Ljubljana Marsh facts for kids
The Ljubljana Marsh (Slovene: Ljubljansko barje) is the largest marsh in Slovenia. It is located just south of Ljubljana, the capital city. This huge wetland covers about 163 square kilometers, which is almost 1% of Slovenia's total area! Several local areas, called municipalities, help manage it. These include Borovnica, Brezovica, Ljubljana, Ig, Log-Dragomer, Škofljica, and Vrhnika.
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Amazing Nature: Plants and Animals
The Ljubljana Marsh is a very special place because it has so many different kinds of plants and animals. Since 2008, most of the marsh, about 135 square kilometers, has been protected as a landscape park. This means it's a special area where nature is kept safe. Even before that, the most important parts were already protected as nature reserves and natural monuments.
A Look Back in Time: Marsh History
The Ljubljana Marsh was home to people a very long time ago, even before history was written down! Back then, it was a shallow lake. Scientists have found amazing things here, like ancient homes built on stilts and even the oldest wooden wheel in the world! These discoveries tell us a lot about how people lived thousands of years ago. Since 2011, the area with the pile dwellings near Ig has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it's considered very important for everyone in the world to protect.
The first road across the marsh was built between 1825 and 1827. It connected Ljubljana to a place called Studenec (which is now Ig). Important leaders like Mayor Johann Nepomuk Hradeczky helped make this road happen. Even Emperor Francis I of Austria and Empress Caroline Augusta of Bavaria visited the road in 1830. A monument was built in 1833 to celebrate this big achievement.
Small Villages in the Marsh
The marshland has several small villages, or hamlets, that are part of the city of Ljubljana. These include Ilovica, Volar, Pri Strahu, Pri Maranzu, Kožuh, and Havptmance.
Ilovica Settlement
Ilovica was settled a bit later, starting in 1838. By 1860, it had only six farms.
Volar and Caroline's Land
Volar is located between the Iščica and Ljubljanica rivers. People started settling here after 1830. It was even officially named Karolinska zemlja, which means 'Caroline's land', in honor of Caroline Augusta of Bavaria.
Kožuh and Havptmance
Kožuh is further south. Havptmance is east of Kožuh. Havptmance was mentioned as a place in the 1700s. It became more settled in the 1870s when people were busy digging up peat (a type of soil made from decayed plants) for fuel. The name Havptmance might come from the German word for a provincial governor, who may have had hunting grounds in the area.
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Kožuh
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Havptmance
Fun Activities in the Marsh
The Ljubljana Marsh is a very popular spot for people who love hot air ballooning. The wide-open spaces make it a great place for balloons to take off and land.
Safety Measures for Ballooning
In 2012, there was a balloon accident in the marsh. After this, new and stricter rules were put in place for pilots. These rules help make sure that balloon trips are safe for everyone who wants to enjoy the amazing views from above.
