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Curious facts about Slovenia
Sarah Michelle Gellar plays a Slovenian from Ljubljana in the film version of Paulo Coelho’s “Veronika Decides To Die”. In the book Coelho describes in some detail the statue of Slovenia’s famous poet France Prešeren, and his unfulfilled love for Julija Primic. Source: IMDB
In 2007, Slovenia became the first country in the world to pass a law that limits light pollution. This affects how bright outdoor lights can be and how much light is allowed to escape upwards into
the sky.
Source: RTV SLO
During World War II there was a guarded barbed wire fence surrounding Ljubljana put up by fascist Italians to control the resistance that started to emerge in Ljubljana. It stood for 1170 days and today there’s a path which covers the same route as a memorial. Source: AskLjubljana
Slovenian Martin Strel swam the Amazon River; a total distance of 3273 miles. While he was swimming he was joined by boat escorts who distracted the flesh-eating piranhas by pouring fresh blood into the river.
Source: RTV SLO
Slovenian designer Nika Zupanc is recognised across the globe. She’s designed an exhibition pavilion for Dior and been featured in The New York Times. You can see her signature “feminine” style up close in pastry shop Lolita which sits in the heart of the Old Town in Ljubljana. Source: RTV SLO
Like in France, frog legs used to be a very popular dish in the Slovenian capital. There were vast areas of marshland nearby making it the perfect breeding ground for frogs.
Source: RTV SLO
Slovenia had the only clandestine radio station in Europe during World War II. For over a year Radio Kričač, as it was called, was broadcasting undercover and proved impossible to track down by the Fascist authorities.
Source: RTV SLO
Slovenian Davo Karničar became the first person to ski down from the summit of Mt Everest on October 7th 2000. After a month climb to the top he skied down again in just over five hours – reaching speeds of up to 75mph and narrowly missing the corpse of another climber.
Source: The Independent
Slovenia is home to the first tourist cave in Europe (and possibly the world). Vilenica cave opened its doors to the public during the 17th Century. Nowadays the two tourist caves that create the most interest are Postojna and Skocjan.
Source: RTV SLO
Maribor in northeast Slovenia is home to the oldest vine in the world at 400 years old. Despite its age it still bears grapes and makes a few hundred bottles of wine a year. This prestigious wine has been gifted to former US president Bill Clinton and Pope John Paul II.
Source: Challenge Future
6. Slovenia is home to a staggering 10250 caves. The longest of which is Postojna Cave with it 24km of passageways and even a double track railway. Over 36 million people have visited in the 200 years it’s been open to the public.
Source: Slovenia.si
There is approximately one winery for every 70 people in Slovenia which produce in excess of 80 million litres of wine a year. Approximately 75% of this is white wine, and the majority is consumed within Slovenia itself.
Source: Think Slovenia
Some of the caves in southern Slovenia are home to a strange salamander-like creature named the olm. It lives in complete darkness, it’s totally blind, and has strange pinky white skin similar to that of white people, which gives it the nickname “human fish”.
Source: Slovenia.si
Slovenia has a population of just 2.06 million people (2013 census). That’s a quarter of the number of people living in London alone!
Source: Slovenia.si
An earthquake in April 1895 brought Ljubljana to her knees. Reports said that not a single house escaped without some damage. In the 15 years that followed, more than 400 new buildings were created, most of which constructed in the art nouveau style that you see today. Source: RTV SLO
The Slovenian flag makes an appearance at the boat party in The Wolf Of Wall Street film. Scorsese, the director of The Wolf Of Wall Street, decided to use the flag as a bit of an “Easter Egg” because Slovenian actress Katarina Čas plays a small role in the film.
Source: RTV SLO
The Zois bellflower is a magnificent blue colour and can be found nowhere else on earth except Slovenia. The flower’s narrow mouth make it difficult for bees and insects to enter, so they result in piercing the petals to get to the nectar instead.
Source: RTV SLO
Part of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian was filmed in northwest Slovenia. The stunning turquoise Soča River makes an appearance alongside other filming locations in Prague and New Zealand.
Source: movie-locations.com