Franciscan Church of the Annunciation

Frančiškanska cerkev Marijinega oznanjenja

17th-century Baroque church with a salmon-pink facade – the icon of Ljubljana's main square

The Franciscan Church of the Annunciation (Frančiškanska cerkev Marijinega oznanjenja) is a Baroque church built between 1646 and 1660, standing on Prešeren Square in the heart of Ljubljana. Its salmon-pink facade is one of the city's most recognised visual landmarks, visible from every angle of the square.

The church occupies the northern side of the square, 50 metres from the Triple Bridge. You cannot miss it – the pink facade is immediately visible from any street leading to the square.

Admission is free. A visit takes 15–30 minutes. The church is active, with daily masses.

Location

On the Map

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About

What's Here

The facade was completed in Baroque style around 1700 and redesigned in 1858 by Franz Kurz zum Thurn und Goldenstein. Originally red – the symbolic colour of the Franciscan order – it faded over time to its distinctive salmon pink. Atop the facade sits a copper statue of the Virgin Mary, Ljubljana's largest Madonna.

Inside, the early-Baroque layout features a single nave with two rows of side chapels. The main altar, created by Italian sculptor Francesco Robba in 1736, is the centrepiece. Wall frescoes by Matevž Langus date to the mid-19th century. After the 1895 Ljubljana earthquake damaged the ceiling paintings, Slovenian impressionist Matej Sternen replaced them in 1935–1936 using Baroque trompe-l'oeil technique. To the left of the main altar is a glass-fronted coffin containing the relics of Saint Deodatus.

Adjoining the church is a 13th-century Franciscan monastery housing Slovenia's richest monastic library – over 70,000 books including incunables and medieval manuscripts. Library access requires a separate ticket.

Why Visit

The Highlights

Main altar – crafted by Francesco Robba (1736), Ljubljana's foremost Baroque sculptor

Ceiling frescoes – painted by Matej Sternen (1935–1936) in trompe-l'oeil technique after the 1895 earthquake

Pink facade – originally red (Franciscan order colour), faded to salmon-pink and preserved that way

Monastery library – 70,000+ books, incunables, and medieval manuscripts

Heritage status – protected as a cultural monument of national significance since 2008

History

Past & Present

The church was built between 1646 and 1660 on a site where two or possibly three earlier churches had stood. Construction was managed by Francesco Olivieri and Francesco Rosina. The bell towers were added around 1720. Until the late 18th century, the monastery belonged to Augustinian monks before passing to the Franciscans, who expanded and embellished the complex. The facade took its current form in 1858.

The 1895 Ljubljana earthquake cracked the ceiling and ruined Langus's original frescoes. New ceiling paintings were completed by Matej Sternen in 1935–1936. The most recent facade restoration took place in 1993. In 2008, the church was designated a cultural monument of national significance of Slovenia.

For Visitors

Visitor Information

Tickets & Prices

Admission is free.

Access to the monastery library requires a separate ticket (inquire on site).

Rules & Restrictions

Dress code: covered shoulders and knees. During services, tourist visits are limited – maintain silence. Photography is allowed without flash. The church closes for a lunch break from 12:30 to 13:30.

On-Site Facilities

On site:

Small church shop selling religious items.

Nearby:

Numerous cafés and restaurants on Prešeren Square and surrounding streets.

Accessibility: Entrance is at pavement level with no steps.

Getting There

Transport & Directions

Location:

Directly on Prešeren Square, address: Prešernov trg 4.

From anywhere in central Ljubljana:

– 1–5 minutes' walk from the Triple Bridge or Dragon Bridge

– Bus no. 1 – Pošta stop

From the railway station:

– 10-minute walk along Miklošičeva cesta

When to go

Best time to visit

Visiting hours: Daily 8:00–12:30 and 13:30–20:00 (closed for lunch). Mornings have fewer visitors, though masses are held.

Duration: 15–30 minutes for the interior.

Avoid: During masses (7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:15, 16:00, 19:00, 21:00) tourist viewing is restricted. The church closes after 20:00.

FAQ

Common Questions

Admission is free. Access to the monastery library requires a separate ticket.

Daily 8:00–12:30 and 13:30–20:00. The church closes for a lunch break between 12:30 and 13:30.

Yes – covered shoulders and knees. The church is active, so modest clothing is expected.

Yes, without flash. Photography during services is discouraged.

15–30 minutes. Key highlights are the Robba altar, Sternen ceiling frescoes, and the relics of Saint Deodatus.

Yes, morning masses (7:00–11:15) are conducted in several languages including English, French, and Italian. The 16:00 mass is in Croatian.

Prešeren Square with the poet's monument, the Triple Bridge, and St. Nicholas Cathedral are all within a 1–3-minute walk.

The facade was originally painted red, the symbolic colour of the Franciscan order. Over time the paint faded to salmon-pink, and locals chose to keep it that way.

Distance