Vrhnika is a town, which is a centre of Municipality of Vrhnika. It is located by the old road from Ljubljana to Postojna. It lies on the slopes of Pokojnik plateau and on the western side of Ljubljansko swamp. The beginning and development of the city is connected with ships and traffic on the Ljubljanica River, which springs here on several places. Vrhnika is also situated on area, where is the shortest passage from Ljubljana basin over the karst and Inner Carniola forest plateau to the sea. The place of today's Vrhnika was already settled before the arrival of Romans. In written sources is first mentioned in 1300 and at that time was named Upper Ljubljana.
In the city we can see the following major attractions: the monument of greatest Slovenian dramatist, poet and writer Ivan Cankar (1876-1918), the birthplace of Ivan Cankar, Lavrencic House – the Old Post Office, a former Hotel by Black eagle, the Church of Saint Lenart, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Church of St. Paul on the Hill and other.
The birthplace of Ivan Cankar is separated into a black kitchen, living room and chamber. It was proclaimed for a cultural monument. Lavrencic House belongs between the most important and oldest buildings in Vrhnika. It is located on the bank of the Ljubljanica River, where was sometimes a passanger port. A Hotel By Black eagle was built in 1850. By the Church of St. Lenart are buried Ivan Cankar's parents. The Baroque style church got in the 18th Century. It was built around 1640. The Church of Saint Paul is located on the place of the former Roman camp and was built in 1851.