The Ursuline Gymnasium – Plečnik’s School of Light, Order, and Quiet Monumentality
The Ursuline Gymnasium, often referred to simply as Plečnik’s Gymnasium, is one of the finest examples of how architect Jože Plečnik shaped educational space as a complete architectural experience. Built between 1938 and 1947, during a period of profound upheaval in Europe, the school nevertheless radiates calm, order, and light—values Plečnik closely associated with education and learning.
Orientation as Architectural Pedagogy
The building is laid out along an east–west axis on Šubičeva Street, a choice that was anything but accidental. Plečnik understood orientation as a fundamental architectural principle that determines the rhythm of the day, the movement of light, and the way people experience space.
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The classrooms face south, allowing abundant natural light, warmth, and a pleasant learning environment. For Plečnik, southern orientation was ideal for spaces dedicated to intellectual work—light was meant to encourage clarity of thought and well‑being.
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The corridors face north, another deliberate decision. Northern light is soft, even, and free of harsh shadows. The corridors were conceived as multi‑purpose spaces—not merely passageways but places for gathering, exhibitions, quiet study, or short breaks. Their northern orientation gives them a calm, almost contemplative character.
This duality—southern light for learning, northern light for retreat—reflects Plečnik’s understanding of architecture as a pedagogical tool.
Architecture of Order and Humanism
Plečnik’s gymnasium is not monumental in the traditional sense, but in a quiet, humane way. Its façade is orderly, rhythmic, and free of unnecessary ornamentation, yet unmistakably Plečnikian. The use of natural materials, the precise proportions between windows and wall surfaces, and the carefully crafted details create a sense of order that Plečnik believed was essential to education.
The school was meant to be a place that educates through its architecture—through light, clarity, order, and respect for space.
Interior – A Space for Learning and Community
Plečnik designed the interior to support both individual and collective activity. The corridors, wide and bright, were intended as multi‑functional spaces where:
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conversations could unfold
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teachers and students could meet
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exhibitions could be displayed
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spontaneous gatherings could take place
The classrooms are simple yet bright and airy. Plečnik believed that learning spaces should be clean, clear, and free of unnecessary distractions, allowing the mind to focus.
A School as Part of a Larger Urban Composition
The Ursuline Gymnasium is not an isolated object but part of Plečnik’s broader vision for Ljubljana. Its location along Šubičeva Street connects it to:
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the National and University Library (NUK)
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Vegova Street
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Congress Square
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the art district around the Moderna galerija
Plečnik placed the school within an urban axis that links culture, knowledge, and public space. In this way, the gymnasium becomes part of a larger narrative—one in which Ljubljana is envisioned as a city of humanism.
The Ursuline Gymnasium is more than a school building. It is architectural pedagogy, teaching through light, order, and space. Plečnik created a school that shapes not only knowledge but also character—a place where tradition meets modernity, functionality meets symbolism, and individuality meets community.
At a time when we often question what learning environments should be, Plečnik’s gymnasium remains an inspiring answer: a space that elevates rather than burdens.