The Dragon, symbol of Ljubljana, giving the name to one of the city's best-known bridges
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Dragon Bridge
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Dragon Bridge
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Ljubljana's Dragon Bridge, crossing to the island on which the impressive castle stands, was built in 1901, designed by Josef Melan. Three years late, it had originally been intended to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph's reign and was ostensibly named after him. However, it has been known for over a century by its colloquial name, after the wonderful dragon statues overlooking it, the winged symbol of Ljubljana.
The first in the world to include prefabricated concrete, the bridge is one of the most distinctive sights in the city, with its fin de siècle Art Nouveau design, courtesy of Melan, who is known as the father of the suspension bridge. A disciple of Otto Wagner, Jurij Zaninovich, decorated the bridge, which bears a plaque with the names of the supreme ruler of Carniola and Ljubljana's then mayor, Ivan Hribar.
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