In July 2018, Ljubljana welcomed its world-renowned jewel in a newly renovated shine. One of the most intriguing hostels in the world, situated in the former military prison, and acknowledged as the ‘Hippest hostel #1’ by Lonely Planet and one of the ’25 ultimate places to stay’ by Rough Guides, has been re-opened after this year’s thorough renovation.
Hostel Celica (Celica = prison cell) has been since 2003 boasting an amazing interior: 20 unique, artistically converted prison cells and 9 comfortable rooms. The accommodation in double and multi-bed rooms is upgraded with decorations by Slovenian and foreign artists. Along the rooms, the hostel offers a restaurant, an internet corner and several seminar rooms. The Srečišče Gallery, used for diverse art exhibitions, can be purchased for rent and can be transformed into the perfect venue for various events, from seminars, workshops to business meetings.
Cultural events, artistic performances, exhibitions, workshops and similar, are the heart of the Celica Hostel which even calls itself the ‘Art Hostel’. It presents a popular spot for local residents to attend concerts of diverse genres. This is an unusual, if not even unique, characteristic of the hostel: Ljubljana’s art-loving residents flock to the hostel to attend diverse and rich events.
Celica’s yard in summer and its indoor venue in other months present a gathering spot for locals and tourists who enjoy the openness of the hostel’s welcoming spirit. As the hostel states on its website: “A place that used to divide and categorize people according to different opinions and believes, has grown into a true social center and a melting pot of ideas.”
Along with its artistic soul, Celica offers rich social events calendar and especially famous Tuesday live concerts that are free and open for all hostel guests and visitors, as well as Jazz concerts on Friday evenings. Since its re-opening on the 1st of July 2018, Celica has hosted an alternative rock female duo All Strings Detached, jazz band Cherry Wine, multi-instrumentalist duo Samo Kutin and Ana Kravanja, TWO for TWO Quartet, Jarc Gregoring Trio – prog blues (JG3O), jams of the trio Magic Jam, and rock of Chris Eckman & The Frictions. The Celica’s calendar is continuously full of events for the whole summer and beyond.
Through its offer of music and exhibitions, Hostel Celica presents: “The perfect example how art can transform a place with such dark and complex story into a completely opposite environment, filled with innumerous opportunities and positive vibrations.”
The most unique and artistic Ljubljana hostel is located in the famous Metelkova City, internationally renowned alternative culture community in the centre of Ljubljana with art galleries, LGBT spaces, cultural organisations and several clubs featuring different types of alternative music.
Hostel Celica is just another jewel in the crown of Ljubljana’s soul as the Open City.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:
- HIPPEST HOSTEL # 1 – Lonely Planet (2006)
- 25 ULTIMATE PLACES TO STAY – Rough Guides (2007)
- HOSCAR AWARD – Hostelworld.com (2010)
- BEST HOSTEL IN LJUBLJANA – In Your Pocket (2014)
- WORLD’S 1st CERTIFIED SUSTAINABILITY-ORIENTED HOSTEL (2016)
- TRAVELIFE GOLD 2016-2018
- Certified SLOVENIA GREEN ACCOMMODATION provider (2016)
