OHS Thematic Weekend: Baroque Ljubljana
In collaboration with the National Museum of Slovenia and the Department of Art History at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana, we warmly invite you to join us for the thematic weekend Open House Slovenia: Baroque Ljubljana, taking place from October 10 to 12, 2025. The event will be dedicated to exploring some of the most important Baroque buildings in Ljubljana.
Baroque, the artistic style of the 17th and 18th centuries, left a profound mark on the landscape of present-day Slovenia, giving it a distinctive and recognizable character. Following the Middle Ages, this was a time of renewed artistic flourishing. The mobility of artists characteristic of the Baroque period brought renowned names and exceptional works of architecture, sculpture, and painting to Slovenian lands. In Ljubljana, an ambitious wave of building activity emerged, driven by a dynamic culture of artistic patronage. The main force behind this cultural revival were noble intellectuals who, seeking to connect with both the imperial court and prominent art centres near and far, actively promoted cultural development in all areas.
The thematic weekend will start with visits to selected architectural landmarks in Ljubljana. Among others, you will have the opportunity to enter the Gruber Palace, a masterpiece of Late Baroque architecture in Slovenia, and explore the grand Seminary Library, dating from the first half of the 18th century. The programme will conclude with a guided tour of the exhibition Baroque in Slovenia: Architecture and Applied Arts at the National Museum of Slovenia, which highlights the characteristics of Baroque applied arts, architecture, and their influence on the environment.
This thematic weekend offers a unique opportunity for a deeper understanding of Baroque not merely as an aesthetic style, but as a powerful tool of communication and prestige that shaped the historical development of the city. A walk through Baroque Ljubljana will not only transport you into the past but also inspire reflection on how cultural heritage influences our perception of space in the present day.
We invite you to join us in discovering Baroque Ljubljana!
The program of the thematic event Baroque Ljubljana is available here. Bookings for the tours open on 1 October at 9:00.
More information about the Baroque in Slovenia exhibition and related events is available on the website of the National Museum of Slovenia.
