Ljubljanica

Ljubljanica
The Ljubljanica flows through Ljubljana
Origin	Retovje45°57′5.28″N 14°17′40.54″E, Ljubija45°57′11.32″N 14°18′0.16″E, Bistra45°56′51″N 14°20′2.84″E
Mouth	Podgrad46°4′10.93″N 14°38′19.74″E
Basin countries	Slovenia
Length	41 kilometres (25 mi) (including Mala Ljubljanica)
Source elevation	300 m (980 ft)
Mouth elevation	260 m (850 ft)
Avg. discharge	25 m³/s (at the source near Vrhnika), 55 m³/s (at the outflow in Moste)
Basin area	1,779 km2 (687 sq mi)

The Ljubljanica is a river in the southern part of Ljubljana Basin in Slovenia. The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, is situated on the river. The Ljubljanica rises to the south of the town Vrhnika and outflows in the Sava River about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) downstream from Ljubljana. Its largest affluent is Mali graben. Including the source affluent Mala Ljubljanica, the river is 41 km (25 mi) in length. Mala Ljubljanica confluents with Velika Ljubljanica after 1,300 m (4,300 ft) and the river continues its flow under the name Ljubljanica.

Ljubljanica is the continuation of several karst rivers that flow from Prezidsko polje till Vrhnika on the surface and underground in caves, so the river is poetically said to have seven names (six name changes): Trbuhovica, Obrh, Stržen, Rak, Pivka, Unica, and Ljubljanica.

Archaeological significance

Ljubljanica at Fužine

Night view of river.

Ljubljanica has become a popular site for archeologists and treasure hunters to dive for lost relics and artifacts. Locations in the river between Ljubljana and Vrhnika have offered up pieces of history from the Stone Age, to the Renaissance, belonging to a variety of groups, from local ancient cultures, to more well-known groups like the Romans and the Celts. One of the more significant findings is a yew spearhead, found in 2009 in Sinja Gorica. It has been dated to about 35,000 to 45,000 before present, the Szeletien period, and supplements the scarce data about the presence of Stone Age hunters in the Ljubljana Marshes area.

Exactly why the Ljubljanica became an article dumping ground is up for debate, but most historians believe that it is related to how local tradition has always held the river as a sacred place. These treasures may have been offered "…to the river during rites of passage, in mourning, or as thanksgiving for battles won".

Being what it is, the Ljubljanica has become a very popular attraction in Europe for treasure hunters. This has created an ethical debate between local historians and international treasure seekers. It is believed that the river has offered up between 10,000 and 13,000 objects, of which many have been lost to the public. Many pieces have been sold into private collections, or are hidden away by the original treasure hunters. In 2003, to help curb this trend, Slovenia's national parliament declared the river a site of cultural importance and banned diving in it without a permit.

See also

• Ljubljanica Sluice Gate

External links

• http://expo98.literal.si/eng/zakladi/vode-slovenije/ljubljanica.html
• http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0701/feature6/index.html