Kranj is the center of the informal province Upper Carniola, the capital of Slovenian Alps and cultural heart of Slovenia, as well the seat of the same name City municipality Kranj. It is the fourth biggest city in Slovenia.Kranj has a strong tradition of electronic and gourmet industry, at the same time it succeeded to preserve the old city center that lies above the confluence of mountain pasture’s rivers Kokra and Sava. It is a pleasant historical city situated on the picturesque rocky (conglomerate) pier below Šmarjetna gora. About his distant past talk archaeological findings, as the old city center, the walls and the defence tower.

Newer parts of the city are spreading to the plane of Carniola and Sora field. In year 1957 15 independent suburban settlements joined to the city – Primskovo, Klane, Huje, Struževo, Gorenje, Rupa, Zlato polje, Gorenja Sava, Kalvarija, Stražišče, Labore, Orehek, Šmarjetna gora, Čirče and Drulovka. The city lies on the intersection of roads Ljubljana – Jesenice and Škofja Loka – Jezersko. Through leads also the railway Ljubljana – Jesenice. It is the economic, commercial, traffic, employment, cultural, educational and sport center of the Upper Carniola.

Kranj celebrates its holiday on the day of the anniversary of the greatest Slovenian poet France Prešeren. Prešeren was born on December 3rd 1800 in Vrba on Upper Carniola, he is the author of the lyrics of the Slovenian Anthem. He was educated in Ribnica and Ljubljana, he studied law in Wien. Two years before his death he became a lawyer in Kranj. In year 2016 the city celebrated 170th anniversary of arrival of dr. France Prešeren in Kranj. On every step we can feel affection of the city towards the culture and France Prešeren.

See other major cities in Slovenia!

Tell us what you think about this city, it’s architecture, people – here!