St. Peter's Church, Ljubljana, Slovenia

St. Peter's Parish Church is one of the oldest churches in Ljubljana. The original church at the site was presumably built near the city walls already at the turn of the 9th century on the order of Paulinus II, the Patriarch of Aquilea. It was the seat of the Primitive Parish of Ljubljana. The church was encircled by a cemetery that was the main town cemetery until 1779, when it was abandoned.

The current building was erected in a Baroque style between 1730 and 1733 upon the plans of the architect Carlo Martinuzzi, who based them upon the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. The model of the church was made by Giovanni Fusconi, who also gave some technical advice. The church was built by the master builder Gregor Maček, Jr. Interior division of the church has been preserved from the period.

After the Ljubljana earthquake of 1895, the church was renovated by the architect Raimund Jeblinger in a neo-baroque style. This renovation was strongly criticised for its supposed low quality, and was followed by another, done between 1938 and 1940. The façade was completely remodeled by the architect Ivan Vurnik, while his wife Helena Vurnik contributed new interior decorations and mosaics. The church's ceiling frescoes are the work of baroque painter Fran Jelovšek; altar paintings are by Valentin Metzinger.

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Religious sites in Slovenia

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Sergio Saved (3 years ago)
St. Peter's Church, which is one of the oldest in the city, is located in Hrvatski trg (Croatia Square) between Trubar Street (Trubarjeva cesta) and Zalog Street (Zaloška cesta), slightly out of the way from the historic center. The original church is from the 9th century, but the current one is Baroque and dates back to the 18th century. (1730-1733) designed by the architect Carlo Martinuzzi who was inspired by the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. Following the earthquake of 1895, the church was renovated in a neo-baroque style both in the facade and in the interior decorations and related mosaics. The ceiling frescoes are the work of the Baroque painter Fran Jelovšek and the altar decorations are by Valentin Metzinger. Frankly interesting, but not essential in the visit of the city which offers many other churches and monuments of greater artistic value.

Lo C (3 years ago)
Pretty church away from the city center. Quiet. Free visit.

Romana Milašinović (5 years ago)
Very nice church.It is in the center.I am delighted.It is definitely worth a visit.

Darko Perovsek (6 years ago)
My baptism at St. Peter’s church in Ljubljana happened in 1949. The church was built in 1472. Murals and artwork is preserved.

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Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

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