Presernov trg (Preseren Square), Ljubljana (must see)

The spacious square before the Triple Bridge is like the beating heart of the city – a bustling meeting spot for both tourists and locals, perfect for snapping photos and soaking in the tunes of street musicians. But it's more than just a tourist hotspot; it holds a special significance as the spiritual nucleus of Ljubljana, named after France Prešeren, hailed as Slovenia's greatest poet. Prešeren, whose life spanned from 1800 to 1849, wrote in both German and Slovenian, but it was his Slovenian works, particularly his "Poezije" (Poems) published in 1847, that earned him the title of national poet and spiritual father of Slovenian national consciousness.

In the latter half of the 19th century, Slovenes became the majority in the city's population, gradually shifting the dominance from German to Slovenian. To celebrate this newfound or rekindled Slovenian identity, a bronze monument to Prešeren was erected here in 1905, with the muse of poetry holding a laurel branch above him. A bronze scale model of Ljubljana was installed nearby in 1991.

As you gaze across the pedestrian-friendly square, your eyes are treated to a blend of architectural marvels – from the baroque Church of the Annunciation to the grand buildings reflecting the style of the Vienna Secession. While these structures stand as the cornerstones of Ljubljana's rich history, they also hint at the city's future aspirations, as it vies for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2025.