Of the dozens of bridges that cross the Ljubljanica River as it winds its way through the heart of Slovenia's capital, four in particular are noteworthy.
The Triple Bridge wasn't always a triple bridge. A stone arch bridge connected the two sides but became too congested with horses and people over time. In 1929, Jože Plečnik, a Slovenian architect responsible for much of the city's design, added a pedestrian bridge on either side of the original bridge. The entire area has since become pedestrian only.
Heading east, the next bridge is the Butcher's Bridge. This is among the newer bridges in the city and features several delightfully grotesque sculptures and a few chopped off fish heads for good measure. The bridge is glass for about 5 feet on both sides, allowing pedestrians to see the river pass below their feet and also giving a unique view to those who work at the dock underneath the bridge! A modern tradition in European cities like Helsinki and Riga, couples snap shut a lock engraved with their names on the bridge and throw the key into the river.
Continuing away from the center is the Dragon Bridge. In fact it was intended to celebrate 40 years under ruler Franz Joseph I, but was renamed Dragon Bridge less than 20 years after its completion. It was the first reinforced concrete bridge in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, so that just in case it collapsed, Vienna's citizens would be spared.
South of the Triple Bridge is the Cobbler's Bridge, another of Plečnik's creations. Various bridges have stood here since the 13th century when the king apparently paid to have a butcher's shop relocated further away and cobblers moved in.
