Slovenia

Here you can find out some interesting facts about Slovenia with your kids, explore Slovenia on a map of Europe, and print out our collection of Slovenia flag colouring page and other flag printables.

The beautiful centre of Ljubljana, capital city of Slovenia

A Little Geography

• The Republic of Slovenia lies in Central Europe, to the south of Hungary and north of Croatia , with Italy to the west and Austria to the north.
• Slovenia has a short coastline on the Adriatic, but also enjoys the stunning Julian Alps for skiing and mountain activities.
• Slovenia’s highest mountain is called Triglav, which means "three heads". It appears on the national emblem.

A Little History

• Slovenia’s ancestors were the Slavs, who ruled this region in the 7th century CE.
• Slovenia was part of the Hapsburg Empire between the 13th and 16th centuries CE and under Austrian control until 1918. After the First World War, Slovenia became part of Yugoslavia.
• Slovenia declared itself independent from Yugoslavia in 1991 and is now part of the EU.

The Capital City, Ljubljana

• Ljubljana is the compact capital city. It is full of white buildings and has a beautiful Medieval old city centre.. It is said that Greek hero Jason founded the city when he rested here after finding the golden fleece.
• In the 20th century, new alabaster bridges and arches, modelled on Athens, were built by architect Joze Plecnik.
• The world’s oldest wooden wheel, which was made over 5,000 years ago was found here in 2003.

And Some Interesting Facts

• Postojna cave is the most visited cave in Europe. It snakes for 20 km underground and there is a train ride for visitors!

Postojna cave

• Maribor was the European Capital of Culture for 2012. The world’s oldest grapevine, called the Stara Trta, grows here. It is 400 years old!
• Are you fans of the Narnia films? You might already recognise part of Slovenia! The bridge battle scenes from the film Prince Caspian were shot in the Soca Valley because it resembled New Zealand, where other Narnia films were made.
• Lake Bled is a pristine glacial lake overlooked by Bled Castle on a rock 130 metres high. The only island in Slovenia is in the lake.

Bled Castle, overlooking Lake Bled

• Visitors to the pretty medieval port of Piran might think they were in Italy. The port exported salt and traded with Venice from 933 CE.
• Slovenia boasts the world’s longest ski jump at Planica, where the world’s first jump of over 200 metres was achieved.
• There are 50 wolves and over 450 brown bears living wild in the Slovenian countryside!
• The Carniolan honeybee is native to Slovenia and the only one to be protected in the EU. Beehives were decorated with colourful paintings of rural life.
• The kurent is a strange-looking traditional folk costume made of sheepskin, feathers and ribbons! It is worn during carnivals to ward off winter.

Men wearing kurent folk costumes in a carnival parade

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About the Slovenian Flag

The Slovenian Flag consists of red, white and blue horizontal stripes, and the Slovenian coat of arms. The coat of arms features three gold stars, white mountains representing the Alps, and  wavy blue lines representing Slovenia's easy access to the sea.

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Our Slovenia Activities