Slovenia, Where to Find the Fantastic Beasts

The industrialisation of Slovenia commenced under the rule of the Habsburg monarchy. When it became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, it was one of the most industrialized members. Tito, the communist leader, born in Croatia to a Croatian dad and a Slovene mum. Slovenia suffered from the temporary Ten-Day War when it declared its independence in 1991.

Lake Bled, Land of Fairies

The Bohinj glacier created a tectonic hole, and scraped a huge rock. The present island was the only thing remaining, which was surrounded by melted ice. It is believed that fairies used to dance in this meadow valley. When the youngest one broke her leg, other fairies called upon the springs and brooks to storm into the valley. Only the hill with the rock remained.

As the oldest castle in Slovenia, Bled Castle has already stood for over 1000 years. Perched atop a cliff towering 130 m above Lake Bled, its views extend across most of the Gorenjska region. Protected by steep cliffs on three sides and separated from the castle plain by a moat on the fourth, the castle has been unconquerable to enemy attackers throughout its history. 

Otočec Castle, Paradise of Creature

As the only water castle in Slovenia, it was a two-story manor with towers in the 13th century. The growing threat of Turkish invasions enforced its final fortifications and square entrance tower, with a channel on the side of the River Krka. An English-styled park surrounds it, with birds having a sunbath. Fire damaged it in WWII, and today it transformed into a hotel. 

Ljubljana, City of Dragons

Ramble around the Ljubljana Castle, which crowned a 375m high hill east of the Old Town, allows you to get closer to the mysterious beast. Greek hero Jason and his Argonaut comrades stole a golden fleece from the King of Colchis on the Black Sea. Upon their arrival, he killed the furious marsh dragon after a heroic struggle, and became the founder of Ljubljana.

Dragon Bridge lies in the north of Central Market at Vodnik Square, with four sheet copper statues greeting the pedestrians, day after day. Running south from Prešeren Square to the Old Town, Triple Bridge was expanded by the architect Jože Plečnik between 1929 and 1932. It created a unique architectural gem and is considered as part of Plečnik's enduring legacy.

Fall in love with the emerald-green river? Don’t wake the beasts. Lock it in the Butcher’s Bridge secretly. A masterpiece designed by local Jakov Brdar, intimating the Pont des Arts in Paris.