Ljubljana is a treasure trove of cultural wonders waiting to be explored. From historic theaters to contemporary galleries, Slovenia's enchanting capital offers a rich tapestry of artistic venues and experiences that cater to every taste and curiosity. Let's dive into Ljubljana's cultural landscape, where tradition and innovation collide to create unforgettable moments of artistic immersion and take a closer look at this year's nominees for the category of Best Cultural Experience and Venue 2024.
Opera & Ballet Ljubljana
The history of opera in Slovenia dates all the way back to 1732, but the current headquarters of the National Opera and Ballet Theatre were constructed in the late 19th century. First designed in the neo-renaissance style by Czech architects, it has recently been renovated and extended, creating a controversial blend of tradition and modernity. Read more..
Ljubljana Castle
The magnificent Ljubljana Castle stands on Castle Hill, which extends in the southern part of the old town and on the site of its two predecessors. As a fortress, it was commissioned by Emperor Frederick III. Habsburg was built in the second half of the 15th century, and some parts of the buildings were added later. Originally, Ljubljana Castle also served as an occasional emperor's residence, later as a barracks, a penitentiary, and in the first half of the 20th century, it was intended as a residence for the less wealthy inhabitants of Ljubljana. Read more...
Odprta Scena
Founded in 2021 by young actress, director and indefatigable performing arts activist Tia Lončar, Odprta scena is a collective of creativity-driven individuals engaged in theatre, film and podcasts. They occupy spaces of Zavod Bob in Ljubljana, a hub of activities supporting youth as active members of society. And support Tia they do, in her insane vision that open spaces for freely developing and sharing ideas with like-minded characters do exist and do not necessarily rely on institutions to produce quality stuff for the stage and good times for the people involved. Read more...
Puppet Theatre Ljubljana
Regardless of where you come from, we can all remember being enchanting by puppets as children. Whether it was on TV or live performances, children all over the world sat (and still sit) wide-eyed and bushy-trailed as the puppet shows unravelled before their eyes. Lutkovno Gledališče, the central Slovenian puppet theatre, has been joyfully creating puppet shows since 1948. Slovenia has a proud puppet heritage, and the theatre goes a long way to preserving it. Read more...
Ljubljana City Theatre
Found in the very centre of Ljubljana, the award-winning MGL has two stages that are the temporary homes of modern, progressive dramas. Operating since the Yugoslavian era, MGL is the second largest Slovenian theatre and stages around 400 performances each season. Read more...
Kino Šiška
One of the city's most iconic cinemas reopened its doors in 2009 as an urban cultural centre featuring several state-of-the-art performance halls and exhibition spaces. Dedicated to promoting contemporary music, theatre, dance and experimental events, it already attracts big-name regional and international artists, and is scheduled to hosts around 200 events per year. Read more...
Cankarjev dom
Named after the Slovene writer and politician Ivan Cankar, its four main halls are all named after Slovene artists (Gallus, Linhart, Kosovel and Štih). It’s just a short walk from the main city square and hosts over 250 events annually, among them concerts, theatre, dance, film, exhibitions, congresses and more. Read more...
Center Rog
The Rog Center is a modern workshop for everyone who likes to create with their hands, regardless of skill and age. Nine production laboratories, which are the heart of the house, represent a place for learning and using both traditional and modern, digital technologies. Read more...
Center Rog
Slovenian Philharmonic
Ljubljana has a proud history as a town of music, and the Slovenian Philharmonic is its beating heart and soul. This delightful building was built in 1891 on the foundations of the former state theatre, which was destroyed by fire just four years earlier. The entire building was renovated in 2001, the 300th anniversary of the original philharmonic, one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the world. Read more...
Cineplexx
Cineplexx opened its doors over in Rudnik in early 2022, adding to its six existing locations across the country. The new multiplex has seven theatres and offers comfortable choice of seats ranging from standard through to the most luxurious VIP deluxe. Read more...
Return to Best of Ljubljana Culture
See all of Best of Ljubljana 2023 winners here.
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