Why on earth would you abandon the crowds at Prešeren Square and walk for about 15 minutes, downstream, to check out a sluice gate? Because it’s a surprising, overly-decorated, and playful early twentieth-century feature of architecture. Here you can quickly soak up some sun. Just bring a drink, a snack, a book (reading and snacking are inseparable), and loosen up.

One could interpret this protected monument as a dignified farewell to the river that unassailably leaves the city center. With some imagination, you could say that this is Ljubljana’s triumphal arch. When you look closely, you will notice how the mechanism, which controls the depth of the river, is hidden underneath the water surface. Initially, this gate was designed to serve as a footbridge too. However, this plan never came to fruition. Make sure to guide your focus to the delightful details, a smorgasbord of symbols, which were thrown together by one of Ljubljana’s genius residents, the beloved architect, Jože Plečnik.

Relax, recharge your batteries, and observe how daily life in Ljubljana slowly reveals itself before you head back out to the bustling city center. This is definitely a spot where I like to chillax when the city is basking in blissful rays of sunlight and feels a bit overcrowded. Take some time to sit down on a bench. Listen to the sound of the water that forcefully flows over the concealed partition. As she diffuses a refreshing mist in the air, the Ljubljanica will put a spell on you.