Dragon Bridge

The Dragon Bridge, adorned with its iconic dragon statues, features in some of the most recognisable images of Ljubljana. If you haven’t taken a photo next to one of these dragons, can you truly say you’ve visited the city? The four slightly fearsome, almost lifelike figures (if you believe in dragons, of course) have captured the imagination ever since the bridge was built.

Beyond their mythical appeal, the bridge is a remarkable piece of technical heritage and a fine example of Art Nouveau architecture, which flourished at the turn of the 20th century. Constructed between 1900 and 1901, it was Ljubljana’s first reinforced concrete structure and one of the largest bridges of its kind in Europe at the time.

Originally named the Jubilee Bridge of Emperor Franz Joseph I, it bears the inscription 1848–1888, marking the 40th anniversary of the Emperor’s reign.

The bridge’s structural design was prepared by Professor Josef Melan, a renowned engineer in reinforced concrete construction. It was also the first structure in Slovenia to be surfaced with asphalt.

The decorative elements—including the dragons, balustrades, concrete cladding, and once gas-powered lamps—were designed by Dalmatian architect Jurij Zaninović, a student of the celebrated Viennese architect Otto Wagner, who also mentored Ljubljana’s own Jože Plečnik.

The Dragon Bridge replaced the old wooden Butchers’ Bridge, which had stood on the site since 1819. The city authorities opted for reinforced concrete primarily for economic reasons, as it was significantly more cost-effective than stone construction at the time.