Ljubljana Town Hall

The Town Hall of Ljubljana, in Slovene Mestna hiša, stands on Mestni trg, in the old town on the left bank of the Ljubljanica, a few steps from the river and the Dragon Bridge and close to the market. It has been the seat of the city government for centuries and still houses the offices of the mayor and the city council, as well as spaces open to visitors. The building has a long history, with a Gothic core from the late Middle Ages and a Baroque appearance that dates from the early eighteenth century, when it was remodelled, and its present facade, with its clock tower and rows of regular windows, reflects the taste of that era.

The Baroque rebuilding was influenced by Venetian models, which was natural in a city whose trade and culture looked toward northern Italy, and it gave the building a calm, symmetrical front that anchors the square. The tower, with its clock, is one of the landmarks of the old town, visible from the river and the market. Inside, the most attractive part is the arcaded courtyard, a quiet space just off the street, with galleries on several levels, in which a fountain stands. The fountain, with its figure of Narcissus looking at his reflection, is based on a work by Francesco Robba, the sculptor from Venice who worked in Ljubljana in the eighteenth century and left some of the city's best-known monuments, including the Fountain of the Three Carniolan Rivers in front of the building. A monument to Ivan Hribar, a mayor of the early twentieth century who guided the city's reconstruction after the earthquake of 1895, stands in the courtyard.

Visitors can usually enter the building free of charge during working hours and see the exhibition halls, where temporary shows are held on subjects such as the development of the city, architecture, art and international cooperation. Historic objects, including a Gothic coat of arms and a statue of Hercules, add to the interest, and the staircase and corridors give glimpses of rooms used for council business. The building is accessible to people with limited mobility, and the visit takes an hour or less, so it fits well into a walk through the old town.

The Town Hall lies in the middle of the city's main sights. Ljubljana Castle looks down on it from the hill, the Cathedral, the Butchers' Bridge and the Dragon Bridge are a short walk away, Congress Square and Križanke lie on the other bank, and the City Museum of Ljubljana presents the history of the town in more detail. The Free Walking Tour often starts nearby. Check opening times before visiting, since the building is a working administrative office.