

Gordon: We are spending a couple of nights in our second capital city of this pilgrimage: Ljubljana. It’s hard not to like, particularly as we are staying in a palace. No, really, it is an upper suite in a palace built for a count in 1755. Of course it’s not cheap, but as in all European capitals, nothing is. In fact, it was only about 50 percent more expensive than a couple of bunks in a hostel. I don’t know how young people can afford to travel in Europe in the post-Covid era.
Ljubljana has a population of about 280,000, so it is roughly comparable to Greater Victoria. (The entire country only has about 2.1 M people.) The historic core is so small you can walk across it in 10 minutes. But there is a lot of charm packed into that small area. The Ljubljanica River is only about 25 metres wide, but it is crossed by innumerable bridges and lined with attractive cafes. This is Europe, so of course the historic district is dominated by a castle on the hill.
Ljubljana has existed as a city since the Roman era, but a series of severe earthquakes have levelled it, so many of the notable buildings are Vienna Succession, from around the turn of the 20th century. Not at all a bad thing.
We dropped into the pilgrim office adjacent to the Svetnik Jakoba (Santiago) church this morning. Once again we felt a little like rock stars, with a round of photos with the volunteers at the office, as well as another pilgrim. Other than the two friends that joined us for a few days in Hungary, Simone was the first pilgrim we have met on this Camino.











Wonderful photos. Looks very enticing!
Did you use a drone for this first two photos? Or is that the view from your room?
Never leave home without your drone. And lovely bright pictures. Is that a marmot?
The muskrat-like animal is a nutria. They are introduced and about to be culled in Ljubljana. I saw several in the river, including one monster the size of a beaver.
Glad you like the pictures. It’s easy in such a pretty city. The overhead shots are taken from the castle, and the picture of the castle is taken from the window of our room. In the fourth to last photo a tiny Ruth is waving from the window of our not so humble accommodation.
Your writing is so pleasant to read, both informatove and personal. Buen Camino, my Friends!
* informative – sorry for a typo