Description of the attraction
Križanke - a church located near the Triple Bridge and the Grubber Palace, has a very interesting history.
In the 13th century, the Order of the Teutonic Knights settled in the southwestern part of the city, continuing its expansion to the east at that time. As their residence, they built a monastery complex, quite extensive, with a Gothic-style church. These crusaders were called Krizhniki. Hence the name of the church Krizhanke originated. In the 15th century, the decline of the Teutonic Order began, a century later the knights left Ljubljana.
At the beginning of the 18th century, another church was built on the site of the church, designed by the eminent Domenico Rossi, one of the best Venetian architects. From the Gothic structure of the Teutons, a bas-relief with the image of the Madonna remained. Now it is on display at the National Gallery. Great importance was attached to the construction of the new church, respectively, the best painters at the Viennese royal court were sent to decorate it, and the new church was equipped with expensive furniture and rich decorations. It was given the name of the Church of Mary the Helper, but in life and through the centuries it has remained the Church of Krizhanke.
Many valuables and side altars, painted by royal artists, were destroyed in a fire in the 19th century. In 1859, the church was restored, the main altar was painted by the famous artist from Vienna Hans Canon.
The monastery complex has also been rebuilt several times. In the middle of the last century, the project was undertaken by the best architect of that time, Jože Plečnik, the creator of the Triple Place and other Ljubljana attractions. He turned the former monastery into an open-air theater - the Križanke Summer Theater. Now, in these ancient interiors, the traditional Ljubljana Summer Festival is held, and the Knight's Courtyard becomes a venue for classical chamber music concerts during the festival days.
