Location: Gorenjska (Upper Carniola) region.
Total area: 4.5 km2.
Population: around 12 000 inhabitants.
Škofja Loka is known as the best preserved medieval Slovenian town and maybe the most beautiful as well. But to decide which town is the most beautiful – you should see them with your own eyes. Škofja Loka offers a lot to every visitor and every taste!
It was established more than 1000 years ago and got its present name in the end of 13 century – in 1274, a settlement was documentarily signed as the town. Archaeological excavations have shown the presence of settlements in Škofja Loka area from at least the 20th century B.C. Throughout history, the town experienced many tragedies: attacks, fires, plague, and earthquakes. The most dreadful earthquake happened in 1511 and it badly damaged the town, but since then old core didn’t change much.
Škofja Loka lies at the conjunction of two rivers: Poljanska Sora and Selška Sora.
A natural platform above them and foothills of mountain Lubnik offered a possibility of constructing an impressive castle, beneath which the town started to grow.
The old town center, which stands on river terraces, consists of Upper Town Square called Plac and Lower Town Square called Lontrg, both dominated by the Loka Castle.
Information for tourists can be found here:
By car: 25 km from Ljubljana.
By bus: from Bus Station Ljubljana there are buses to Škofja Loka almost every 30 minutes (36 minutes to go). Also, there is a bus connection with Žiri, Železniki and Kranj.
By train from Ljubljana, Jesenice and Kranj.