Discover the monumental legacy of Jože Plečnik

The most important Slovenian architect with an international career and an incredible and unique language transformed the image of Slovenia's capital city.

The man with the renowned architectural signature

Jože Plečnik, who worked in Vienna, Prague, and Ljubljana from the late 19th century and all the way until the 1950s, left his greatest mark on Ljubljana. He managed to realise his vision to transform a once sleepy little town within the Hapsburg monarchy into the true capital city of Slovenia. Through daring architectural and urban planning projects, he transformed it into a comprehensive piece of art, while keeping in line with the local spirit despite his own excitement over Antiquity. You can also admire his works of art in other places in Slovenia.

Selected works by architect Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana have been included in the UNESCO list of the World Heritage Sites of cultural or natural heritage value.

Public fame, work in public, it's all nothing! Only at work, where a person feels the wings of eternity for a moment, does he get something that no one can take away from him any more – this is why art is such a terribly beautiful thing.

Jože Plečnik, Slovenian architect

Get to know the architectural genius

Who was Jože Plečnik? Get to know how his career path started, who influenced the development of the exceptional talent and creativity that he used in designing his architectural works, and why his masterpieces have found their place on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

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Walk around Plečnik’s Ljubljana

The most important Slovenian architect was the student of the famous Otto Wagner, in whose atelier he worked. After a number of decades of working in Vienna and Prague, he returned to Ljubljana, where he created projects that still draw admiration. Through his non-conformist approach that did not blindly follow existing trends he ensured that his works are timeless and that they continue to draw admiration and cause lively debate at the same time.

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Križanke

As you explore the legacy of this great architect, do not miss the former monastery of the Teutonic Order, the beginnings of which date back to the 13th century. The former Križanke monastery was redesigned by Jože Plečnik into a unique venue for eve

Triglav Insurance Company Palace

Plečnik also designed some of Ljubljana’s palaces, such as today’s dual façade of the Triglav Insurance Company Palace, in which JB Restaurant is located, one of the world's 100 best restaurants.

Plečnik House

You can learn a lot about the architect Jože Plečnik's life and work by visiting his home, where his belongings, authentic atmosphere and project plans have been preserved.

Cemetery Žale

In his desire to make this a memorial garden for the deceased, Plečnik created a unique arch and behind it chapels of rest in different styles, as a symbol of everyone being equal before death.

Church of St. Michael

The inventive church of St. Michael is an excellent example of adapting to the local culture and materials. It stands out for its pile foundations, owing to its construction on marshy soil.

Church of St. Francis

The theme of light and divinity also appears in Plečnik’s sacred works, among which the Church of St Francis, which was designed as a temple with a cylindrical belfry, stand out the most.

National and University Library

One of his most important works is the National and University Library, which was designed as a temple of erudition. It stands out due to its imposing façade with interspersed rough stones and a mighty staircase in the building’s interior leading tow

The Three Bridges

The old medieval city centre and the new city centre are linked by the Three Bridges, Ljubljana’s architectural treat, with which Plečnik wanted among other things to revive the river banks.

Central Market

One of the more complex projects in Ljubljana's public space is the Main Marketplace by the River Ljubljanica. The Marketplace has two levels, semi-circular windows, and pillars, which make it mighty in appearance, and they also hark back to ancient

Master Plečnik

The famous architect Jože Plečnik put Ljubljana on the pedestal of modern European capitals with his masterpieces. If you take a walk through Plečnik's Ljubljana with the master himself, you will also be able to discover the many visionary ideas that Plečnik was unable to realise. The walk and stops at points that marked Plečnik's life will also reveal interesting facts and anecdotes about the Slovenian architectural grandmaster.

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Experience the mastery of Jože Plečnik in your own way

You can get to know the famous architect and his work more closely in many interesting ways. Here are some hints about experiences related to Plečnik.

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Plečnik at first glance

On a guided tour of Ljubljana, you will discover Plečnik's most important creations in the Slovenian capital and learn about interesting details and the stories that are trapped in stone.

Plečnik's dreams come to life in a virtual form

Jože Plečnik had even more bold plans in store for Ljubljana that have remained unfulfilled. By means of the Nexto Ljubljana application, unrealised projects come to life in front of you through the master's...

Plečnik as a gift

You can also present Plečnik as a gift. Not literally, of course. In the museum shop of the City Museum of Ljubljana you can find various products with the Plečnik motif. These will be a lovely surprise...

Perhaps you didn’t know ...

The visionary architect was a loner and eccentric of sorts, who gained an important place in Slovenian cultural history. Here are some interesting facts about him

Engraved portrait of a bearded man with glasses wearing a broad-brimmed hat, displaying a thoughtful expression.

