Introduction
Ljubljana was under Habsburg rule from the Late Middle Ages until the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. While it was a culturally important city for Slovenes, its size and political influence remained relatively modest compared to cities like Vienna, Budapest, or even nearby Trieste and Graz.
In the second half of the 19th century, Ljubljana experienced a notable urban revival, which gained momentum following the devastating earthquake of 1895. The city’s reconstruction was spearheaded by mayor Ivan Hribar, whose goal was to transform Ljubljana into a prestigious economic and cultural centre for the Slovenes. During the post-earthquake reconstruction, Vienna Secession found its way to Ljubljana. It was introduced to the Slovene Lands by architects Max Fabiani and Ciril Metod Koch.
Secessionist buildings are primarily concentrated in the area between the curve of the railway line and the Ljubljanica River, particularly around Prešeren Square and Miklošič Park. The most prominent example is the Dragon Bridge – one of the earliest reinforced concrete bridges in Europe and arguably the most beautiful bridge produced by Vienna Secession.
By the 1910s, the Secession style was already in decline in Ljubljana. Some of its final echoes appear in the work of architect Ivan Vurnik, particularly in his development of the Slovene National Style in the early 1920s – for example, in the Cooperative Business Bank building (1921-1922). These works reflect a markedly different political and cultural context, as well as distinct stylistic features, which is why they are not included in this portfolio.
Sites
This list presents a selection of the most significant Secessionist buildings in Ljubljana.
- Jubilee Bridge of Emperor Franz Joseph I (Dragon Bridge) | between Resljeva cesta & Kopitarjeva ulica | Josef Melan (engineer) & Giorgio Zaninovich (architect), 1900-1901, 1907
- Krisper House | Miklošičeva cesta 20 & Tavčarjeva ulica 8a | Max Fabiani, 1900-1901
- Čuden House | Cigaletova ulica 3 & Tavčarjeva ulica 6 | Ciril Metod Koch, 1901-1902
- Pogačnik House | Cigaletova ulica 1 | Ciril Metod Koch, 1902
- Urbanc Department Store | Prešernov trg, Trubarjeva cesta & Miklošičeva cesta | Friedrich Sigmundt, 1902-1903
- Hribar House | Tavčarjeva ulica 2 & Slovenska cesta 46 | Max Fabiani, 1902-1903
- Korsika House | Prešernova cesta 1 | Gustav Tönnies, 1902-1903
- Korsika House | Prešernova cesta 3 | Gustav Tönnies, 1902-1903
- Smielowski House | Dalmatinova ulica 3 | Robert Smielowski, 1903
- Bahovec House | Tavčarjeva ulica 11 | 1903
- Ljubljana City Savings Bank | Čopova ulica 3 | Josip Vancaš, 1903-1904
- Treo House | Kersnikova ulica 7 | Viljem Treo, 1903-1904
- Počivavnik House | Miklošičeva cesta 6 | Robert Smielowski, 1903-1904
- Supančič House | Prešernova cesta 14 | Robert Smielowski, 1903-1904
- Hauptmann House | Prešernov trg & Wolfova ulica | 1873; Ciril Metod Koch, 1904 (renovation)
- Regalli House | Tavčarjeva ulica 13 | 1904
- Prešeren Monument | Prešernov trg | Ivan Zajec & Max Fabiani, 1900-1905
- Grand Hotel Union | Miklošičeva cesta 1 | Josip Vancaš, 1902-1905
- Supančič House | Prešernova cesta 12 | Robert Smielowski, 1904-1905
- Regalli House | Miklošičeva cesta 18 | Franc Berneker, 1904-1906
- Pirc House | Cigaletova ulica 5 & Tavčarjeva ulica 7 | 1905-1906
- Požar House | Tavčarjeva ulica 15 | 1906
- Agricultural Loan Bank Houses | Trdinova ulica 2 & 8 | Ciril Metod Koch, 1906-1907
- People’s Loan Bank | Miklošičeva cesta 4 | Josip Vancaš, 1907
- Stare House | Tavčarjeva ulica 10 | 1907
- German Theatre | Slovenska cesta, Igriška ulica & Erjavčeva cesta | Alexander Graf, 1909-1911
- Prešernova cesta 2
- Ulica talcev 4
Map
See the mentioned sites on the map.
Portfolio
Photos
Taken in November 2024