Another unavoidable tourist attraction is located in the center of Ljubljana - Metelkova mesto. This colorful charming and likable corner will take you to the most beautiful Ljubljana fairy tale. Colorful facades, graffiti, paintings, decorations make it so special. You will have the impression that you are among some enchanted buildings. On an area of 12.500 km² there are colorful Graševina, Alcatraz Gallery, Gromka Club, Trg brez zgodovinskega spomena, Škratova Reading Room, Monokel Club, Tiffany Club and art studios and various workshops.
History of origin: The former military barracks in Ljubljana were occupied by artists and intellectuals with the goal of creating an autonomous center. The idea for that emerged in the 1980s. In 1991, the JNA left Slovenia, allowing activists to negotiate with the government. Considering that some buildings began collapsing in 1993, young activists took the opportunity to take over the barracks. They received support from citizens, intellectuals, artists and celebrities. A number of citizens and Slovenian right-wing politicians protested against this idea. The city government didn’t provide support and they cut off the water and electricity to make it difficult for the activists. Some left the barracks, but the most persistent continued to organize cultural events. They managed when it came to water and electricity, they brought water in canisters and used generators.
Today, this is a place where music bands practice, painters and sculptors turn their artistic ideas into work, and there are theater and concert spaces, several bars, a gay club, a women's counseling center and galleries within it. This is a place for all those who do not have space for their creative work, where you can meet excellent artists and amateurs.
Over 60 events are held monthly in Metelkova mesto. From the infamous houses, which were the target of demolition, a cultural center emerged that is popular in whole Europe.
Author of the article:
Bojana Pantić - our correspondent for the city of Ljubljana
photo credit:Dunja Wedam
