Piraeus

Piraeus is Athens's port located about 8km to the southwest on the Gulf of Saronikos. Although some might consider it a part of Athens, it's a separate town, with its own Assembly and administration.

Piraeus was laid out about 450 BC, at which time it already served Athens as a port. In 86 BC, it was totally destroyed by the Romans, and it resumed importance only after Greece became independent in the 19th century. In 1834 the site was chosen as the port for the modern Athens.

Today, this is a major port and industrial centre of Greece, with shipyards, flour mills and various factories.

Attractive Neoclassical Buildings

trilogy

A few minutes walk from the Parliament, there are these 3 famous buildings of modern Athens: the Academy, University and Library. They were all built of the marble from Mt. Pendeli and constructed by Theophilos Hansen in the 1800s.

In front of the Academy, you can see the statues of Apollo and Athena.

The country's oldest general university is the National University of Athens, founded in 1837. In front of it, there are several statues of famous Greek people.

The nearby National Library houses around 500,000 books.

Address: Venizelis Street

Evzones

Evzones are the elite soldiers chosen for their height and strength. They guard the tomb of the unknown soldiers and the Parliament building.

The guards wear pleated skirts, the foustanelas, that the Greek fighters of the 1821 revolution used to wear. Today it's the official uniform of the Evzones.

Every half an hour they do a little march and dance to break the monotony of standing still all day (they change every hour). They do this little kick step with their sarouchi shoes with the pom-poms.

Directions: in front of the tomb of the unknown soldiers

An intact temple

This small temple was built in 449 B.C. but looks intact. At 1st it was believed to be the Temple to Thoseus, but now it's certain that it was built to Hephaestos and Athena.

The temple was also used as a church dedicated to Saint George, known as Saint George the Lazy because it was only open 1 day of the year.

The place is surrounded by cafés, restaurants and streets turned into walkways with trees and flowers.

The Theatre Of Herod Atticus

Below the Acropolis is this theatre, built by the Romans in 161 A.D.

It's still used for classical concerts and performances, especially during the Summer Festival.

The 5000 seats were renewed between 1950 and 1961.

Directions: City centre

The Erectheion

This is yet another main attraction and the best preserved building here. It was built between 420 and 393 B.C. and was named after King Erectheus, who was later identified as Poseidon.

It's famous for the porch of maidens, the Caryatids (named after the women from Greek village of Karye who were turned into slaves and condemned to carry beams when their village was destroyed because it supported the Persians). These are in fact copies. All the originals but 1 are in the Acropolis Museum. That 1 is in the British Museum.

This is also the most sacred site of the Acropolis where Poseidon and Athena had their contest because both wanted to become the Patron of the city. Poseidon thrust his trident into the rock and a spring burst forth, while Athena touched the ground with a spear and an olive tree grew. In this way Athena became the Patron and the city was named after her. Poseidon was given a small village in Syros.

Directions: near the Parthenon

The Parthenon

This immense building, dedicated to Athena, was designed by Iktinos and Kallikrates as the home of the giant statue of Athena. It took 15 years (447-438 B.C.) to build this temple under the supervision of famous Phidias.

From a temple, it became a church, a mosque and a storage facility for Turkish gunpowder. In 1687, the Venetians bombarded it and it has been under reconstruction ever since.

Directions: when you pass through the Propylaea walk ahead and you won't miss it!

Ancient City

a postcard collection

Easy Access

Kranj's at the intersection of major highways running from northern Europe to the Adriatic Sea and from Western to Eastern Europe. Roads from the border crossings at Jezersko, Ljubelj, the Karavanke Tunnel, Ratece and Podkoren lead here.

Kranj's 7km from the international airport at Brnik, and the transcontinental railroad from London to Istanbul runs through it.

Mestna hiša

The Town Hall (Mestna hiša) is one of the most important cultural monuments in Slovenia. It's in fact two buildings in one; one from the 16th century and the other from the 17th century. The ground floor of the older part's used for temporary art and museum displays.

On the main square, right in front of the Town Hall, there's a Carniolan communal well whose top's adorned with a gilded ball and an eagle that symbolizes the City of Kranj.

St Kancijan, one of Slovenia's 1st parish churches, is a monument of Gothic design completed in 1491.

There are other churches nearby, as well, such as the Rozenvenska (Rosery) Church and the St Sebastian and Rok Churches that also add to the beauty of the town centre.

The Old Town

Plečnikove arkade

The old town draws everyone's attention because of its numerous archaeological and other attractions, among which the most important are architect Jože Plečnik's arcades and fountain, the 16-17th-century Town Hall, the ancient toll house and Kislkamen Castle. 

The City of Prešeren

the main square

Kranj's located in the central part of Gorenjska, Slovenia's northwestern region at the foot of the Alps.

The grey rock on which the oldest part of Kranj stands was 1st settled several thousands years BC. In medieval times the place became an important commercial centre and was granted its town rights in the 13th century. Today Kranj's the business, commercial, cultural and religious centre of Gorenjska.

How to get there?

By train:
Munich-Salzburg-Villach-Ljubljana-Zagreb-Belgrade
Vienna-Graz-Maribor-Ljubljana
Venice-Trieste-Ljubljana-Zagreb

info at: Slovenijaturist, Slovenska 58, Ljubljana (311-851).

By car:
Villach E651
Klagenfurt E63
Graz E57
Trieste E63/E70
Zagreb E70

By plane:
London, Manchester, Moscow, Munich, Paris, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Tirana, Skopje, Istanbul, Zurich, Split, Vienna, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Prague, Tel Aviv, Glasgow and Sarajevo.

info at: Adria Airways, Gosposvetska 313, Ljubljana (313-312).

