ARTE Distribution

The diversity and richness of Slovenia are perfectly represented at the central market of Ljubljana: bakeries, family dairies and meat stalls offering the Carniola sausage or the Kraški pršut, a delicious, unique ham can be found on the lower level of a seminary building. Two great open spaces host the fresh fruit and vegetable stalls while on the long water-edge colonnade there is the fish market with lake water fish as well as seafood coming from the Adriatic coast, only an hour and a half away. Urban honey and freshly harvested salt also give a unique touch to this beautiful city market.

Ljubljana is a medieval city with a strong Baroque influence. Its central market area, just across the Ljubljanica river, spreads across two open lots, running alongside the cathedral and a seminary building. A colonnade hinting at ancient Greece closes the area along the river and hosts the fish market and various cafès. Designed by Jože Plečnik in the 1930ies, reflecting Renaissance influences, it is a Slovenian national heritage and one of the most interesting complexes dedicated to a food market in Europe. Here one can buy cherries coming from the hilly region bordering Italy or the elder fruit syrup coming from the forests at the foot of the Alps. Cured meat products, fresh meat, and the famous Kranjska klobasa or Carniola sausage are on display. In the same section of the market, home-made bread baked in a wood oven, biscuits and pastries and various kinds of local cheese are on offer showing how this small country and its capital have developed into a gourmet centre. It is also one of the greenest cities in Europe and a country with the lowest economic disequality in the world, according to the world bank. A bee path crosses the town of Ljubljana and on over 800 roofs there are hives producing refined and delicate honey. This is on sale at the market whilst the salt coming from the Adriatic coast pans and harvested with methods dating back 700 years is on offer close to the market. From the Hungarian border then comes a multilayered dessert, a treat no one can resist and best eaten when sitting at the cafè facing the Plac, as the market is called by the locals.