Friday, March 27, 2015

Attractions of Škofja Loka

Old medieval town 

Škofja Loka is a small town in Upper Carniola. It is a cultural, economic, administrative and educational centre of the Municipality of Škofja Loka. It has one of the best-preserved medieval urban centres in Slovenia.



Cultural monuments

The town was proclaimed a cultural monument in 1987. It is the birthplace of the Škofja Loka Passion Play, the oldest play in Slovene. Škofja Loka has many cultural and natural attractions. Among cultural attractions are Castle of Škofja Loka, Puštal's Castle, Stone bridge, Devil's footbridge and many other.



Castle of Škofja Loka

It must have been built before the year 1202 because it was mentioned in the document from the same year. The castle was built by the bishops of Freising. The Castle was almost demolished in the big earthquake in the year 1511, but it was restored by the bishop Filip. Today is in the Castle of Škofja Loka a Museum and there are held many entertainments.



Stone or Capuchin bridge

A promenade through the old town centre begins on Stone bridge which takes you to the Upper square. The Capuchin bridge was built by bishop Leopold in the middle of the 14th century. It was built from carved stone in the semicircular form. In the year 1888 was restored and equipped with iron fence. The Stone bridge is one of the oldest monuments of its architectural kind in the Central Europe.


Puštal's Castle

It was built in year 1220 and it was inhabited by the family of Puštal's lordship. In the beginning of the 17th century the castle was passed over to the family Oblak from Gorenja vas, which was granted the noble title of barons. Today is in the Castle a Music School.


Devil's footbridge

It is a wooden footbridge in Puštal, which is a suburban locality on the right bank of the river Poljanska Sora. Under the Devil's footbridge foaming river could be seen.















Thursday, March 5, 2015

Portorož

Portorož is a coastal settlement in the Municipality of Piran in the southwestern part of Slovenia. It has been known as a health resort since the 13th century, when monks from the Monastery of Saint Lawrence treated people with brine and seawater.


Its modern development started in the late 19th century with appearance of first health resorts. In the 20th century it became one of the popular seaside resorts in Europe, along with Lido, Abbazia and Grado. Today is one of the major tourist areas.



In the centre of Portorož is located Kempinski Palace Portorož, until 2008 known as Palace Hotel, once one of the most important resorts for the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The hotel was built upon the plans of the architect Johann Eustacchio and opened on August 1910.



Economy of the place is mainly based on tourism and gaming industry. The facilities include numerous sporting facilities, a marina and several casinos, along with many hotels and apartments. In the western part of Portorož is located a popular hotel resort Bernardin.



Portorož is famous for its spa and wellness centres. Its is an ideal location for pampering and relaxation throughout the year, even during the coldest winter months. The beach is well-maintained and we can go swimming in the warm Mediterranean sea.