Jože Plečnik was depicted on the former 500 tolar banknote.

A bearded man in a suit holds a small fluffy dog outside his house.

Although Plečnik was a loner, he had a loyal companion in Sivko, a West Highland White Terrier.

Woman in a pink dress writes in a notebook at a rooftop cafe with a panoramic view of a historic city and castle.

Plečnik enjoyed the small things in life, with coffee being one of them.

Historic building facade with ornate stone balcony and columns. Three vertical banners hang above.

Plečnik was critical of his oeuvre and aware of its ephemerality. This is evidenced by the inscription opposite the entrance to the Križanke complex: "You are ephemeral, only your works are your memory."

Plečnik’s Slovenia: Where else can you find the architect’s masterpieces?

Plečnik's architectural and design works can be found practically all over Slovenia. Many Slovenian churches feature at least some detail bearing Plečnik’s signature. Moreover, Plečnik’s style can be recognised on building façades, pavilions, staircases, monuments, sacred buildings and interior furnishings.

Watch videoPlečnik in Kamnik

Following Plečnik’s footsteps in Kamnik

Kamnik is one of the Slovenian towns where Plečnik's influence is most noticeable, apart from Ljubljana. The architect liked to visit Kamnik, where he formed friendly ties with the Stele family. Even before World War I, Plečnik had big plans for the Kamnik town centre, but most of them were not implemented. Nevertheless, he contributed some architectural solutions to the town centre with his students, parts of church interiors in the Kamnik area, and a unique candle decoration tradition that continues to this day. Here are some of his greatest achievements in the town at the foot of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.

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Plečnik’s Kranj

Plečnik believed that "the metropolis of Gorenjska definitely deserved true love," so after World War II, he submitted several proposals for the town’s development: a new town hall on the bridge over the Kokra River, arrangement of the main square, renovation of the Prešeren House, façades and square in front of the theatre and the staircase by the Church of the Holy Rosary. Two of these proposals were realised and still adorn the old town centre today.

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Prešeren Theatre

Plečnik and his associates designed a colonnaded porch next to the theatre building and the arrangement of the square in front of it.

Plečnik’s Arcades in Kranj

If you enter the old town centre near the Church of the Holy Rosary you can admire Plečnik’s beautiful entrance to the town with its distinctive arcaded staircase and fountain.

Idyllic rural landscape with a white church with a red roof and a tall bell tower. The church stands in the middle of a lush green meadow. In the foreground, the branches of a tree with white flowers frame the scene beautifully. The sky is partly cloudy, creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

Plečnik's iconic church in Bogojina

The Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Bogojina is among the most modern church buildings in Europe. In designing it, Plečnik adhered to the local architectural traditions of Prekmurje and incorporated elements of early Christian architecture. The church is thus a blend of ancient architectural influences, folk art and conservatism, perfectly capturing the essence of Plečnik’s architecture.

Visit the church in Bogojina

Belvedere Pavilion in Bled

The pavilion above the Lake Bled next to Villa Bled was designed by Plečnik as a "waiting room" for audiences of the Yugoslav King Alexander. He also drew up plans for a new summer residence, part of which would have included the pavilion, but this was never realised. The pavilion was later used by Yugoslav President Tito to receive high-profile guests. Today, the pavilion houses a café with a beautiful view of Lake Bled and its surroundings.

Coffee at the Belvedere Pavilion

Upper part of a white building with classical architectural elements. Two balconies with balustrades, arched windows and a rounded columned structure at the top are visible. The building also includes columns and decorative trimmings, giving it an elegant and historic appearance.

People’s Loan Bank in Celje

The most important building in Celje from the interwar period which also bears Plečnik’s mark is the former People’s Loan Bank building. Although built according to the graduation plans of Plečnik’s student Vinko Lenarčič, the master himself also added his distinctive touch. The Mediterranean-style building, with its ingeniously broken balcony, still retains its original appearance, characterised by the distinctive columned balconies topped with a statue of Crucified Christ.

See Plečnik's work in Celje

Discover Plečnik’s legacy elsewhere in Slovenia

Explore various parts of Slovenia to uncover more gems of Plečnik’s architecture.

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Plečnik’s masterpieces across Slovenia

See where the famous architect Jože Plečnik left his mark throughout Slovenia.

Come and take a cultural stroll through Slovenia

Take a stroll through Ljubljana and other Slovenian towns and cities and explore architectural and other incredible creations by Slovenian architects and artists. Explore UNESCO heritage and the iconic images of Slovenia.

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Discover the monumental legacy of Jože Plečnik