Dragon Bridge is the most fairytale of fairytale bridges in the delightfully fairytale city of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Combining old-world charm with medieval mystique, this bridge isn't afraid to celebrate its gothic construction nor the mythical side of the area's history. Festooned with ornamental dragon statues among the already ornate embellishments, visitors love to see the playful (or frightening?) side of the city through this delightful monument.
While medieval in style, this attraction came into being in the early 20th century as part of a urban renovation. An 1895 earthquake had damaged the previous boring old wooden bridge, and the powers that be decided to try out a new, innovative technology called reinforced concrete, and throw some cool dragons in there for good measure.
The bridge stands as a technical monument to the new static calculation of the time, and to the reinforced concrete that forever changed urban expansion. In the early 1980s, the bridge was renovated with a lightweight concrete. The beautiful fantasy-themed bridge holds the titles to a couple of firsts: first Slovenian bridge paved, first reinforced concrete bridge in Ljubljana, and came is a strong third for largest arch in Europe at the time of construction.
All technical marvel aside, obviously the main attraction is the fine example of Vienna Succession style, and the four dragons guarding the bridge on either side, with sixteen smaller ones decorating its span.
