The first study tour organized by the EAHN was a tremendous success. Devoted to Slovenia, it combined meetings of architectural historians with the discovery of the very rich architectural legacy, both urban and rural, in Ljubljana and its surroundings.

Thanks to Breda Mihelic, a researcher affiliated with Ljubljana’s Urban Institute and a  professor of architectural history at the University of Primorska, and to Carmen Popescu, member of EAHN’s board, attendants to this tree-day trip (July 7 to 9) benefited from visits led by scholarly authorities and were able to meet Slovenian colleagues.

The very full program began with a brilliant contextualization of Ljubljana’s urban and architectural history, from the Roman wall to the Medieval and Baroque heritage of the capital city, to be implemented in subsequent visits. As soon as touring began, we were introduced to the key figure of modern Slovenian architecture, Joze Plečnik.  We were given a tour of his own house, transformed into a museum, and visited, in the erudite company of Gojko Zupan, from the Slovenian Ministry of Culture, Plečnik’s National Library and several of his urban design projects. The next day, we saw Plečnik’s market, the art nouveau district, apartment buildings built between the two wars, as well as designs implemented under Yugoslavia’s communist rule. In addition to Plečnik’s cemetery right outside Ljubljana, we visited the medieval town of Kamnik and the Velesovo Adergas monastery. The third and last day of the visit took us to the Adriatic Coast, where we have benefited from the excellent guidance of Stanko Kokole, professor at the Institute for Historical Studies of the University of Primorska (Science and Research Centre of Koper). On our way to the Coast, we visited the Gothic church of Hrastovlje and its famous frescoes representing, among many themes, the Danse of the Death. We made the trip between the marvelous port cities of Piran et Koper (Capodistria) – both under Venetian rule for centuries - on a specially chartered boat.

Meeting the dean of the school of architecture in Ljubljana, Professor Peter Gabrijelčič, was very enlightening, as the lively conversation related not only to general concerns over architectural education, but also to issues affecting design and historic preservation. We were also privileged to visit the brand new headquarters of the Mediterranean Heritage Institute in Piran, where we were able to talk to several scholars in residence.

And, last but not least, we savored local culinary specialties (who will forget the strukli!), and took fully advantage of the convivial nature of our group.