Ljubljanica

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox river The Ljubljanica ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}), known in the Middle Ages as the Leybach,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> is a river in the southern part of the Ljubljana Basin in Slovenia. The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, lies on the river. The Ljubljanica rises south of the town of Vrhnika and flows into the Sava River about Template:Convert downstream from Ljubljana. Its largest affluent is the Mali Graben Canal.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Including its source affluent the Little Ljubljanica (Template:Langx), the river is Template:Convert in length.Template:GeoQuelle The Little Ljubljanica joins the Big Ljubljanica (Template:Langx) after Template:Convert and the river continues its course as the Ljubljanica.

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

Archaeological significance

The Ljubljanica has become a popular site for archaeologists 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.<ref>Kaufmann, Carol (Jan 2007). "A River's Gifts". National Geographic Magazine. 150-7.</ref> 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 Szeletian period, and supplements the scant data about the presence of Stone Age hunters in the Ljubljana Marsh area.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Exactly why the Ljubljanica became an article dumping ground is unknown, 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."

The Ljubljanica has become a 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.

Ljubljanica basin
Ljubljanica basin

See also

References

Template:Reflist

Template:Sister project

Template:Ljubljana Template:Hydrology of Slovenia Template:Authority control