Tivoli Park is the biggest and most beautiful park of the city Ljubljana. Park covers an area of 5 km2, it was designed for walking, running, admiration of nature and relaxing in beautiful environment, all in the centre of the city. It is a part of the landscape park, which includes Šišenski hill and Rožnik. Together they form an area that covers 509ha. Park was designed on the basis of parks, which were once surrounding the Cekin mansion and castle Podturn.

The Park can be divided on three major tree-lined alleys, planted with chestnuts. In the park we can see several fountains and different sculptures. On the edge of the park is a small pond, along which you can find a small botanical park with a greenhouse. This part was renovated in year 1994, they also renewed the kids playground, which represents a true paradise for children.

A part of the park is named The Jakopič promenade, which starts at the underpass with Tivolska cesta and ends under the Tivoli castle. The Promenade was named after the Slovenian impressionist painter Rihard Jakopič. Castle Tivoli itself is located at the foot of the Rožnik hill, in front of it we can admire the pool with a fountain and a stairway with the famous cast iron sculptures of dogs without tongues. For more relaxed and organised walk, you can go on Jesenkova didactic path, which starts behind the castle.

HISTORY

Tivoli was designed by the French engineer Jean Blanchard in year 1813, in times when Ljubljana was a capital of the French Illyrian provinces. Austrian governor Latterman continued the work of Blanchard, as in the park he designed basic framework of footpaths and edited the avenue, which at first was decorated by poplars, later with chestnuts. In year 1850 the railway was built, so the avenue, which connected Tivoli with with the city, was cut off. After the earthquake in year 1895 the architect Fabian was an advisor when editing the park. Švicarija was designed by architect Koch, icehouse by architect Jager. A century later, during the year 1921 and 1939, Jože Plečnik added his stamp, with designing the Jakopičevo promenade.

Latterman’s chestnut tree avenue was reorganized, in year 1933, after Plečnik plans. The cheestnut trees were removed to make room for a wide sandy walking path with benches and lamps. Due to that, Plečnik and city authorities were criticised, as the bourgeoisies were accustomed to the walks in the shadows of the chestnut trees, but later they accepted the new look.

Park has undergone also other changes, such as construction of the pool Ilirija, summer cinema under the mansion Tivoli, they connected the forest path from the slope of Rožnik. According to the plans of E. Ravnikar the Modern gallery was built at the entrance to the park. The Park was also connected with the Zoo and Mostec with sandy paths through Šišenski hill.

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Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital and largest city of Slovenia. It is geographical, political, scientific, economic, administrative and cultural center of Slovenian nation and most important economic center. It was at the crossroads of Germanic, Romance and Slavic people, their languages, customs and traditions. [_Read more_]