St. Nicholas’s Cathedral

Saint Nicholas cathedral and its green dome

The Ljubljana audio-guided tour invites you to quiet contemplation before Saint Nicholas cathedral, recognisable among a thousand by its great green dome and its two twin towers. It is the religious heart of the city and one of its landmarks easiest to identify from the banks of the Ljubljanica.

An eventful history

Originally there was here a Romanesque church, mentioned from 1262. After a great fire in 1361, it was rebuilt in a Gothic style. A century later, in 1461, Ljubljana became the seat of a bishopric and the church was promoted to cathedral. But the respite was brief: a new fire struck it in 1469. The present baroque building, topped by its dome, was raised at the beginning of the eighteenth century, a witness to the long spiritual history of the city.

What there is to see

The baroque interior dazzles with its frescoes, its gilding and its sculptures, in an atmosphere conducive to contemplation. The great dome, painted in trompe-l'œil, and the ceiling frescoes are among the most remarkable in the country. Outside, the bronze doors, adorned with scenes of Slovenian history and the faces of the bishops, deserve to be lingered over. A place of faith to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

Saint Nicholas cathedral stands near the Market Square, in the heart of the old town of Ljubljana. An active place of worship, it is visited with respect for the contemplation of the faithful; access is generally free during opening hours, which may vary according to services. Appropriate dress is appreciated.

How can you recognise Saint Nicholas cathedral?

By its great green dome and its two twin towers, visible from the banks of the Ljubljanica.

How long has there been a church on this site?

A Romanesque church is mentioned there from 1262; the building was rebuilt several times before the present eighteenth-century baroque cathedral.