Ljubljana (German Laibach), city in central Slovenia, capital of the country, on the Ljubljanica River, near Trieste, Italy, on an ancient East-West trade route. Ljubljana is an important road and rail hub linking central Europe to the Adriatic Sea. The city's proximity to the Ljubljana Gap has allowed whomever ruled the city to control passage across the Alps, giving the city advantages in military and trade. Today Ljubljana is a manufacturing center producing porcelain, paper, furniture, soap, chemicals, and leather. Tourism has grown in economic importance, with visitors streaming in to enjoy the scenic locale, historic monuments, and distinguished architecture. Among the educational institutions is the University of Ljubljana (1595).
The ancient part of Ljubljana is dominated by the 12th-century Ljubljana castle, which was built on a small forested hill that rises abruptly from the river plain. When a massive earthquake shook the city in 1895, the castle remained largely intact while most of the city was leveled. The majority of the buildings in modern Ljubljana, with their distinctive red-tiled roofs, date to the reconstruction that was necessary after the earthquake. Most of this urban renewal occurred along the banks of the Ljubljanica River, which flows through the heart of the city. The river is spanned by a series of bridges, including the monumental Three Bridges located next to Prešeren Square.
