Prešeren Square

This lively pedestrian square is one of Ljubljana’s favorite meeting spots, so let’s take a moment to look around. At the center of it all stands the man who gave the square its name: France Prešeren, Slovenia’s national poet. And not just any poet—the country’s national anthem is one of his works, written in 1848. Called The Toast, it celebrates freedom, friendship among peoples, and the unity of nations, a remarkably forward-thinking message for its time. In 1989, as Slovenia moved toward independence, one passage was chosen as the official anthem, even before independence was formally declared in 1991. Behind the poet you’ll notice a muse holding a laurel branch. Local legend says she represents Julija Primic, Prešeren’s great love, immortalized in his verses but never returned. Set slightly apart, just out of reach, she embodies this impossible romance. In a touching detail, Prešeren’s gaze is directed toward the very house where Julija actually lived, right across the square at the corner of the street. Follow his line of sight and you’ll see the slender pastel-colored building decorated with geometric motifs: the Hauptmann House. Built in 1873, it was one of the few buildings to survive the 1895 earthquake almost intact. Later, a wealthy merchant had it renovated in the Secession style by architect Ciril Metod Koch, giving it the colorful Art Nouveau flair that still catches the eye today. And finally, dominating the square since the 17th century, with its distinctive pink facade, is the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation. Though much of what you see today comes from post-earthquake reconstruction and it remains Ljubljana’s defining Baroque landmark. Take a moment to soak up the atmosphere here before continuing the walk down the street to the right of the church.