Ljubljana tram system
Encyclopedia
The tram system in Ljubljana
, the capital of Slovenia
, is a small one. It was originally built in 1901. In the post World War II era, many Yugoslav towns and cities with tram systems took out their systems, as they took up a lot of space in an era when automobiles were more important. In Ljubljana the tram's end came in 1958. In its final years the system reached length of over 21 kilometers. Soon after the last day of operation the tracks were dismantled and the cars were transferred to Osijek and Subotica
.
Almost fifty years later, at the end of 2006, a new tram line was opened. The tram is a funicular
, and goes from the Krek Square near the Ljubljana Central Market
to the Ljubljana Castle
. The tram is especially popular among tourists. It runs between the hours of 9:00 and 21:00, and the full trip lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. There are plans to build more lines in the future.
, the cost for a one-way ticket on the tram, which connects the main city marketplace to the Ljubljana Castle, is 2 euros. The idea of having a tram going to the castle dates back to 1897, when then mayor Ivan Hribar
wrote to the Austro-Hungarian
authorities asking for a tram system that would go up to the castle.
Reintroduction of an actual tram to Ljubljana is being planned, with the first line to be opened some time in 2015. When completed, the system will have been about the same length as the previous tramway system, 21–25 kilometers.
Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and its largest city. It is the centre of the City Municipality of Ljubljana. It is located in the centre of the country in the Ljubljana Basin, and is a mid-sized city of some 270,000 inhabitants...
, the capital of Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, is a small one. It was originally built in 1901. In the post World War II era, many Yugoslav towns and cities with tram systems took out their systems, as they took up a lot of space in an era when automobiles were more important. In Ljubljana the tram's end came in 1958. In its final years the system reached length of over 21 kilometers. Soon after the last day of operation the tracks were dismantled and the cars were transferred to Osijek and Subotica
Subotica
Subotica is a city and municipality in northern Serbia, in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina...
.
Almost fifty years later, at the end of 2006, a new tram line was opened. The tram is a funicular
Funicular
A funicular, also known as an inclined plane or cliff railway, is a cable railway in which a cable attached to a pair of tram-like vehicles on rails moves them up and down a steep slope; the ascending and descending vehicles counterbalance each other.-Operation:The basic principle of funicular...
, and goes from the Krek Square near the Ljubljana Central Market
Ljubljana Central Market
Ljubljana Central Market in the capital of Slovenia was designed by Jože Plečnik in 1939-41. The market building stretches between the Triple Bridge and the Dragon Bridge, following the curve of the Ljubljanica river.-History:...
to the Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana Castle is a medieval castle in Ljubljana, Slovenia. It is located on the Castle Hill overlooking the old town.- History:According to archeological surveys, the area of the present castle has been settled continuously since 1200 BC, when the first settlements and later fortifications were...
. The tram is especially popular among tourists. It runs between the hours of 9:00 and 21:00, and the full trip lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. There are plans to build more lines in the future.
, the cost for a one-way ticket on the tram, which connects the main city marketplace to the Ljubljana Castle, is 2 euros. The idea of having a tram going to the castle dates back to 1897, when then mayor Ivan Hribar
Ivan Hribar
Ivan Hribar was a Slovene and Yugoslav banker, politician, diplomat and journalist. At the turn of the century, he was one of the leaders of the National Progressive Party, and one of the most important figures of Slovene liberal nationalism...
wrote to the Austro-Hungarian
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
authorities asking for a tram system that would go up to the castle.
Reintroduction of an actual tram to Ljubljana is being planned, with the first line to be opened some time in 2015. When completed, the system will have been about the same length as the previous tramway system, 21–25 kilometers.