ADMIRAL NELSON’S VISIT TO LJUBLJANA

Over two hundred and twenty-two years ago, in August 1800, Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, widely regarded as one of the greatest naval commanders in history, travelled through Slovenia, accompanied by his great love Lady Hamilton and a wider delegation. During their travels, they visited Ljubljana – and stayed at the foremost hostelry in town, known today as the Hotel Slon.

WHY SLON?
Slon is the Slovenian word for elephant. In 1552, Maximillian II was the Archduke of Austria and about to become the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. He was 25 years old and had recently married Mary of Spain.

On his way from Spain, he was bringing one of his wedding presents: an elephant. Maximilian stopped at the best inn in Ljubljana. The wonderful animal impressed the population tremendously. The hotel Slon was later built on the site of this inn.