The square of meetings, songs and city events. A square where every romantic soul will recognize its significance - Preseren Square! We are used to seeing monuments to heroes from certain periods of history on the squares, and there is a monument to the poet France Preseren on the main square in Ljubljana, after whom the square was named. The poet wrote his works mainly in the Slovenian language and is considered a poet of European romance. A verse from his Wreath of Sonnets says: “These tear-stained flowers of a poet's mind, culled from my bosom, lay it wholly bare; My heart's a garden: Love is sowing there; Sad elegies each with my longing signed.
The square originated as a medieval crossroads, surrounded by walls. A Franciscan church dedicated to Mary was built in the 17th century, and the square was named Mary's Square then, and the appearance it got then is still the same today. The city walls and gates were demolished. Some old houses were destroyed after the earthquake in 1895, so a magnificent baroque palace was built.
The monument to Preseren was unveiled in the fall of 1905, and is the work of architect Max Fabiani and sculptor Ivan Zajc. Above Preseren is his muse of poetry holding a laurel branch. There is a statue of Julia Primic which looks at him symbolically In Wolfova Street, which is nearby. The statue of Preseren's love. It will seem to you that the square is woven of emotions!
Author of the article:
Bojana Pantić - our correspondent for the city of Ljubljana
photo credit: Janez Zalaznik
