Ljubljanica

45°57′5″N 14°17′41″E / 45.95139°N 14.29472°E / 45.95139; 14.29472, Ljubija45°57′11″N 14°18′0″E / 45.95306°N 14.30000°E / 45.95306; 14.30000, Bistra • coordinates45°56′51″N 14°20′3″E / 45.94750°N 14.33417°E / 45.94750; 14.33417 • elevation300 m (980 ft) ^[1] Mouth Podgrad46°4′11″N 14°38′20″E / 46.06972°N 14.63889°E / 46.06972; 14.63889260 m (850 ft) ^[1]Length41 km (25 mi) (including Little Ljubljanica) ^[1]Basin size1,860 km² (720 sq mi) ^[2]Discharge  • average25 m³/s (880 cu ft/s) (at the source near Vrhnika), 55 m³/s (at the outflow in Moste) Basin featuresProgressionSava→ Danube→ Black Sea

The Ljubljanica (pronounced [ljuˈbljáːnitsa]), known in the Middle Ages as the Leybach,^[3] is a river in the southern part of the Ljubljana Basin in Slovenia. The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, lies on the river. The Ljubljanica rises south of the town of Vrhnika and flows into the Sava River about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) downstream from Ljubljana. Its largest affluent is the Mali Graben Canal.^[4] Including its source affluent the Little Ljubljanica (Slovene: Mala Ljubljanica), the river is 41 km (25 mi) in length.^[1] The Little Ljubljanica joins the Big Ljubljanica (Slovene: Velika Ljubljanica) after 1,300 m (4,300 ft) and the river continues its course as the Ljubljanica.

The Ljubljanica is the continuation of several karst rivers that flow from the Prezid Karst Field (Slovene: Prezidsko polje) to Vrhnika on the surface and underground in caves, and so the river is poetically said to have seven names (six name changes): Trbuhovica, Obrh, Stržen, Rak, Pivka, Unica, and Ljubljanica.

Archaeological significance

The Ljubljanica has become a popular site for archaeologists and treasure hunters to dive for lost relics and artifacts. Locations in the river between Ljubljana and Vrhnika have offered up pieces of history from the Stone Age to the Renaissance, belonging to a variety of groups, from local ancient cultures to more well-known groups like the Romans and the Celts.^[5] One of the more significant findings is a yew spearhead, found in 2009 in Sinja Gorica. It has been dated to about 35,000 to 45,000 before present, the Szeletian period, and supplements the scant data about the presence of Stone Age hunters in the Ljubljana Marsh area.^[6]

Exactly why the Ljubljanica became an article dumping ground is unknown, but most historians believe that it is related to how local tradition has always held the river as a sacred place. These treasures may have been offered "to the river during rites of passage, in mourning, or as thanksgiving for battles won."

The Ljubljanica has become a popular attraction in Europe for treasure hunters. This has created an ethical debate between local historians and international treasure seekers. It is believed that the river has offered up between 10,000 and 13,000 objects, of which many have been lost to the public. Many pieces have been sold into private collections, or are hidden away by the original treasure hunters. In 2003, to help curb this trend, Slovenia's national parliament declared the river a site of cultural importance and banned diving in it without a permit.

Gallery

• The Ljubljanica at Nove Fužine
• 
  Night view of the river
• 
  Reflection of houses at the Cankar Embankment
• 
  Center of Ljubljana with Annunciation Church in the background
• 
  The Ljubljanica from the Cobbler Bridge in Ljubljana
• 
  One of the springs of the Ljubljanica at Bistra Castle near Vrhnika
• 
  The Ljubljanica under the snow
• 
  Confluence of the Ljubljanica (left) with the Sava and Kamnik Bistrica

See also

• Ljubljanica Sluice Gate

References

External links

Administrative seatDistrictsEconomy and transportLandmarks

Bridges	Butchers' Bridge Cobblers' Bridge Črnuče Bridge Dragon Bridge Fabiani Bridge Fužine Bridge Grain Bridge Hradecky Bridge Jek Bridge Kavšek Bridge Ljubljanica Sluice Gate Prule Bridge Rooster Bridge St. James's Bridge St. Peter's Bridge Triple Bridge
Monuments, memorials and fountains	General Maister Monument (Brdar) Monument to the Victims of All Wars Prešeren Monument Robba Fountain Tomb of National Heroes Trail of Remembrance and Comradeship Vodnik Monument
Palaces and houses	Casino Building Cekin Mansion Central Pharmacy Courthouse Crystal Palace Government Building and President's Office Grand Hotel Union Gruber Mansion Kresija Building Ljubljana Castle Mladika Complex National Assembly Building Nebotičnik Philip Mansion Selo Mansion Souvan House Stična Mansion Tivoli Castle Town Hall Zois Mansion
Churches and places of worship	Franciscan Church Ljubljana Mosque St. Bartholomew's Church St. Florian's Church St. James's Church Ljubljana Cathedral St. Peter's Church St. Rosalia's Church (former) Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church Ursuline Church Visitation of Mary Church
Cemeteries	Navje Memorial Park Žale

Parks, ponds, squares, and streets

Parks	Argentina Park Navje Memorial Park Tivoli Park
Ponds	Koseze Pond Tivoli Pond
Squares	Congress Square Prešeren Square Republic Square Town Square Vodnik Square
Streets	Čop Street

Protected areas

Landscape parks	Ljubljana Marsh Tivoli–Rožnik–Šiška Hill Landscape Park
Nature reserves	Mostec
Natural monuments	Castle Hill Little Rožnik Pod Turnom
Designed nature monuments	Tivoli City Park Trail of Remembrance and Comradeship

Hills and valleysCulture, science, and educationSports

Events	Ljubljana Marathon
Clubs	ACH Volley HK Olimpija KD Ilirija KD Slovan KK Cedevita Olimpija KK Olimpija KK Parklji ŽKD Ježica Ljubljana Matica Alpine Club ND Ilirija 1911 ND Slovan NK Bravo NK IB 1975 Ljubljana NK Krim NK Olimpija Ljubljana NK Svoboda Ljubljana NK Šmartno RD Slovan RK Krim RK Ljubljana RK Olimpija ŽNK Olimpija Ljubljana
Venues	Bežigrad Stadium Tivoli Hall Kodeljevo Sports Park Ljubljana Hippodrome Stožice Sports Park (Stožice Stadium Arena Stožice) Tacen Whitewater Course Šiška Sports Park

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the administrative seatFormer settlementsHistory