Ljubljana Cathedral (Church of St. Nicholas)
Dolničarjeva ulica 1, Ljubljana, Slovenia
With its enormous green dome and twin clock towers, the St. Nicholas’ Cathedral (Stolnica Sv. Nikolaja) towers over Ljubljana Old Town and is one of the city’s must-see attractions. The cathedral’s lavish interior is its biggest draw; nearly every inch of the inside is covered in art from the baroque-style frescos and portraits to the magnificent carved altar and bronze doors.
As one of Ljubljana most noteworthy landmarks, a visit to the St. Nicholas’ Cathedral is included in most private and small-group walking tours of Ljubljana Old Town along with other popular attractions like the Ljubljana Castle, Dragon Bridge, and Preseren Square. Visitors are welcome to explore the church on their own or attend one of the several daily Mass services.
- St. Nicholas’ Cathedral is a must-see for first time visitors to Ljubljana
- Art lovers won’t want to miss the ceiling frescoes and ornately carved doors.
- No admission fee is required to enter the church.
- This is a functioning church so visitors are asked to visit quietly and dress modestly if attending Mass.
Located in the heart of Ljubljana Old Town, the St. Nicholas’ Cathedral is just a short walk from the Dragon Bridge, Prešeren Square, and other popular city attractions. The cathedral is located in a pedestrian-only zone so plan to park outside of Old Town and explore by foot or public bus. Other options include taking a guided bike tour of the city or hopping from attraction to attraction on the city’s Urban electric train.
The St. Nicholas’ Cathedral is open daily, year-round. Mass takes place several times daily and choir recitals and chamber orchestra concerts are held in the cathedral throughout the year. The cathedral is typically open to the public from 10am to 12pm and from 3pm to 6pm daily, but you can check current opening hours and Mass times at the tourist information center located near the Old Town Square.
In 1996, two new bronze sculpted doors were commissioned in honor of a visit by Pope John Paul II. Both doors are works of art by the Slovene sculptor, Mirsad Begi?, and are not to be missed. The front door, also known as the Slovene Door, represents Slovene history in commemoration of the 1250th anniversary of Christianity in Slovenia. The south door, known as the Ljubljana Door, depicts the recent history of the Ljubljana dioceses and features portraits of the 20th-century bishops.
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