Špica

Špica is a small park at the point where the Gradaščica stream joins the Ljubljanica river, a short walk south of the old centre of Ljubljana. The name means point or tip in Slovene, and it describes the shape of the land, a narrow spit that runs between the waters. For decades it was the unofficial beach of the city, where people came in summer to sit on the grass, swim in the river when it was cleaner than it is now, and drink coffee in the open air. Today, the area has been reorganised as a pleasant waterfront, with lawns, benches and a view of the river, and it remains a favourite place for residents to relax on a warm evening.

The park's most noticeable feature is the footbridge named after Franc Hladnik, an early nineteenth-century botanist who directed the city's botanic garden, which connects Špica with the garden on the opposite bank. The slender modern bridge, opened in 2009, carries walkers and cyclists across the Ljubljanica, and it is a short and attractive route between the park and one of the greenest places in the city. The botanic garden, established in the early nineteenth century, is among the oldest in south-eastern Europe and holds a large collection of plant species, making it a natural continuation of a stroll along the river.

The area also has a character of its own, thanks to its history. Next to the park stands Cukrarna, the former sugar refinery, a large nineteenth-century industrial building that has been converted into a gallery and cultural centre, and around it the neighbourhood of Trnovo, with its quiet streets, church and Plečnik's Trnovo Bridge, has a village feel only a short distance from the busiest streets of the capital. The river here is calm and green, with ducks and swans, and willows hanging over the water. In the evening, locals gather on the grass with drinks, and a cafe by the water keeps the atmosphere relaxed.

Špica makes a good starting or ending point for a walk. Upstream, the Ljubljanica leads to the Butchers' Bridge, the Dragon Bridge, Congress Square, Križanke and the Cathedral, all within a short walk, and Ljubljana Castle looks down on the old town. The park is free and open all day, and the best time to visit is late afternoon in summer or on a sunny weekend in spring. Bring a blanket and enjoy the quieter side of the capital.