Rimski zid

The Ancient Roman Wall (Rimski zid) is a part of the walls of the ancient Emona.

Address: Mirje

Directions: South City Centre, off of Barjanska-Slovenska

Park Tivoli

If you get tired of walking, visit this large park and relax.

You'll find playgrounds there and a pond at the foot of the Rožnik Hill. There's also a small zoo.

Address: Tivoli Park

Directions: West of City Centre

Zmajski most

Dragons are the symbol of Ljubljana. You can find them everywhere; on coat-of-arms, street lamps, façades or on a bridge.

The Dragon Bridge (Zmajski most), with 4 green dragons guarding the entrances, is 1 of the most famous ones over the Ljubljanica River. When it was built in 1901, following the designs of Jurij Zaninovich, it was 1 of the largest reinforced concrete bridges in Europe.

The picture's showing my sister and me in front of a dragon.

Address: Kopitarjeva

Directions: On Kopitarjeva, near central market

Prešernov trg

Some call this square 'a pocket-handkerchief Trafalgar Square.' It's a popular gathering place easily recognized by the bronze statue of Slovenian greatest poet France Prešeren.

The picture's showing my sister and niece next to the memorial.

Address: Old Town

Directions: From anywhere in Old Town, follow any of the main roads

Tromostovlje

If you want to leave the Old Town and go to the modern city centre, you can do it by crossing one of three bridges built by Jožef Plečnik. They're called Tromostovlje (Triple Bridge).

Address: Prešeren Square

Stari grad

a fountain

The most beautiful part of Ljubljana is the Old Town (Stari grad). It's built on the banks of the Ljubljanica River.

There are a lot of beautiful old houses, great little shops, galleries, cafés... There's also the City Hall with the mayor's office nearby.

Address: Old Town

Directions: South City Centre

Check it out!

Ina by the lake

Lake Bled's renowned as 1 of the most beautiful venues of the Annual World Rowing Competition on still water.

End of April-May Day Rowing Regatta
June-International Rowing Regatta
April-September-Golf Tournament
1st weekend in August-Summer Hockey League
September-Slovenian Rowing Championship

The Wishing Bell

ring the bell

When you come to Bled and visit the island on the lake, don't miss to ring the bell and make a wish. It'll come true...at least mine did!

The bell's from 1534 and it's in the upper roof above the church nave. It was made by Patavina from Padova.

Test your golf skills!

Ina playing mini-golf

There are several excellent golf courses in Slovenia, but perhaps the most beautiful 1 is in Bled. It has 27 holes and is a true challenge.

The oldest course in Bled was constructed in 1938. Its 18-hole and 9-hole courses are set in outstanding mountain scenery.

And, if you're by any chance in Bled in April to September, you'll be able to enjoy a Golf Tournament.

Phone: +386 64 741 122

Feel At Home!

Pension Tiffany is a place where you can feel at home. Choose among very comfortable apartments with 3 or 4 beds, a bathroom, a kitchen and a balcony.

It's perfect for families with children because the location is off the main road, but close to the centre.

Address: Jarška cesta 7, Bled

Other Contact: pensiontiffany@telemach.net

Phone: +386 (0) 64 742 653

Website: http://www.tiffanybled.com/

All over Bled

a view from the Castle

Being one of the biggest Alpine holiday resorts, it's no wonder that you can find comfortable hotels of all categories, apartments and private rooms all over Bled. There's also a camping site.

Astoria-574 11 44Golf-579 20 00
Jelovica-579 60 00
Kompas-578 21 00
Krim-579 70 00
Park-579 30 00
Toplice-579 10 00
Vila Bled-579 15 00
Hotel Ribno-574 13 21

Other Contact: info@dzt.bled.si

Phone: +386 4/574 11 22

Website: http://www.bled.si

Mysterious Gorge

The natural beauty of the Vintgar Gorge was discovered by Jakob Žumer, the mayor of Gorje, and Benedikt Lergetporer, the cartographer and photographer, in February 1891.

It was opened to the public on 26 August 1893. So, you should take a really pleasant 1.6m-long walk over wooden bridges and admire the Radovna River with its waterfalls, pools and rapids.

The entrance fee's SIT 600 for adults and SIT 300 for children.

At the entrance and at the 16m-high Šum waterfall, there are cafés serving refreshments.

One picture's showing my uncle, niece and me at the waterfall. Another one is showing my sister and niece on a bridge.

Directions: 4km north-west of Bled

Blejski otok

the altar

When you come to Bled, don't miss an enjoyable ride to the Bled island with a special boat 'pletna'. There, you'll find the emblem of Gorenjska-the Church of the Assumption.

According to a legend, the temple of the ancient Slavic goddess Živa, once stood in the place of the present church.

The 1st church on the island was consecrated in 1142. In the 15th century it was rebuilt, together with a freestanding bell tower and the main altar.

The present look of the church dates from the 17th century, when it was renovated after an earthquake.

going down

The main altar with its rich gold-plated carving is from 1747 whereas the side altars of St Sebastian, St Magdalena and St Anna were made at the end of the 17th century. The central part of the altar is showing the seated Virgin Mary with Henrik II, the donor of the Bled estate, and his wife Kunigunda next to her.

The bell tower, which was built in the 15th century, has been renovated several times. The present 1 is 54m high and has 3 bells made by the bell makers from Ljubljana.

Directions: the western part of the lake