PLACE PREŠEREN (PREŠERNOV TRG)

All around Prešeren Square merge past and genius. Baroque, Art Nouveau and Secessionist, Plečnik's spirit above the waters of the Ljubljanica River dot this architectural chessboard. Maks Fabiani designed Prešeren Square, as evidenced by the two beautiful early 20th century buildings, Ura and Centromerkur. The soul of the city permeates the space with all its magic. The castle is just a glance away. Today, the square is a meeting place for young people and a must for many onlookers.

Prešeren Monument. The Slovenian poet France Prešeren (1800-1849), a national hero, was immortalized by Ivan Zajec. Scandal at the inauguration of the former Mary's Square in 1905, the naked muse made some intellectuals and clergymen turn their heads. Criticism was rife..

The magnificent Ura building (or Hauptmann house), west of the square, survived the earthquake of 1895 and was significantly redesigned by the architect Ciril Metod Koch, who together with Maks Fabiani introduced the Vienna Secession to Slovenia.

Built between 1646 and 1660, the church of the Annunciation, formerly Augustinian, belongs to the Franciscans. The high altar is by Francesco Robba. The monastery, which occupies the west wing, has a library containing 55,000 books, including a number of incunabula.

To the right of the church, Miklošičeva Cesta leads to the bus and train stations. It runs parallel to Slovenska Cesta, the city's main thoroughfare, formerly Titova Cesta.

The Centromerkur building (now Galerija Emporium), to the right of the church, was the city's first department store (1903). The Roman god of commerce Mercury, dominating the store, coexists with the romantic poet. Inside, two remarkable Art Nouveau staircases, a beautiful expression of this artistic movement which drew its inspiration from plant forms, are to be discovered.

At no. 5 of the square stands the neo-Renaissance palace of the Central Pharmacy, or Mayer palace (Mayerjeva palača).

At No. 6 Wolfova Ulica, a street west of the square, the silhouette of Julija Primic emerges from a false window frame. Prešeren's great love lived in this house and their eyes now meet for eternity.

Bordering the south side of the square, the Triple Bridge (Tromostovje), the work of the unmistakable Jože Plečnik, provides access to the old town.