The history of Metelkova as a cultural space extends back to September 1993, when a group of 200 volunteers squatted the site in a bid to stop the complex from being torn down. Local authorities then decided to dedicate the complex for cultural purposes. It has since developed into a bustling centre for large number of clubs hosting a regular programme of concerts, club nights, and one-off club events featuring underground artists and DJs from around the world. The centre also hosts art performances, exhibitions, and an occasional festival. Running a vibrant daily programme of events, it draws together people on any night of the week. The crowd is mixed, including anyone from students and underground music fans to visitors to Ljubljana and professionals enjoying a night out.
Located north of Ljubljanica River, Metelkova is a 10-minute walk from Ljubljana’s central train station and a 15-minute walk from Prešeren Square. Nearby are many art, cinematic, ethnographic and history museums.
Free and ticketed events take place year-round in Metelkova. The schedule can be found on the district’s official Slovenian language website.
Spend your day at Metelkova, roaming between refurbished military buildings in this sleepy community. Exploring the graffiti-clad walls and open-air art installations. Chat with artists to understand the philosophy behind this unique city-within-a-city. Appreciate the stark contrast between this district and the neat, cobblestone streets of Ljubljana’s historic centre.
Visit the Alkatraz Gallery, a non-profit institution in the barracks’ old stable. It puts on experimental exhibits by both national and international artists. Mizzart Gallery hosts a second-hand market and child-friendly workshops. Enjoy people-watching opportunities at the gallery’s cafe. Stop at the National Museum of Slovenia’s Metelkova Branch to see toys, furniture, weapons and other examples of applied arts through Slovenia’s history.
At night, Metelkova becomes Slovenia’s principal destination for alternative culture, filling with a mix of bohemians, musicians and curious tourists. Find clubs dedicated to cinema, literature and performing arts. A busy concert schedule includes everything from dub, hip-hop and reggae to heavy metal, punk and rock. Mingle at street-side bars and the Square with no Historic Memory, where outdoor performances often occur.
Year-round festivals deliver further alternative art forms and the chance for minority groups to express themselves freely. Attend March’s International Feminist and Queer Festival Red Dawns which explores transgressing gender roles.
For the complete Metelkova experience, stay overnight at the Celica Hostel inside the barracks’ prison building. About 80 Slovene and foreign artists, including Anthony Gormley, cooperated to create this space.
Visit Metelkova by day to check out the street art, or on Friday nights for the best nightlife in town.
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