University of Maribor
Faculty of Arts
Department of Geography
SLOVENIA
Assistant Professor Lučka Lorber, Ph.D
Slovenia in Brief
The Republic of Slovenia lies at the heart of
Europe, where the Alps face the Pannonian
plains and the Mediterranean meets the
mysterious Karst. To the north is Austria;
Hungary is to the east; Croatia to the south
and Italy to the west.
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Area: 20,273 km2
Population: 2,053.740 (30.9.2010)
Capital city: Ljubljana
Language: Slovene; also Italian and Hungarian in nationally mixed areas
Currency: euro (since 1 January 2007)
Important dates:
-Independence - 25 June 1991
-Member of EU - 1 May 2004
-Introduction of the euro - 1 January 2007
Slovenia – the Landscape
Triglav, the highest mountain of Slovenia's Julian Alps. For its exceptional
beauty, the Slovenes have chosen their highest mountain peak, Triglav
(2,864m), as their national symbol. Most of the Slovene land is mountainous.
Alpine mountains cover 4/10 of the entire national territory.
Slovenia – the Landscape
Logarska dolina - The valley of Logarska in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps is one
of the most beautiful and peaceful glacial valleys in Europe. Protected since
1987.
Slovenia – the Landscape
Rakov Škocjan. The massive natural bridge in the regional park of Rakov
Škocjan is considered to be a true karstic gem.
Slovenia – the Landscape
Planinsko polje (Planina polje). Slovenia has become known to the world for
its Kras (Karst), which has given the name to many karstic features around
the world (polje for a karstic field, doline for sinkhole and so forth). The
most interesting karstic lakes are both intermittent and seasonal, and there
are 25 such "polje" lakes in the Notranjska region alone.
Slovenia – the Landscape
Sečovlje salt-pans. The Sečovlje salt-pans still produce salt using
traditional methods. Part of the area has been designated as a nature
reserve and ornithologists have recorded over 150 different species of
bird here.
Slovenia – the Landscape
Koper. The largest coastal town and Slovenia's only commercial port. The
Port of Koper provides the shortest route from Central Europe to the
Mediterranean and is Slovenia's maritime gateway to the world. Despite
industrial growth it has preserved its old centre untouched.
Slovenia – the Landscape
Pohorje, the Black Lake. The 50 kilometre-long Pohorje massif, with
its extensive forests, is the green lungs of Štajerska.
Slovenia – the Landscape
Bela Krajina (Plešivica). The southernmost Slovene region and foremost
region of traditions still observed in everyday life. It is a plain with occasional
karstic features, with forests dominating in the lower ground and slopes
studded with vineyards.
Slovenia – the Landscape
The River Mura in the
Pomurje region. In its 98
km-long Slovene section
the River Mura (rises in
the Alps of Austria's High
Tauern) becomes a typical
Pannonian lowland river,
meandering back and
forth across the plains of
Pomurje.
Slovenia – Ljubljana
Ljubljana. The centre of trade, culture and education, the capital and largest city
(population 330,000) nestles between the castle hill and the Ljubljanica river.
Slovenia – Ljubljana
The main building of the University. The Slovenes only founded their own
university in 1919, but at least as many Slovene scholars as were needed to make
up such an institution of higher education had been dispersed throughout
Europe ever since the 12th century.
Slovenia – Ljubljana
Tromostovje (Triple Bridge). One of the symbols of the city, designed in 1929 by
Jože Plečnik (1872-1957).
Slovenia – Ljubljana
Ljubljanica riverbanks. Medieval buildings mirrored in the river.
Slovenia – Ljubljana
The reading room in
the National and
University Library in
Ljubljana. The
building constructed
in 1941, represents
one of architect Jože
Plečnik's most
monumental works.
Slovenia – Natural and Cultural Heritage
The noble Lipizzaner horse originated in Lipica, Slovenia, where the
stud farm was established in 1580.
Slovenia – Natural and Cultural Heritage
The variety of wildlife in the Slovene forests - with a little luck you
might encounter a bear, especially in the forests of Kočevje area.
Slovenia – Natural and Cultural Heritage
Proteus anguinus. The proteus or olm, known locally as "human fish" , was
discovered in the Karst. This endemic animal is considered to be the trademark of
Slovene speleology.
Slovenia – Natural and Cultural Heritage
Zois' Bellflower (Campanula
zoysii). Around 3000 highland
plants (ferns and seed-bearing
plants) grow in Slovenia, and
approximately 70 of them are
endemic. Zois' bellflower was
found more than 200 years ago
in the Bohinj Alps and on
Storžič; it grows in the Julian
and Kamnik Alps and in the
Karavanke.
Slovenia – Natural and Cultural Heritage
Maribor - 400 year-Old Vine. The heart of Maribor's old town, Lent,
provides refuge for the Old Vine. It is thought to be the oldest in the world,
but still offers up its juice.
Slovenia – Natural and Cultural Heritage
Cerkniško jezero (Lake Cerknica). The intermittent Lake Cerknica (26 sq. km),
a world-ranking attraction. It is a lake for half the year in which one can fish
and, in winter, skate on the frozen surface. It starts to disappear in spring and
leaves behind a polje (field), where farmers cut hay through the summer.
Slovenia – Natural and Cultural Heritage
The Ljubljana Barje (Marshland). Ljubljansko Barje lies to the south-west
of Ljubljana. This unique landscape is a highly diverse and rich ecosystem
for aquatic and marsh birds.
Slovenia – Natural and Cultural Heritage
Štanjel. A typical old karst settlement clinging on below the top of a
hill. Štanjel has an attractive garden created by Slovene architect,
Max Fabiani, between 1920 and 1930.
