Plečnik’s central intervention was the creation of a monumental staircase. In this project, the architect experimented for the first time with various types of local stone and their aesthetic effects. The staircase, made from Nabrežina stone, was anchored on only one side, which led the building inspection to raise concerns about insufficient structural support and demand reinforcement. Plečnik responded by adding a supporting structure, consisting of a polished steel beam from which individual steel clamps were extended to hold each step.
The staircase walls are clad in Podpeč limestone, creating a dark but solemn atmosphere. The pillar is the main motif of Plečnik’s design, appearing in various forms: from monumental granite columns on the ground floor and a landing column between the first and second floors with a uniquely shaped capital featuring a sphere, wrapped in bands bearing proverbs, to dark marble Minoan columns at the top of the staircase, and manneristically designed wooden columns on the attic landing. The ceilings and floors of each story are more richly designed than the walls. Stone is the dominant material up to the top floor; only in the attic are the load-bearing columns made of wood, and the marble flooring of the lower-level landings is replaced by parquet arranged in octagonal coffers. For additional lighting, Plečnik designed metal candelabras shaped like columns and slender vessels.
Načrt tlorisa 1. nadstropja pred in po prenovi, arhiv ZAL
Floor plan before and after the renovation, The Historical Archives of Ljubljana
V mošnji ni brata ne sestre.
Palace of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia
Chamber of Commerce, Craft, and Industry
In the second half of the 19th century, Ljubljana began to expand into the area between the old town centre and Tivoli Park. A part of this development was the Neo-Renaissance palace at 10 Beethovnova Street, built in 1881 for Franc von Gariboldi, based on plans by Viljem Treo.
The Chamber of Commerce, Craft, and Industry, the oldest Slovene professional organization and an employers' association, was founded in 1851. Initially, it operated from the home of its first president, Lambert Carl Luckmann, but after his house was demolished in 1894, it rented space in the Gariboldi Palace—which it eventually purchased in 1912. Since the residential building was not suitable for the Chamber’s business premises, a major renovation was undertaken between 1925 and 1927, based on plans by Jože Plečnik. The renovation represents the architect’s first major secular work in Ljubljana, and also the only project where he had sufficient financial resources to fully realize all his ideas. This is reflected in the use of expensive materials and the richly appointed interior, in which the architect, in his unique manner, varied architectural elements from Egyptian, Etruscan, Minoan, and classical antiquity.
Arhitektura: Edvard Ravnikar
Leto nastanka: 1960 – 1982
Architecture: Viljem Treo (1881),
Jože Plečnik, France Tomažič
Year of construction: 1881 and 1925–1927
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On the first floor, in front of the entrance to the assembly hall, attention is drawn to a colourful coffered ceiling. By the entrance to the hall stands a lamp, reminiscent in design of the Solomonic columns. Plečnik had originally envisioned it in reddish Hotavlje marble, but later replaced the already crafted column with a lamp made of tombac, produced at Mašek’s foundry in Prague. This is the only furnishing not made by local craftsmen.
The assembly hall itself is distinguished by a richly decorated ceiling. This central, ceremonial space contains no chandeliers; instead, light bulbs are placed in the centre of the ceiling coffers. The wall panelling and parquet flooring with deltoid motifs also contribute significantly to the room’s lavish appearance. The hall’s furnishings show clear parallels with the furniture Plečnik designed at the same time for Prague Castle. Unfortunately, a large part of the furnishings was lost during World War II.
Great Hall, 1927, photo: Tomažič, Ogrin; MGML documentation / Plečnik Collection
Palace of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia
Chamber of Commerce, Craft, and Industry
In the second half of the 19th century, Ljubljana began to expand into the area between the old town centre and Tivoli Park. A part of this development was the Neo-Renaissance palace at 10 Beethovnova Street, built in 1881 for Franc von Gariboldi, based on plans by Viljem Treo.
The Chamber of Commerce, Craft, and Industry, the oldest Slovene professional organization and an employers' association, was founded in 1851. Initially, it operated from the home of its first president, Lambert Carl Luckmann, but after his house was demolished in 1894, it rented space in the Gariboldi Palace—which it eventually purchased in 1912. Since the residential building was not suitable for the Chamber’s business premises, a major renovation was undertaken between 1925 and 1927, based on plans by Jože Plečnik. The renovation represents the architect’s first major secular work in Ljubljana, and also the only project where he had sufficient financial resources to fully realize all his ideas. This is reflected in the use of expensive materials and the richly appointed interior, in which the architect, in his unique manner, varied architectural elements from Egyptian, Etruscan, Minoan, and classical antiquity.
Architecture: Viljem Treo (1881),
Jože Plečnik, France Tomažič (1927)
Year of construction: 1881 and 1925–1927
Arhitektura: Savin Sever
Leto nastanka: 1962–1963
Sloga je od Boga.
The courtyard façade of the annex features striped rustication resembling log construction. In the courtyard, there is also a fountain designed by the architect, with a rectangular column topped by an imitation vase. Nearby originally stood a stone column on a pedestal, which was later moved to the courtyard of the building at 4 Prešeren Street.
As part of the renovation, the previously unused attic was converted into office space, and most significantly, a new wing with a monumental staircase was added to the courtyard side of the building. The Chamber’s representative rooms were also fitted out. Due to the attic conversion, a row of rectangular windows was added on the exterior between the roof cornice and the window pediments of the first floor.
Tuje peči so mrzle.
