There are several little corners in Europe where myth and reality are so intertwined that the lines between them are wonderfully blurred. Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is one such place. Here dragons (or rather, the Ljubljana Dragon) play into history as much as any other sobering realities. The result is a magical, fantastical, and charming place.
Ljubljana
The area of Ljubljana was historically a marshland that has been occupied since at least 2000 BC. Interestingly, the oldest wooden wheel in history was recovered here. Around approximately 50 BC, during Roman times, the city was known as Emona. In 452, the city was sacked and destroyed by the Huns. The Slovenes settled in the area sometime around the 6th century where they remain to this day. It was under Hapsburg rule until the end of WWI and the break up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. Today, Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia, which has been part of the European Union since 2004. The city is situated along the Ljubljanica River.
The Ljubljana Coat of Arms
The Ljubljana Dragon is featured proudly across the city and serves as the city’s symbol. It is featured prominently on the coat of arms, which depicts the dragon sitting on top of Ljubljana Castle. The coat of arms graces many spot around the city, including even the manhole covers.
The Ljubljana Dragon
There are several origins of the Ljubljana Dragon. In Greek Mythology, it is believed that Jason and his Argonauts wintered here near the mouth of the Ljubljanica River. As they were sailing along, they encountered the dragon of Ljubljana living in the marshlands. Jason fought with the dragon and eventually slayed it.
A second origin relates to Saint George, who is known for the depictions of him riding a horse and slaying a great dragon with a spear. Saint George is the patron saint of the chapel in the Ljubljana Castle. When Ljubljana Castle was built, it was built on top of a sacred pagan site. In this story, the dragon represents the earlier pagan religions that existed before the bringing of Christianity being defeated by Christianity.
Dragon Bridge
Ljubljana has several main bridges that cross the Ljubljanica River. The Dragon Bridge is the most famous of these bridges. It was designed by the Dalmatian Art Nouveau artist, George Zaninović. The Dragon Bridge is often regarded as one of the most beautiful pieces from the Vienna Succession art movement. Construction was complete in 1901 and at that time, it contained the third largest bridge arch in Europe. The bridge contains four large dragon statues on pedastals that flank each end.
Virgins be warned! Local lore states that if a virgin crosses the bridge, the dragons will wag their tails, letting everyone know your business.
Where is is located?
The Dragon Bridge is located between Kopitar Street and Ressel Street crossing the Ljubljanica River in Ljubljana, Slovenia.