Slovenia – Natural and Cultural Heritage
Ptuj, one of the oldest
Slovene towns. With its
two-thousand-year
history, Ptuj is a museum
in itself. The town lies on
Roman foundations beside
the old crossing over the
Drava river.
Slovenia – Natural and Cultural Heritage
Maribor, Main square. Maribor is the second largest city in Slovenia. The
city developed along the river Drava and acquired town rights in 1254.
Main square with plague monument. Mary's Column with the six statuettes
was erected in 1743.
Slovenia – Natural and Cultural Heritage
The Gothic and Baroque
styles prevail in
numerous (Roman
Catholic) churches,
which are often located
on hilltops.
Slovenia – Tourism
Lake Bled. The combination of natural wonders and unique culture and
history attracts visitors. Among the most frequently visited locations, the
Alpine Lake Bled area ranks first. The castle, dating back to 1111, and
the "pletna" rowing-boats are two of the many attractions.
Slovenia – Tourism
Piran, one of the oldest, most picturesque and distinct towns along
the Slovene coast, often referred to as a living museum.
Slovenia – Tourism
Portorož. The main tourist centre of the Slovene coast
is the summer and spa resort of Portorož, which also
features a marina.
Slovenia – Tourism
From one of the many wine cellars in Slovenia. The Slovene lands include
three completely different wine-growing regions: Podravska (north-east),
Posavska (south) and Primorska (south-west).
Slovenia – Tourism
Delicious "kraški
pršut" - air-dried
ham. Karst ham one of the
specialities of the
coastal region
cuisine, served with
olives, home-made
cheese, various
seafood salads and
Karst Teran wine.
Slovenia – Tourism
Rural tourism is well-developed throughout Slovenia. It offers a range of
holiday programmes, including hiking, climbing, riding, cycling, boating
and fishing, shooting the rapids in kayaks, bathing in rivers and lakes,
playing tennis or golf, hang-gliding and skiing.
Slovenia – Tourism
Zdravilišče Rogaška Slatina (Rogaška Health Spa). Slovenia's health spas
have a tradition stretching back for centuries. The famous spa of Rogaška
Slatina is over 400 years old. Napoleon and Austrian Emperors experienced
their healing waters. The tradition of glass making has turned the nearby
factory Rogaška glassworks into a world leader in crystal production.
Slovenia – Tourism
A magnificent world under the Earth's surface. The stalagmite and stalactite
rich karstic underground world is already very popular, thanks to the
Postojna Caves. The best-known show caves are the Postojna Caves, Pivka
and Erna Caves, Planinska Cave, Škocjan Caves, Vilenica and Križna Cave.
Slovenia – History
The Freising
Manuscripts (9th cent.).
The first known written
records in the Slovene
language go back to the
end of the first
millennium. Known as
the Freising
manuscripts, they are
preserved in the State
Archives in Munich.
Slovenia – History
Map of the Slovene Lands,
first published in 1853 by
Peter Kozler. Slovenia is
proud of this Map of the
Slovene Lands that was first
published in 1853 by Peter
Kozler. The first descriptions
and cartographic works on
the area date to the times of
the Austrian Empire. In 1689
a book on "The Glory of the
Duchy of Carniola" provided
some of the earliest detail on
the areas settled by the
Slovenes. ))
Slovenia – History
The democratic ritual of the enthronement of Carinthian princes on a stone
throne was unique in feudal Europe. Until the coming of the Franks, the
Slovenes had their own administration and elected their own rulers. (Detail
from a fresco by Gojmir Anton Kos (1896-1979))
Slovenia – History
Franciscan monastery of Kostanjevica near Nova Gorica. The
monastery of Kostanjevica, built in the 17th century, boasts a rich
library collection and also the crypt of the last of the royal line of the
Bourbons.
Slovenia – History
Javorca nad Tolminom - Church of the Holy Spirit. Built
in 1916 by Austro-Hungarian soldiers in memory of the
thousands of victims of the First World War in this area.
Slovenia – Ethnology
Beehive at Muljava. Painted beehive panels - unique in the world.
Honey production has a long tradition in Slovenia. At the end of the
18th century the Vienna court apiarist, Slovene Anton Janša, bred a
native species of Carniolian bee.
Slovenia – Ethnology
Home-made wooden
goods. Some Slovene
regions became and
remain famous for
certain products. The
people of the Ribnica
area are known for their
home-made wooden
items, called locally suha
roba. Their merchandise
can still be found at
markets.
Slovenia – Ethnology
Idrija lace. Traditional
handicrafts can still be
found in many rural
areas of Slovenia: lace,
woodcarving, pottery,
crystal, as well as other
products are living proof
of Slovenia's ethnic pride
and heritage.
Slovenia – Ethnology
The "toplar" hayrack.
A special feature of the
land is the hayrack, a
simple wooden
construction for
drying hay. Some
thirty different types
can be distinguished
by their construction,
most of them found
only in Slovenia.
Slovenia – Ethnology
Klopotec - birdscaring rattle.
Klopotec - a wooden
device for scaring
birds away from
vineyards. The
klopotec that can still
be found in the
north-east of
Slovenia is an
original Slovene
product.
Slovenia – Ethnology
Pannonian house. Colourful houses and unique constructions
made of wood, straw, mud and thatched roof can still be
found in the region of Prekmurje.
Slovenia – Ethnology
Kurent - Carnival spirit. Kurent, a fearsome
"Pust" (carnival) figure bringing luck and
abundant crops, comes from Ptujsko polje.
Slovenia – Ethnology
Traditional ornament - painted eggs
from Bela Krajina.
Slovenia – Ethnology
Potica - a pastry for festive occasions. This excellent, original, almost
sculptured cake is a Slovene speciality. The recipes are a kind of family
secret, passing from generation to generation like folk songs.
Slovenija