Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Šiška (1924-31). Jože Plečnik drew inspiration from early Christian basilicas when designing the spacious church nave. The ceiling is wooden and flat, surrounded by a band of windows. The center of the church is an altar with a high pyramidal roof, shifted toward the middle, which was intended to establish a more direct contact with the faithful. The hall space is surrounded by a procession corridor, separated from the hall by mighty pillars. The unusual church bell tower was completed only in 1931. Plans for a new church began as early as 1906, as the old one, the Church of St. Bartholomew, no longer met the needs of the parish. However, construction began only after Jože Plečnik created new designs in 1924. This project was Plečnik's first commission after returning to Ljubljana. Since the location was not initially determined, Plečnik wanted to build the church on top of the Šiška Hill with monumental access. The Franciscans, however, purchased a plot that was (at the time) in the middle of fields, but today is located along Verovškova Street.
The interior space is square in shape, without a pronounced axis. The central nave is deepened and surrounded by a pillared walkway intended for processions. The monumental brick pillars reflect Plečnik's classical convictions. He left very little room for other designers in the interior and was not in favor of the frescoes they painted. He also personally designed most of the furnishings, including the altars and lamps. Construction began on April 19, 1925, with the blessing of the site and the laying of the foundation stone. On October 3, 1926, the church and the altar were blessed by the Bishop of Ljubljana, Anton Bonaventura Jeglič, and the Bishop of Maribor, Andrej Karlin. Construction then continued with the exterior and side sections. On July 8, 1928, the church became the parish church of the newly established Parish of St. Francis in Šiška. In 1930, construction of the bell tower began, which was completed in October 1931. The interior altars were also Plečnik's work, while the frescoes were painted by the academic painter and Franciscan Father Blaž Farčnik. The "Heavenly Gloria" is thus located on the wall behind the altar.
In 2001, the church was declared a cultural monument of local significance, and in 2009, it was further declared a cultural monument of national importance as part of Plečnik's works. In September 2011, a renovation of the bells and their supporting structure was carried out, as only two bells were still functioning due to system wear, and the oak wood structure was decaying in some parts and thus dangerous. The church has 4 bells: 1 bronze and 3 iron. The Church of St. Francis of Assisi was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 28, 2021, as part of the entry "The works of Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana – Human Centred Urban Design."
Sources:
"Description of the immovable cultural heritage unit, record number 331". Cultural Heritage Register Viewer (Cultural Heritage Protection Act, Official Gazette of the RS, No. 16/2008). Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia. Uradni-list.si - Decision on the proclamation of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Šiška as a cultural monument of local significance.
Uradni-list.si - Decree on the proclamation of the works of architect Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana as cultural monuments of national importance.