Did you ever have a desire to experience the thrill of a battle, the kind Roman and other ancient civilizations engaged in? Or maybe, just to see gladiators wrestle against each other? Oh, you are not the violent type? Maybe you just wanted a dose of ancient architecture or wanted to wander around in an ancient market?
Don’t fret if you were born a few centuries too late. You can still get a taste of ancient life complete with battles, slave trades, crafts, markets and much more.
On the 22nd of this month, Ljubljana (pronounced Lubliana), the Capital of Slovenia, celebrated two thousand years of Emona, a Roman city that stood on the site of modern day Ljubljana.
Emona was an important city of the old Roman Empire. Writings engraved in stone, from the year 14, show that Caesar Augustus and Tiberius gave large donations to the city.
After all Augustus approached the Balkans from here. But unlike many other historical cities, you have more options than just reading about it. The three day exhibition showcased different aspects of the Roman life.
You could, for instance, legally witness a slave auction, take workshops on sword and jewellery making, wander in ancient craft markets, see a re-enactment of the battle between the Romans and the barbarians, cheer the gladiators while they fight, celebrate at a Roman wedding, compete in catapult shooting, listen to really old music or maybe even try out some ancient food.
Exhibitions apart, the Roman influences can still be seen, perhaps more now than before. Ljubljana has made a concerted effort to restore the old city for centuries. There is evidence that the 17th century city planners were already looking to history for some of their designs. The 19th and 20th centuries saw several architectural renovations and modern day Ljubljana proudly boasts of the Gubbio architectural award that it got for its efforts in restoring the Congress Square.
You can see the Roman wall, the Emona house and The Early Christianity Center, all renovated to their previous glory. While you are sightseeing, don’t miss the medieval castle that is protected by the dragon.
The best thing however is that Ljubljana isn't just a reminder of the old; it is the blend of the old and the new. It is a harmonious mélange of Baroque, Art Nouveau and modern styles of architecture.
On the one hand you have old cobbled roads; on the other hand you have a metropolis with markets, restaurants and plenty of street food options. While historical re-enactments are common, modern fairs and concerts aren’t rare either. It is perhaps for this reason that Lonely Planet travel guide lists Ljubljana as one of the top cities to visit in Europe. In case you are interested, you can learn more at http://www.visitljubljana.com/en/
