The legend goes that Ljubljana was founded by Prince Jason and Argonauts on their way back home with the Golden Fleece. According to the legend, Jason fought there a dragon that is now depicted on the city's coat of arms. The Romans settled in the area about 50 B.C. and called their city Emona. The Slavs arrived about the end of the 6th Century, and their settlement gradually grew into a Medieval town. In the 13th Century it became capital of the Carniola province. In 1335 it came under Habsburg rule and flourished as a center of trade and crafts. The Reformation had a great influence over Ljubljana, the first books in Slovenian were published, and the Bible was translated into Slovenian.

When Napoleon occupied Carniola, Ljubljana became capital of the Illyrian Provinces. Austria, however, soon restored control over the area. In 1895 the city was hit by a disastrous earthquake which left it in ruins. The restoration works introduced the Secessionist style which blended well with the earlier Baroque buildings. With the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ljubljana became the political and administrative center of Slovenia. World War II brought much suffering to the city. It was first occupied by the Italians, then by the Germans. After the war Slovenia became part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and only gained independence in 1990.

One of the city's tourist attractions is the Castle on a hill. It was used as a fortress during the Middle Ages, and contains a 15th-century Baroque chapel of St George.

Many of the city's finest buildings, parks and squares were designed by Joze Plecnik between the wars: St Michael's Church, the National and University Library, the Church of St Francis, Ljubljana Stadium, the Market, the Three Bridges and the Tivoli Park.