# Jože Plečnik

> Slovenian architect

**Wikidata**: [Q314886](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314886)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jože_Plečnik)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/joze-plecnik

## Summary
Jože Plečnik was a Slovenian architect, urban planner, designer, and teacher who significantly influenced the architectural landscapes of Ljubljana, Prague, and Vienna. A member of the Vienna Secession, he is renowned for his works including the National and University Library of Slovenia, the Žale Central Cemetery, and the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord in Prague. His career spanned multiple political eras, including the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, during which he also served as a university educator.

## Biography
- **Born:** January 23, 1872
- **Nationality:** Austrian (Cisleithania), Yugoslav (Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes; Kingdom of Yugoslavia), Slovenian
- **Education:** Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
- **Known for:** Architecture, urban planning, and design; creating key landmarks in Ljubljana, Prague, and Vienna
- **Employer(s):** Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, University of Ljubljana
- **Field(s):** Architecture, urban planning, design, university teaching

## Contributions
Jože Plečnik's contributions are defined by a diverse portfolio of architectural and urban design projects that blend classical and modernist elements. In Vienna, he designed the Zacherlhaus. In Prague, his most significant work is the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord, which began construction in 1928. His impact on Ljubljana is profound, where he designed the National and University Library of Slovenia, the Žale Central Cemetery (established in 1906), Bežigrad Stadium, French Revolution Square, Trnovo Bridge, and the Triple Bridge. Beyond his built works, Plečnik contributed to the academic field as a teacher at the University of Ljubljana, the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, and the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. He was also a member of influential organizations such as the Vienna Secession, the Royal Institute of British Architects, and the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

## FAQs
**Where did Jože Plečnik receive his education?**
Jože Plečnik was educated at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.

**What are some of Jože Plečnik's most notable architectural works?**
His notable works include the National and University Library of Slovenia, the Žale Central Cemetery, the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord in Prague, the Zacherlhaus in Vienna, and Bežigrad Stadium in Ljubljana.

**Which professional organizations was Jože Plečnik associated with?**
He was a member of the Vienna Secession, the Royal Institute of British Architects, and the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

**What awards and honors did Jože Plečnik receive?**
He received the Prešeren Award and the Plečnik Award, as well as honorary doctorates from the Vienna Technical University and honorary citizenship.

**In what cities did Jože Plečnik primarily work?**
Plečnik worked primarily in Vienna, Prague, and Ljubljana, leaving a significant architectural legacy in each city.

## Why They Matter
Jože Plečnik matters because his work defined the architectural identity of Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, transforming it into a modern city while retaining historical references. His involvement with the Vienna Secession placed him at the forefront of early modernist architecture, influencing the transition from historicism to modernism in Central Europe. His designs, such as the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord, remain iconic landmarks in Prague. As an educator, he shaped generations of architects through his roles at various universities. His ability to work across different political regimes—from the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia—demonstrates a versatility and enduring relevance in the field of urban planning and design.

## Notable For
- Member of the Vienna Secession (group of Austrian artists and architects)
- Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects
- Member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts
- Recipient of the Prešeren Award
- Recipient of the Plečnik Award
- Honorary doctor of the Vienna Technical University
- Recipient of honorary citizenship
- Design of the National and University Library of Slovenia
- Design of the Žale Central Cemetery
- Design of the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord (Prague)
- Design of the Zacherlhaus (Vienna)
- Design of Bežigrad Stadium
- Design of French Revolution Square
- Design of Trnovo Bridge
- Design of the Triple Bridge

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Jože Plečnik was born on January 23, 1872. He pursued his education in the arts at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, a prestigious institution founded in 1692. This training provided the foundation for his future work in architecture and design.

### Career and Teaching
Plečnik had a multifaceted career as an architect, urban planner, designer, and teacher. He served as a university teacher at several prominent institutions. His academic affiliations included the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, and the University of Ljubljana. Through these roles, he influenced the development of architectural education and practice in Europe.

### Architectural Works in Vienna
During his time in Vienna, which was then part of Cisleithania (the northern and western part of Austro-Hungary), Plečnik contributed to the city's architectural landscape. One of his significant works from this period is the Zacherlhaus, a notable building in Vienna.

### Architectural Works in Prague
Plečnik's work extended to Prague, where he designed the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord. This Roman Catholic church, with its inception in 1928, stands as a major example of his architectural style in the Czech Republic.

### Architectural and Urban Planning in Ljubljana
Plečnik's impact on Ljubljana is extensive. He was responsible for designing numerous key structures and public spaces that define the city. His notable works in Slovenia include:
*   **National and University Library of Slovenia:** The national library of the republic.
*   **Žale Central Cemetery:** A cemetery established in 1906, where Plečnik's design redefined the concept of a cemetery.
*   **Bežigrad Stadium:** A significant sports venue in the city.
*   **French Revolution Square:** A prominent square in Ljubljana.
*   **Trnovo Bridge:** A bridge located in the Trnovo district of Ljubljana.
*   **Triple Bridge:** A famous architectural feature in the city.

### Professional Affiliations and Memberships
Throughout his career, Plečnik was associated with several professional bodies. He was a member of the Vienna Secession, a group of Austrian artists and architects formed in 1897. He was also affiliated with the Royal Institute of British Architects, a professional body for architects in the United Kingdom, and the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the national academy of Slovenia.

### Awards and Recognition
Plečnik received significant recognition for his contributions to architecture. He was a recipient of the Prešeren Award, a Slovenian award established in 1946. He also received the Plečnik Award, a Slovenian architectural award established in 1972. Additionally, he was honored with an honorary doctorate from the Vienna Technical University and held honorary citizenship.

### Citizenship and Historical Context
Jože Plečnik's life and career spanned a period of significant political change in Central Europe. His citizenships reflected the shifting borders of the region: he was a citizen of Cisleithania (Austria-Hungary), the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and Slovenia. He lived through the existence of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1929–1945) and the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia (1945–1963). He died on January 7, 1957.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. The Fine Art Archive
4. [Source](http://arch-pavouk.cz/index.php/architekti/162-plecnik-josip)
5. [Source](http://mk.arhiv-spletisc.gov.si/fileadmin/mk.gov.si/pageuploads/Ministrstvo/o_ministrstvu/Presernov_sklad/2016/do_2016_Presernove_nagrade.pdf)
6. [Source](https://www.hrad.cz/cs/ceska-republika/statni-vyznamenani/rad-t.-g.-masaryka/seznam-vyznamenanych)
7. Encyclopaedia of Architects, Vienna 1770–1945
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. CiNii Research
11. SNAC
12. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
13. Plečnik, Jože
14. Croatian Encyclopedia
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. CONOR.SI
17. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
18. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiarch.php)
19. archINFORM
20. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands