Surprising Slovenia is Europe's Best Kept Secret
Well informed travelers have started exploring Slovenia in recent years as a result of the restoration of the historic old city within the capital city of Ljubljana, several natural wonders and the clean countryside, and the friendliness of its people. However, Europe's best kept secret, located close to other popular destinations like Venice and the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, will not remain "undiscovered" for long.
Full of imposing mountains, Slovenia is sparsely populated with miles of lush forests and green plains interspersed with red roofed villages. Dominated by the Austria-Hungary empire and the Hapsburg rulers since the 15th century, the people there have been affected by Germanic culture and Slavic traditions, with a dose of Italian influences. Roman Catholic churches predominate in the country with only a small number of Eastern Orthodox, Protestant and Islamic practitioners.
EMERGING ECONOMY
The collapse of the Soviet Union led to the redrawing of maps throughout Eastern Europe for the third time in the 20th century. Slovenia emerged as a new nation in 1991 after being a province of non-aligned communist Yugoslavia. United by history, religion and culture, this small country of two million avoided much of the ethnic strife that wracked the Balkan peninsula in the 1990s.
Instead, Slovenia quickly built a solid economic foundation based on membership in the European Economic Community, a parliamentary government and substantial investment in roads, ports and other infrastructure.
With these assets and a strategic location, Slovenia has become a regional crossroads for manufacturing and business transactions. Leading industries there are clustered in the automotive, electronic, machinery, pharmaceutical and export sectors. Its people have one of the highest standards of living in the region.
PLACES TO VISIT
There are many places worth visiting on a trip to Slovenia but the following ones should be considered on an initial visit:
Lake Bled - Located in the middle of the country near the Julian Alps, Lake Bled is a tranquil glacial lake with a crystal green color. Reserved for swimmers, paddle boaters and rowers, Lake Bled has been enjoyed for generations by Slovenians but now is attracting vacationers to it's shores and the nearby small town.
In addition to the cool clear waters, the lake has unique and highly symbolic structures surrounding it. The first place most people visit is the small island in the center of the lake after gliding over on traditional Slovenian wooden boats known as plentas. The island contains St. Mary's Church, which is perched on a limestone cliff at the top of 100 steps. The church attracts religious pilgrims and couples seeking a romantic destination location for weddings.
On another side of the lake looms Bled Castle which was originally constructed a thousand years ago by a local bishop on a rocky premonitory rising 400 feet above the lake. German vassels administered the region from this castle for hundreds of years, and the castle continued thereafter to be an important venue for affairs of state involving Slovenia. Now open to the public, Bled Castle serves as a museum and is used for cultural festivals and concerts. The terraces, moat, and ramparts offer spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding areas. In contrast to the castle and the church, Yugoslavia's former communist ruler Tito built his own summer villa on the opposite side of lake from which he could monitor these two sites of historical significance to Slovenians.
Old Town Ljubljana - The well-preserved city center of Slovenia's capital Ljubljana has developed into a small town rival of some more famous Eastern European cities like Vienna, Prague and Zagreb. History oriented visitors may enjoy seeing the Roman ruins of Emona or the medieval fortress of Ljubljana Castle. However, the place gets its unique character from is the city squares and baroque architecture of dozens of buildings built during the era of the Hapsburg rulers which avoided destruction during several wars. Featuring elaborate bridges and river cruises, the Ljubljanica River is lined with cafes and shops. The medieval town hall, bell towers, statues, and farmers market provide additional flair to this emerging destination.
Postojna Caves - The Postojna Caves are one of the largest underground cave systems in Europe and you don't have to be a spelunker to enjoy them. Visitors can ride a train deep into the mountain to see large subterranean chambers and stalactites. On a walking tour through the tunnels, there are numerous limestone formations as well as the remains of creatures dating back to the ice age.
In Slovenia, the outdoors are a common theme for life and culture. People enjoy alpine events in winter and biking throughout the countryside and the mountains in summer. Horses are another attraction. The need for strong cavalry horse resulted in the breeding of Lipizzaner stallions in Slovenia. Known throughout the world for their nobility and style, these stallions can be observed up close at the Lipica estate in Karst which has been the principal stables for these impressive animals since the 16th century.
Throughout the ages, Slovenia has been at the crossroads of many important events and likely will remain so.