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Visit the Church

The Church of St. James (Slovene: Župnijska cerkev sv. Jakoba) in Ljubljana is a striking example of early Baroque architecture, rich in history and artistic heritage.

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History

Early Gothic origins (15th century): The current Baroque church stands on a site occupied by a Gothic church built by Augustinian canons in the early 1400s

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Church Services

Come In. Find Peace.

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Living Stones (Pietre Vive)

You are invited into a deeper experience, seeing the church as a “living stone” of faith and culture.

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Concerts

We are inviting You to the concerts performing at the St. James Church

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Contact

We like to help you.

St. Jamesʼs Church in Ljubljana, built between 1613 and 1615 for the needs of the Jesuit college in the city, is a true jewel of Baroque art. Its interior is adorned with exceptional stone altars featuring sculptures by Francesco Robba, the Groppelli brothers, Jacopo Contieri, and Angelo Putti; the richly stuccoed Chapel of St. Francis Xavier; and the famous Goršič organ from 1883.

In 1886, the nave vault was repainted by Jurij Šubic, and after the 1895 earthquake, the exterior was renovated by Raimund Jeblinger.

Today, the church is considered one of Ljubljanaʼs most important cultural Monuments.

Upcoming Concerts:

Meditations by the Altars in Church of St. James

The Society of Jesus – the Jesuits

St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556) founded the Jesuit order (SJ – Societas Jesu).

The Society of Jesus was established at a time when the Church was shaken by reform movements initiated by Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli. During the Catholic Reformation, the Jesuits gained significant influence at royal courts and among the upper classes. With their school system, they became leaders in education and were also successful in pastoral work through preaching, spiritual exercises, and the establishment of congregations and confraternities. In the arts, they were key promoters of the new Baroque style. They developed theatrical activities which, in the 17th century, represented the peak of European theater. Through missionary work, they also gained recognition on other continents.

More about Jesuits and Jesuits College in Ljubljana

The Jesuit College in Ljubljana

1596
Archduke Ferdinand founded a Jesuit college in Ljubljana, branching from the Jesuit college in Graz.

1597
In January, the first three Jesuits arrived in Ljubljana from Graz. Their settlement was initially encouraged by Bishop Urban Textor (1543–1558), and later realized through the efforts of Bishop Janez Tavčar (1580–1597), who had studied at the Jesuit college in Vienna.

The Jesuits were granted space near the Church of St. James for the construction of their college. This site had previously housed the Augustinian monastery (1494–1555), later turned into the imperial hospital (1555–1597). The old Church of St. James was partially refurbished, and the poorhouse buildings were demolished. Since more space was needed, the abbot of the Cistercian monastery in Kostanjevica na Krki donated a monastery house next to the church, and Bishop Tavčar purchased two adjacent houses. The Jesuits themselves bought around thirty mostly wooden and already abandoned houses.

Notable Alumni of the Jesuit College in Ljubljana