Long before Ljubljana became a medieval town, a Roman colony called Iulia Aemona, usually shortened to Emona, stood on the left bank of the Ljubljanica. It was founded around AD 14 under Augustus or Tiberius to guard the road from Aquileia to Pannonia and held an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 inhabitants within walls roughly 500 by 400 m. The outline of its streets still shapes the centre of today's city: the grid of the Roman streets influenced the layout of the left-bank centre. In the 1930s Jože Plečnik restored a section of the city wall at Mirje, adding a rebuilt pyramid, a gate and a colonnade. Further Roman streets and house remains are displayed in Emona House (Emonska hiša) and in the City Museum of Ljubljana, which also shows the 5,100-year-old wooden wheel found in the Ljubljana Marsh. Emona declined in the 4th and 5th centuries, and tradition holds that Attila's Huns destroyed it around 452.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open-air site, open daily |
| Address | Mirje, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia |
Why it matters
Ljubljana grew from the Roman colony of Emona, founded around AD 14; sections of its walls were restored by Jože Plečnik at Mirje, and the finds are displayed in the City Museum and the National Museum.
Location
Mirje, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
46.0452, 14.4999 View on map
Highlights
- Restored sections of the Roman city wall at Mirje by Jože Plečnik
- Outline of Roman streets under the modern city centre
- Roman finds in the City Museum of Ljubljana and the National Museum of Slovenia
- Plečnik's pyramid and colonnade at the wall
- Link to the nearby Emona House
Tips for visiting
- Walk the Mirje wall section in the morning for the quietest views.
- Combine with the City Museum and Emona House.
- Pick up a Roman Emona map at the Tourist Information Centre.
- Plečnik's gate and pyramid are best photographed in low light.
- The wall is outdoors and free to visit at any time.
When to visit
Daytime in spring and autumn is best; the wall is lit on some evenings.
Accessibility
The Mirje wall area is mostly flat and paved but includes some uneven sections.
Frequently asked questions
When was Emona founded?
The Roman colony of Emona was founded around AD 14.
Where can visitors see Roman remains in Ljubljana?
Sections of wall at Mirje, Roman remains in Emona House, and finds in the City Museum and National Museum.
Who restored the wall at Mirje?
Jože Plečnik restored and landscaped the wall in the 1930s.
Is there an admission fee?
No. The outdoor wall is free.