The courtyard façade of the annex features striped rustication resembling log construction. In the courtyard, there is also a fountain designed by the architect, with a rectangular column topped by an imitation vase. Nearby originally stood a stone column on a pedestal, which was later moved to the courtyard of the building at 4 Prešeren Street.
As part of the renovation, the previously unused attic was converted into office space, and most significantly, a new wing with a monumental staircase was added to the courtyard side of the building. The Chamber’s representative rooms were also fitted out. Due to the attic conversion, a row of rectangular windows was added on the exterior between the roof cornice and the window pediments of the first floor.
Courtyard façade of the building, 1925, photo: France Tomažič, from the book Plečnik’s Palace: Home of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia, D. Prelovšek, Ljubljana, Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia, 1998
View of the inner courtyard through the round staircase window, 1926, photo: MGML documentation / Plečnik Collection
Fountain in the courtyard, 1927, photo: Tomažič, Ogrin; MGML documentation / Plečnik Collection
Column that once stood in the courtyard, 1927, photo: Tomažič, Ogrin; MGML documentation / Plečnik Collection
Pravična reč dolg užitek.
On the first floor, in front of the entrance to the assembly hall, attention is drawn to a colourful coffered ceiling. By the entrance to the hall stands a lamp, reminiscent in design of the Solomonic columns. Plečnik had originally envisioned it in reddish Hotavlje marble, but later replaced the already crafted column with a lamp made of tombac, produced at Mašek’s foundry in Prague. This is the only furnishing not made by local craftsmen.
Zamolčano ni pisano ne brano.
The assembly hall itself is distinguished by a richly decorated ceiling. This central, ceremonial space contains no chandeliers; instead, light bulbs are placed in the centre of the ceiling coffers. The wall panelling and parquet flooring with deltoid motifs also contribute significantly to the room’s lavish appearance. The hall’s furnishings show clear parallels with the furniture Plečnik designed at the same time for Prague Castle. Unfortunately, a large part of the furnishings was lost during World War II.
Great Hall, 1927, photo: Tomažič, Ogrin; MGML documentation / Plečnik Collection
Od miru glava boli.
Text by Franci Lazarini
Translation: Jerca Kos
Sources and notes:
The slogans are part of Plečnik’s interior redesign and are written in various locations throughout the building.
Image 1: The Chamber building shortly after renovation, 1926, photo: documentation MGML / Plečnik Collection.
Image 2: Inscription in the publication about the renovated building of the Chamber of Commerce, Crafts and Industry in Ljubljana – the inscription also appears on the commemorative plaque in the building’s entrance hall, 1926, photo: documentation MGML / Plečnik Collection.
Image 3: Courtyard façade of the building, 1925, photo: France Tomažič, from the book Plečnik’s Palace: Home of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia, Prelovšek D., Ljubljana, Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia, 1998.
Image 4: View of the inner courtyard through the round stairwell window, 1926, photo: documentation MGML / Plečnik Collection.
Image 5: Fountain in the courtyard, 1927, photo: Tomažič, Ogrin; documentation MGML / Plečnik Collection.
Image 6: Column that once stood in the courtyard, 1927, photo: Tomažič, Ogrin; documentation MGML / Plečnik Collection.
Image 7: Façade of the renovated building of the Chamber of Commerce, Crafts and Industry (Adaptation of the Chamber of Commerce and Crafts), Ljubljana, 1925, drawing 1. Held by the Historical Archives of Ljubljana; City of Ljubljana: Building Registry, SI ZAL LJU / 0493, Reg IV A /, 1435–1925.
Image 8: Floor plan and site plan of the palace from 1881, Kreinische Baugesellschaft. Held by the Historical Archives of Ljubljana; City of Ljubljana: Building Registry, SI ZAL LJU / 0493, R-005-008-0.
Image 9: First-floor plan of the renovated building of the Chamber of Commerce, Crafts and Industry (Adaptation of the Chamber of Commerce and Crafts), Ljubljana, 1925, drawing 2. Held by the Historical Archives of Ljubljana; City of Ljubljana: Building Registry, SI ZAL LJU / 0493, Reg IV A /, 1435–1925.
Images 10–29: Archival photographs of the building’s interior, 1926–1927, documentation MGML / Plečnik Collection.
Image 30: Great Hall, 1927, photo: Tomažič, Ogrin; documentation MGML / Plečnik Collection.
Plečnik’s central intervention was the creation of a monumental staircase. In this project, the architect experimented for the first time with various types of local stone and their aesthetic effects. The staircase, made from Nabrežina stone, was anchored on only one side, which led the building inspection to raise concerns about insufficient structural support and demand reinforcement. Plečnik responded by adding a supporting structure, consisting of a polished steel beam from which individual steel clamps were extended to hold each step.
The staircase walls are clad in Podpeč limestone, creating a dark but solemn atmosphere. The pillar is the main motif of Plečnik’s design, appearing in various forms: from monumental granite columns on the ground floor and a landing column between the first and second floors with a uniquely shaped capital featuring a sphere, wrapped in bands bearing proverbs, to dark marble Minoan columns at the top of the staircase, and manneristically designed wooden columns on the attic landing. The ceilings and floors of each story are more richly designed than the walls. Stone is the dominant material up to the top floor; only in the attic are the load-bearing columns made of wood, and the marble flooring of the lower-level landings is replaced by parquet arranged in octagonal coffers. For additional lighting, Plečnik designed metal candelabras shaped like columns and slender vessels.
Načrt tlorisa 1. nadstropja pred in po prenovi, arhiv ZAL