Slovenia, land of the Baroque
You will approach, discover this art which knew its apogee in the catholic countries, expression of the counter-Reformation. Under the influence of Venice and Vienna, the Slovenian Baroque had several periods. Following the Renaissance and Mannerism, the beginnings are marked by Baroque elements, particularly under the authority of Tomaž Hren (1560-1630), bishop of Ljubljana and promoter of the counter-Reformation. The style became more refined and established itself around 1700. The Academia Operosorum, founded in Ljubljana in 1693, gave it new impetus. Large ensembles were built, the plans of which were the work of masters from abroad. This period ended in 1740. The late baroque that followed was impregnated with rococo elements. Baroque architecture was enhanced by stucco. Dynamic movements appear that oppose the orderly balance of the Renaissance. With trompe l'oeil painting, the eye is invited to create a new unity of the earthly and the celestial. In churches, saints besiege the vaults, while in secular places, deities from the Greek Olympus supplant them(Princes' manor in Celje, Brežice castle and its Posavje museum). The places, the allegorical figures, the color contrasts, the dramatic staging look at the visitor. Workshops flourished, mainly in Ljubljana and Gorica. Baroque painting was dominated by Valentin Metzinger from Lorraine, his student Anton Cebej, Frančišek Jelovšek, Fortunat Bergant. The sculpture of Francesco Robba is a highlight in Ljubljana (the Three Rivers of Carniola fountain in the town square). The importance of the Baroque style can be seen most easily during a stroll through the Slovenian capital, especially in the churches that were rebuilt in this style after the earthquake of 1511. The Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation, which dominates Prešeren Square, the Ursuline Convent and the Church of the Holy Trinity are fascinating jewels with their pastel colors that give the city a light touch and a soothing atmosphere. In the towns and villages around Ljubljana, it is also undeniable that many of the monuments, castles and churches, were built in the Baroque style.
The Venetian atmosphere of the coast
Nestled between Italy and Austria and bordered by the Adriatic Sea, the Slovenian coastline has plenty to offer those who love nomadic travel and a change of scenery. The peculiarity of many towns along the sea is that their general architecture is reminiscent of the beautiful Venice in many ways. Let us not forget to mention that this is not by chance, since Slovenia was under the rule of the Republic of Venice for five centuries, at least as far as the coast along the Adriatic is concerned. In the municipality of Koper, you can see arches, winged lions of St. Mark and a beautiful Praetorian palace in the old walled city, and when you arrive in Piran, you almost feel that you are not in Slovenia anymore. From Tartinijev square, where you can see the bell tower of St. George's cathedral, which is reminiscent of the one in St. Mark's square, you walk through a maze of alleys and vaulted passages that take you to the heart of the Veneto region. Another exceptional bell tower stands proudly in the town of Izola. The tiles on the roofs, the picturesque alleys with colored facades and the omnipresence of the sea give the setting of a miniature Venice.
The life of a castle
Here is another good reason to travel on Slovenian roads, the country is full of beautiful fortresses, castles and manors. These buildings were built in various periods, from the distant Middle Ages to the Renaissance and the Baroque. Some of them have suffered the ravages of history and left behind them ruins, but a large number of them have preserved their original architecture and welcome visitors, who can come for a simple visit, or attend a cultural event that mixes art and heritage presentation.
If the castle in Bled attracts visitors because of its mixture of styles, from Romanesque to Baroque and Renaissance, it is also because of its particular location, set on a rocky spur, overlooking a lake and surrounded by Alpine peaks, which gives it a charisma that brings respect. In Celje, there is also an old castle that dominates the town and offers a beautiful view of the town, the Alps and the hills of Posavje. The castle, built between 1120 and 1130, offers a real journey through time and its ramparts are grandiose. Later on, how can we not marvel at the amazing Predjama Castle, built at the foot of a cave? The building is connected to the cave by underground galleries that do not fail to awaken the imagination. It is there, at 123 m high that it has been lying for more than eight centuries, and its vertiginous situation does not fail to attract the visitors, as well as the film makers. Another Slovenian splendor, the monastery of Olimje is a must-see in the country. Indeed, how not to be surprised by the geometric shapes and the blue-gray color that decorates its facade? Located near the town of Podčertrtek, this castle-monastery was first mentioned in the 13th century, however its current architecture dates back to the 16th century. It once housed a former pharmacy and is now occupied by monks. It is worth seeing for the feeling that you will never see such a special facade anywhere else and for taking unique pictures.Slovenia, a field of experimentation for great architects
In Slovenia, there are many architects who have distinguished themselves throughout the country's history. Names that have left their mark on Slovenian cities, but also on other European cities such as Prague or Vienna
Maks Fabiani (1865-1962) studied at the Vienna Technical College. Interested in urban planning issues, he offered his expertise after the earthquake that shook Ljubljana in 1895. The city being a real construction site, he expressed all his talent, encouraged by the mayor of the time Ivan Hribar. He changed the morphology of the city so that it was no longer concentrated around the castle. He redesigned Prešeren Square, and designed Miklošič Park, a very important secessionist enclave in the city. The highest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings can be found here, a reason in itself to linger in Ljubljana. For example, the Krisper house has delicate arabesque friezes on the second floor windows and colored dots, while the nearby Hribar house (Tavčarjeva 2) reveals a delicate, wavy tiled facade. Another champion of the Viennese Secession, Slovenian architect Ciril Metod Koch is responsible for the Hauptmann and Čuden buildings on the same Prešeren and Miklošič squares. All of these monuments are examples of the splendors that the Slovenian capital reveals on an Art Nouveau-oriented stroll.
Edvard Ravnikar (1907-1993) is another important name in Slovenian architecture. A student of Le Corbusier and Plečnik, he never completely broke with the classical genre despite a resolutely modern vision that is expressed in the design of Republic Square in Ljubljana. This square is a perfect example of the architecture of socialist modernism. The buildings, which may seem rough and severe, but which contribute to making the Slovenian capital an architectural melting pot, are the unmistakable Slovenian Parliament and the TR3 towers.
Jože Plečnik (1872-1957). And since we mention Plečnik, how can we talk about Slovenia's architecture without ending with the work of perhaps the greatest Slovenian architect? Upon his return to Ljubljana in 1921 to take up the post of professor, he also dedicated himself to the architectural development of the city to make it an important capital worthy of the name. A visionary architect with a passion for postmodernism, he did not hesitate to incorporate certain classical elements such as Greek columns into his buildings. Ljubljana owes him places like the stadium and cemetery in Bežigrad, the summer theater in Križanke and the famous Triple Bridge. But his talent was also expressed far beyond the borders of the capital, in the form of splendid buildings such as the building of the People's Credit Bank in Celje, the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in the Tolmin region and the hunting lodge in Kamniška Bistrica. You can learn more about his work by visiting his house in Ljubljana.
