Ljubljansko barje / Ljubljana Marshes

Description

Ljubljana Marshes is a 160 square kilometre wetland area stretching along the southern and south-eastern part of the Ljubljana Basin, between the settlements of Škofljica, Ig, Podpeč, Borovnica, Vrhnika, Drenov Grič and Brezovica. The area's numerous wetlands and peat bogs, which formed due to tectonic plate movement, faulting processes and alluvial deposits, provide home to numerous rare and interesting plants and animals, particularly bird and game species.

One of the area's greatest cultural attractions and its most beautiful architectural monument is the Church of St. Michael (Cerkev sv. Mihaela) near the village of Črna vas (Black Village), named after the area's black marsh soil. The Church was built between 1937 and 1938 to a design by the architect Jože Plečnik. Due to the marsh soil's low bearing capacity, it is supported by around 350 eight-metre-long piles. Its interior is decorated in a highly original style reflecting Plečnik's keen sense for folk architecture. Interior furnishings include a number of peculiarities such as a cupboard-shaped altar and a wall clock.

Ljubljana Marshes are the site of the earliest traces of a settlement in the Ljubljana area, believed to date back to the Middle Stone Age (around 5000 BC). The Marshes' latest known lake dwelling is believed to have survived until the Bronze Age (around 1000 BC). The finds from Ljubljana Marshes include over 10,000 artefacts, kept at various museums in Ljubljana and outside the country. The most important of them is the world's oldest wooden wheel, dating from 3350 to 3100 BC.

More information is available at Društvo za Ljubljansko barje society, Ižanska 305,  +386 (0)41 806 525, info@ljubljanskobarje.si