Ljubljana Marshes

The Ljubljana Marshes, a natural area of swamps and peat bogs, is known for rare animal and plant species. Its area covers about 160 square kilometres. Due to peculiar features of marshy ground and the river bed of the Ljubljanica River, the Ljubljana Marshes have preserved artefacts from all historical periods and cultures.

In the area of the Ljubljana Marshes, the Ljubljanica riverbed is one of the most important archaeological sites in Slovenia. Archaeologists who found items from various historical periods, from prehistoric times to the present, believe that the river had a very important role. Visit the Ljubljanica River Exhibition and discover its rich heritage.

In prehistoric times, a large part of the marshes was submerged by a shallow lake with pile-dwellers living nearby. Their legacy has been preserved in the wet marshy ground. The most important among the findings, exhibited in the City Museum of Ljubljana, National Museum of Slovenia and Ljubljanica River Exhibition in Vrhnika, is the oldest wooden wheel yet discovered, dating back to 3350–3100 BC.

The Ljubljana Marshes is an ideal place for cycling on less busy roads and gravel paths offering picturesque views. The Iški Vintgar Gorge, Podpeč Lake and Pekel Gorge are among the most popular cycling destinations. For more fit cyclists, we recommend the ascent to Rakitna or Krim.

Peat bogs in the Marshes have disappeared due to parching and use of peat in recent centuries. However, some of them are still preserved in natural reserves of Goriški Mah and Mali Plac. At the Iški Morost Nature Reserve you can watch rare species of birds, or take a walk along the educational trail passing seven ponds in the Draga pri Igu valley.

About 100 different species of birds nest on the wet marshy ground, while even more of them pass by during migrations. This is also the habitat of roe deer, otters and other small wild game and 89 species of butterflies. At the Iški Morost Nature Reserve you can watch rare species of birds, such as corn crake, Eurasian curlew, common quail etc.

In spring, marsh meadows are vibrant in colours of extravagant dark red blossoms of snake's heads and yellow marsh-marigolds. Then, different colours take turn during the warm months – Scheuchzer's cottongrass, orchids, lady orchids and numerous other species.

The floods in the Ljubljana Marshes are a natural phenomenon during spring and autumn rains and in winter. The Ljubljanica River and its tributaries are filled with an enormous volume of water which cannot recede immediately. Floods offer impressive sights immortalised every year by photographers.

The Church in Črna vas in the Ljubljana Marshes is one of the most original buildings of the famous architect. Due to a marshy terrain, it stands on pylons. Since there was a lack of assets for its construction, Plečnik fully embraced the skills of local craftsmen and used recycled materials.

A small hill where the picturesque pilgrimage Church of St. Anne has been standing since 16th century offers a beautiful vista of the Ljubljana Marshes, hilly areas of the central Slovenia and the Slovenian Alps rising behind. The path to this popular photo site leads from the Podpeč Lake.