’s coat of arms, and four dragon statues guard the Dragon Bridge (1901), one of the first reinforced concrete bridges in Europe.
What makes Ljubljana special
- Ljubljana Castle overlooks the old town from a hilltop.
- Architect Jože Plečnik redesigned much of the city in the early 20th century, including the Triple Bridge. His works are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The city center is largely car-free, and Ljubljana was named European Green Capital in 2016.
Slovenia at a glance
| Population | About 2.1 million |
| Language | Slovene |
| Currency | Euro (since 2007) |
| Joined the EU | 2004 |
| Highest peak | Triglav, 2,864 m, shown on the national flag |
Slovenia is one of Europe’s most forested countries, with about 58% forest cover. It has a short Adriatic coastline of only about 47 km.
Famous places in Slovenia
| Place | Known for |
|---|---|
| Lake Bled | A church on an island and a cliffside castle |
| Postojna Cave | Huge cave system with its own railway and blind “olm” salamanders |
| Škocjan Caves | UNESCO-listed underground canyon |
| Piran | Venetian-style coastal town |
Don’t confuse it with Slovakia
Slovenia (capital Ljubljana) and Slovakia (capital Bratislava) are different countries. Even embassies have been known to swap mail by mistake. For more European capitals, see which European capital is on the Vltava.
Still curious?
Jump to a random question from the archive.