Last updated on April 18th, 2022
Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a sovereign state located in southern Central Europe. It has an area of 20,273 square km. Ljubljana is its capital and largest city. Slovene is the official language of the country. Euro (€) (EUR) is its official currency. Though being small, it is a natural bio-diverse nation with plenty of tourist attractions. With a narrow coastline, it shares its land borders with four countries – Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and Italy. It is mostly a mountainous country.
With these 53 interesting facts about Slovenia, let’s learn about its history, culture, economy, famous tourist attractions and more.
Historical Facts
Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a sovereign state located in southern Central Europe. It has an area of 20,273 square km. Ljubljana is its capital and largest city. Slovene is the official language of the country. Euro (€) (EUR) is its official currency. It has four land bordering countries that are Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and Italy.
1. Slovenia’s War of Independence in 1991, also known as the Ten-Day War claimed 76 lives. It was also the first war in Europe since World War II.
2. In 1995, archaeologists dug up the Divje Babe Flute, which is a flute made of the femur of a bear. Yes, that’s how passionate the early Slovenians were for music. It is believed to be 55,000 years old.
3. Though Slovenia was a monarchy, the first free election in Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia) was held in 1925.
4. Everyone was happy with the 1925 elections, except the king who staged a coup to re-establish his reign. Known as 6 January coup, it resulted in, King Alexander I’s assassination two years later.
5. Slovenia represented a major part of the greater Yugoslavia. A political volcano for both the US and USSR, it was a hotspot of spying and backchannel diplomacy during the cold war era.
6. Slovenians are very passionate about politics. The president of the Croatian People’s Peasant Party, Stjepan Radić was assassinated right in the middle of the country’s parliament.
7. Slovenia is the only modern-day European country that was occupied by both Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. But still, Slovenia had seen worse.
8. In 1990, Slovenia established democracy for the first time since World War I.
9. Slovenia had to face the wrath of the Yugoslavian military during its independence from Yugoslavia. The short 10 days war escalated quickly to engulf the whole Balkan region into a war frenzy.
10. The first country to recognize Slovenia as a country was Croatia. Incidentally, the first country to recognize Croatia itself as a country was Slovenia.
11. The oldest wheel ever excavated, Ljubljana Marshes Wheel belongs to Slovenia. Radiocarbon dating shows it to be 5000+ years old.
Flag of Slovenia
Cultural Facts
12. The pen is mightier than the sword. In 1887, a group of liberal-minded people forced the Communist leadership of the country to adopt democracy, through just one article published by the Nova revija, a popular newspaper.
13. Nova revija is more than just an institution; it is a vehicle of change. It represents the free will of the people and has a special place in the Slovene hearts and contemporary culture.
14. Hayracks are a unique cultural symbol of Slovenia and the country is also known as the Land of Hayracks. Farmers are very proud of their hayracks, so never ever mess with the hack rays in Slovenia.
15. The linden tree is a symbol for the Slovenian people. The tree can survive centuries and it represents love, friendship, and loyalty in Slovenia.
16. The oldest linden tree is in Slovenia is actually older than Modern Europe itself. The Najevnik Linden tree in the Slovenia’s Koroška region is 700 years old and has a circumference of 10 meters (over 30 feet).
17. Local lore has it that the Najevnik Linden tree was planted by Turks atop a massive loot of treasure, so they can collect it later.
18. Slovenia is famous for its own patented brand of beautiful white show horses. 425 years old Lipica Horse farm, located in Slovenia breeds its own unique white horse that’s found nowhere else.
19. Imagine your wedding in a prehistoric church, where once the Slavic goddess of love Ziva herself got married. Add to that the charm of an isolated island and what you get is the Bled Church of the Assumption, in Slovenia. The only catch is the groom has to carry the bride 99 steps up into the church.
20. A potica a day keeps the sadness away. A Slovenian loves his potica, which is a very popular pastry in Slovenia.
21. Tourism in Slovenia is fuelled by unique and offbeat places. Numerous hidden caves, beautiful forest canopy, an awesome network of waterways and adventurous people make it’s a major tourist puller of Europe.
22. Tourism in the country grew by a whopping 65% in 2012.
Interesting facts about Ljubljana
23. Ljubljana is pronounced lub-lee-yana.
24. The country’s capital city’s (Ljubljana) name translates as “the loved one”.
25. Ljubljana is the center of Slovenia.
26. There are 12 museums in the city and they are close to each other. Thus you could visit them all in one day and still have ample time to do other things.
27. Ljubljana is the European Green Capital of the world for 2016.
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