Pristine and tranquil in the heart of Europe. Slovenia has managed to escape both the violence and economic problems of Eastern Europe, and thus has preserved its history remarkably well.
History of Slovenia
Formerly part of the Roman Empire, the area now known as Slovenia became that when the people, we call Slovenes, settled the region in the 6th century CE. At that time, Christianization took place, and the peoples of the hills and seashores of Slovenia became staunch Christians (many remaining so today). Afterwards, the Slovene lands became part of the Holy Roman Empire, which would later be succeeded by were the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the dissolution at the end of World War I in 1918.
Piran, the jewel of the Adriatic.
In 1929, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was formed, and turned into a multinational state named Yugoslavia. After Slovenia was occupied by the Axis powers and later liberated by the Partisans with the help of Western Allies in World War II, Slovenia became a republic in the renewed Yugoslavia, which although communist, distanced itself from Soviet rule.
Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a remarkably short 10-day war. Slovenia came into both NATO and the EU in 2004, and joined the Eurozone and the Schengen Area in 2007, completing the final steps of accession to the European Union. Today, the economy is rather robust and diversified with auto manufacturing, tourism and textiles all playing a part.
Top Things to Do
Istrian Coast – The Adriatic coast of Slovenia is full of adorable cities and parklands.
Piran – A beautiful town on the Adriatic Sea.
Ljubljana – Slovenia’s capital city and remarkably well-preserved heart.
Lake Bled – You’ve definitely seen this on a screensaver.
