Description of the attraction
The Bishop's Palace is part of the ensemble of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, with which it is connected by a covered gallery. However, its history and architectural features make it a distinct tourist attraction.
The history of its appearance is connected with the strongest earthquake that happened in Ljubljana in 1511. Then a significant part of the city's buildings was destroyed, including the most beautiful episcopal palace in the Baroque style. The author of the project of the new palace was the well-known architect, versatile scientist Augustin Prigl. A year later, on the site of the palace destroyed by the earthquake, a new one appeared - in the style of the Renaissance period, distinguished by the nobility and harmony of lines. After a certain period of time, it was decided to rebuild this beautiful building, returning it to the baroque features - perhaps in order for it to be in harmony with the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, with which it forms a single complex. Only the first floor remained untouched, which today gives us the opportunity to present the beauty of the first building. In general, the ensemble benefited from the reconstruction: to connect the Palace and the cathedral, the architect came up with an unusual gallery in the form of a bridge, it greatly adorns this part of the city.
The palace has been celebrated in the history of Slovenia over the centuries. When Ljubljana was the capital of the Kingdom of Illyria (part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire), the Palace was a royal residence for a long time. During Napoleon's advance, the emperor made it his headquarters. And after the victory over Napoleonic troops, in 1812, Alexander I, the victorious Tsar, stayed here.
Currently, the Palace is the property of the Slovenian Catholic Metropolitanate.
