Vodnik Monument, Bronze monument in Old Town, Slovenia.

The Vodnik Monument is a 2.5-metre bronze statue of the poet Valentin Vodnik, sculpted by Alojz Gangl and cast in Vienna between 1887 and 1889. It stands on a stone block and tiered pedestal designed by architect Jan Duffe, surrounded by a low iron fence. The statue faces away from the square, with its back to the open space, because the former Ljubljana Lyceum building once stood behind it.

The monument was unveiled in 1889 to honor Valentin Vodnik, a Slovenian priest and poet who shaped the country's literary tradition. Its creation came during a period when Slovenian cultural identity was gaining greater awareness and expression.

The monument bears inscriptions in Slovenian, including verses from Vodnik's poem 'My Monument'. The bronze elements added over time reflect the connection between Slovenia and France during that period.

The monument sits at Vodnik Square next to Ljubljana's central market and is easily accessible. Visitors can explore the area at any time since it remains in a public plaza.

The reverse of the pedestal carries the last stanza of Vodnik's 1806 poem "Moj spomenik" ("My Monument"): no daughter, no son will follow him, but his songs keep his memory alive. In 1929 France donated a bronze plaque with the letters RF, a fasces and a blessing hand, marking 120 years of the Illyrian Provinces.