The Ljubljana ZOO
The Ljubljana ZOO is neither one of the oldest nor the biggest ZOOs. Nonetheless, it does stand as a popular tourist spot in Ljubljana. Its beginnings dates back to the period after the Second World War when animal cages were placed in the centre of Ljubljana. In 1951, the city's authorities found a more suitable location on the south-western part of the Rožnik Hill. This was also the period when the ZOO began to develop at a faster pace until it reached its milestone in 1988 when it started to evolve into a modern ZOO with the emphasis on almost natural living conditions for the animals, as well as on ecology and coexistence of animate and inanimate nature.
The offer is inventively expanded on a regular basis through constant introduction of new products for visitors, especially the youngest ones.
Today, it can be concluded that the course of development was appropriate, as the animals now "live" in a suitable environment, and visitors are content and happy to return, which is also proven by more than 200,000 visitors per year.
The Mostec recreational park
The idyllic environment of the forest in the valley of the Mostec brook beneath Mali Rožnik is a perfect location for spending free time in tranquillity. The adequacy of the location was discovered at the beginning of the previous century when local residents dammed the brook and thus set up a place suitable for "kneipping" that was widely popular at the time.
The recreational character of Mostec has been preserved to the present day. In 1962, the predecessor of what is now known as the Mostec recreational association took the initiative and gradually gave the space the appearance that we now know. The association has its space in the only building in Mostec. Residents of Ljubljana like returning to Mostec where they can enjoy nature and the occasional social events, all of which keep potential boredom away from the area.
The Mostec trim trail
The trail is 520 m long and comprises 15 devices. The trail is illuminated making it possible to jog and exercise even in late evening hours. The trim trail was completed in October 2012, replacing the former trail that had to give way as a result of unsettled ownership relations.
The Mali Rožnik protected natural site
This is a marsh area and an important habitat for rare animal and plant species. These mostly include amphibians, dragonflies and plants demanding a moist, swamp area for their growth. A peat swamp has developed in the lower part of the marsh.
Boljka's statues of animals at the Ljubljana ZOO
The renowned Slovenian sculptor, painter and graphic artist Janez Boljka designed several bronze statues of animals in his creative opus. Thus, the Ljubljana ZOO is now home to six of his sculptures: a rhinoceros, a monkey family, a bison, a wolf, an elephant, and a bull reigning over the entrance to the ZOO, which is also a popular spot among the younger visitors to the park, as they enjoy climbing up and sitting on its back.
The Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, the Faculty of Computer and Information Science, and the National Institute of Biology
The faculties have found their adequate place next to the regional park. The view over the new buildings at the end of the access road reveals an example of good spatial positioning.
Koseze Pond
Koseze Pond, also known as Koseze Lake, is a smaller lake on the western side of Šišenski hrib Hill and the settlement of Mostec. The pond is not wider than 100 m and not longer than 200 m. The present depth is supposedly 2 to 3 m (the lowest point used to be 11 m deep), which is a result of silt deposits from the Mostec Stream. The lake emerged after the abandonment of a clay pit in the 1960s when the nearby Mostec Stream was directed into it. During the operation of the Agrostroj Factory, the pond was quite polluted, because the factory tested its pumps for irrigation plants in it. The lake and its surroundings were left to natural processes over the years. It was in 2000 that the Municipality of Ljubljana opened an invitation to a public call for landscape arrangement of the pond area which was arranged according to the winning tender. Although the pond is well-frequented recreational sports area, it is not used for swimming due to poor quality of water (huge amounts of silt). Nevertheless, fishing, races with small model motor boats and ice-skating are popular activities on the pond.
Path of Remembrance and Comradeship (PST, or nowadays POT)
After the war, the memories were still very fresh and painful, and the Ljubljana citizens started removing the hated fence, filling up the trenches and demolishing the bunkers. The last bunker was demolished in spring of 1946. The strongholds started being used either as apartments or warehouses.
When the first Slovenian Festival of Physical Culture was organised in 1957, the district committees of NOB League of Combatants suggested to organise a partisan hike along the wire of the former-occupied Ljubljana as a part of the festival. The first hike took place on 23 June 1957.
The first arrangements and markings of the route began already in 1959 with the erection of the first monuments. In 1972, the arrangement of sandy paths with tree-lined allies was planned. The entire arrangement of the POT ended in 1985, when it was formally opened on 9 May and handed over to the citizens of Ljubljana.
Nowadays, the sandy POT measures 33 km and mostly runs along the original route of the wired fence.