Emona Archaeological Site

Address: Emona (ancient site in Ljubljana), Urban Municipality of Ljubljana, Slovenia

Emona is the Roman-era city founded on the site of present-day Ljubljana in what is now central Slovenia. It functioned as a Roman military and civilian settlement during the early imperial period and left archaeological traces beneath the modern urban fabric.

Excavations in Ljubljana’s historic centre have revealed parts of the Roman street plan, defensive works and buildings, along with artefacts displayed in local museums. The archaeological record shows Emona’s integration into Roman provincial networks and subsequent urban development.

Emona was established in the early Roman imperial period and later evolved as the Roman political and economic presence in the region changed; parts of the Roman infrastructure were modified or reused in late antiquity and the medieval period.

The site lies beneath Ljubljana’s old town at the heart of the contemporary city; many of the Roman finds come from excavations carried out during urban works in the historic centre.

• Roman Ljubljana: Emona was the Roman settlement on the site of modern Ljubljana; material remains are visible in the city and in local museum displays.

What to See#

• Emona archaeological remains: Archaeological remains and finds from the Roman settlement have been uncovered at multiple locations within central Ljubljana and are displayed in the city’s archaeological collections.
• Roman walls and street plan: Sections of Roman defensive walls and urban layout have been identified beneath and alongside modern streets in Ljubljana’s old town area.

Emona refers to the Roman-era remains in central Ljubljana. From Ljubljana Central Train and Bus Station it is an easy 15-20 minute walk into the old town (follow Slovenska cesta toward Prešeren Square); alternatively take an LPP city bus to stops at Prešeren Square (Prešernov trg) or Congress Square (Kongresni trg) and walk about 5-10 minutes to the archaeological sites.