Tjaša Janovljak

My name is Tjaša, which is – surprisingly – only found in Slovenia. I was born in Ljubljana, where I have lived for most of my life. Even without moving, I have changed two countries and three currencies.

But that is nothing compared to my grandmother. I am addicted to travelling, either for a weekend to a neighbouring town or half a year in Central America. Yes, please. As a true Ljubljana citizen I focus mainly on tours in our lovely capital. I offer regular tours and many themed tours.

Special features and special knowledge:

Licensed local tourist guide for Ljubljana and surroundings

Licensed tourist guide in National Gallery of Slovenia, National Museum of Slovenia and Plečnik’s House Museum.

Experiences:

1. See the best of Ljubljana with »Ljubljančanka«

Enjoy Ljubljana with »Ljubljana born guide.«

Choose a 2, 3 or 4 hour tour and on our walk we’ll see the most important sights in the old city centre and some hidden corners only a few get to know. If we have more hours we can cover some remains of the Roman part of the centre, see some (beautiful!) modernist architecture, get to know some examples from the communist era with parliament and/or last but not least we can even walk to Metelkova, an alternative subculture centre.

2. The Deadly Walk

Explore beautiful Garden of All Saints and Ljubljana Cemetery.

Let’s stroll through park-like cemetery, full of history and art. Cemeteries are great for understanding the history of country & city and they are great to see a lot of art. Ljubljana's cemetery, called Žale, is a remarkable piece of work, with some special tombs and tombstones. We will see the Jewish Cemetery, some military cemeteries and The Memorial Park dedicated to National Liberation Front with some amazing statues by famous Slovenian sculptors. But first, the one and only, The Garden of All Saints, spectacular architect Plečnik's work. Do not complain if it will leave you speechless, Jože Plečnik did an amazing job. Of course we will visit his grave and his family tomb as well since he designed it himself.

3. Plečnik's pyramids

Get to know life and work of the most important Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik.

Comprehend Ljubljana as seen by the great architect and learn how he managed to create Slovenian capital from a small provincial town. Did you know that Plečnik saw Ljubljana as the new Athens; acropolis, necropolis, stoa, agora, library, temple, gymnasium ... Did he manage to build everything? Have you ever marvelled at the multitude of original lamps? And what do the pyramids mean?

4. Green Ljubljana - Tivoli Park (#ilovit)

Let’s relax and enjoy the central Ljubljana Park named Tivoli.

They say you didn’t visit New York if you didn’t walk through its Central Park and I claim the same for Ljubljana’s Tivoli Park. Protected as a Tivoli, Rožnik and Šiška Hill Landscape Park it is situated in the centre of the city and it is probably the most visited landscape park in the country. People from Ljubljana adore this green heaven as it offers many possibilities to make every day more enjoyable: quiet, fresh air, a place for exercise and more. There is a pond, a phenological park, rose garden, beehives and a greenhouse. There are two palaces, two former hotels, and many statues and fountains. Did you know that the only place where you can legally feed birds and squirrels is in Tičistan, a special part of Tivoli?

5. Ljubljana rocks!

Explore “Best of Ljubljana” with a geological twist as many of most famous attractions have hidden geological story to tell.

Over the centuries, the inhabitants of the city have used various stones for construction and decoration. Hear stories about Ljubljana's sights and find out what they are made of. Why do we say that the most famous statue in Ljubljana, the Prešeren Monument, represents the structure of the Earth's crust? Why is the City Hall a museum of Slovenian stone? Have you noticed a huge red fossil looking at you from one of the palace facades? Have you heard the story about the indigenous greenish stone called “čizlakit” that is only found in Slovenia? How about the famous “Podpečan” used since the Romans and adored by Jože Plečnik, the most famous Slovenian architect?

6. Ave Roman Emona!

The Romans are a good excuse to see a less well-known part of the centre.

The story of the Roman town starts around year zero and lasts until the fall of the western Roman empire, but stories, findings, ruins, legends, believes… live on. While searching for those, we will explore the less visited part of Ljubljana's centre. The tour takes place outside the medieval part of Ljubljana, in a part that was actually built in close relation to the Roman Emona. Even if it was built in the seventies in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

7.  Brief introduction to the National Gallery of Slovenia

Explore Slovenian art in a permanent collection at the National Gallery of Slovenia.

The National Gallery of Slovenia is the main art museum in Slovenia, containing the largest visual arts collection from the late medieval period to the 20th century. Expect some intriguing frescoes rescued from ancient church walls and detailed Biedermaier landscape art, which is idyllic and descriptive and shows many tourist destinations. Meet very successful painter Franc Kavčič, Zoran Mušič and the most successful of all Slovenian painters, Ms. Ivana Kobilca. We’ll look into some paintings from probably the most famous period in painting, that is, Slovenian Impressionism, and its 4 most prominent painters. However, the first thing to notice when entering the gallery is the original Robba fountain, the most important baroque statue, whose copy stands in front of the Town Hall.