Seminary Library

The architecture of the Seminary Library reflects the high artistic and intellectual ideals of the early 18th century. The library was originally arranged above the sacristy of the new Baroque cathedral, but in the first half of the 18th century, it was given its own space in the newly built theological seminary, designed by Carlo Martinuzzi. The building stands out as a slightly articulated block with a grand portal, which was likely created in 1714 according to Martinuzzi’s design by the sculptor Angelo Putti and the stonemasonry workshop of Luka Mislej. The interior of the library is one of the finest fully preserved Baroque spaces in Ljubljana. In 1721 Giulio Quaglio painted the ceiling with a fresco that places Truth at the centre, surrounded by virtues and Church Fathers. Massive oak bookcases, crafted in 1725 by master carpenter Joseph Weidinger, complement the space. The Seminary Library ranks among the highest-quality Baroque libraries not only in Slovenia but also in the broader European context.