The Franciscan Church of the Annunciation
The pink church is the square’s northern landmark and its most photographed building. It is also a working monastery church — which shapes when you can go in, what you can do inside, and how to behave. Here is what to know before you step out of the sun.
Church and the square’s buildings
The Church of the Annunciation, known as the Franciscan Church, stands on the north side of the square. Slovenia’s heritage record describes its early-Baroque structure, six side chapels and interior works associated with Francesco Robba, Matevž Langus, Matej Sternen and Jože Plečnik. It remains a place of worship; check current visiting arrangements.
The Urbanc department store, designed by Fredrich Sigmundt and completed in 1903, represents the Secession-era commercial architecture around the square. Across the Ljubljanica, the Triple Bridge incorporates the 1842 bridge and two pedestrian bridges designed by Jože Plečnik in 1931–1932.
University of Ljubljana Press senior consultant Matevž Rudolf recommended this open book in his email of 6 November 2026. Edited by Katja Mahnič (2024), it grew from a University of Ljubljana art-history museology project on presenting the Church of the Annunciation. The recommendation is not a review or endorsement of this independent site.
- Built
- 1646–1660, early Baroque
- Position
- Stands on the northern side of Prešeren Square
- Entry
- Free; donations welcome
- Opening
- Generally open to visitors during the day; mass times and closures posted on site
- Status
- Active Franciscan monastery church
Reading the façade
The church was built between 1646 and 1660 and gives the square its warm pink colour. Look up: the façade is organised in two tiers with a triangular gable, and the bell tower rises beside it. The pink plaster is not decoration — it is the original surface, restored over the centuries.
From the square, the façade is the backdrop of the monument; from the river promenade, you see the church’s flank and the tower against the sky, which is the better architectural view.
Inside the church
The interior is baroque: a single wide nave, side chapels, ornate altars and frescoed surfaces. Entry is free and donations are welcome. It is a church in use, not a museum — you may find a service in progress, and then it is better to wait or come back later.
Mass times and any closures are posted at the entrance; there is no single timetable that fits every day of the year, which is why this guide does not print one.
Visiting etiquette
- Dress as you would for any church service — shoulders and knees covered is the safe default.
- Keep quiet; the space is small and echoes carry.
- Photography: ask before photographing people, and never during a service.
- Do not enter the monastery areas that are closed to visitors — follow the signs.
Combine it with
The church is one point on the square, not a separate trip: pair it with the Prešeren monument directly opposite and the Triple Bridge a minute away. If you have an hour, the one-hour walk threads all three together with the market.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Franciscan Church free to enter?
Yes. Entry to the church is free and donations are welcome. The square itself is, of course, free and open around the clock.
What are the opening hours?
The church is generally open to visitors during the day, but hours vary with services and church events. Mass times and notices are posted at the entrance — check there rather than relying on a single printed timetable.
Why is the church pink?
The pink colour comes from its plastered façade. It was built in 1646–1660 in the early Baroque style and is one of the most recognisable buildings in Ljubljana.
Can I attend mass as a visitor?
Yes, visitors are welcome at services. Services are usually in Slovenian; arrive a few minutes early and sit towards the back.
Is the church accessible?
The square and church front are step-free. The interior has a threshold at the entrance; if step-free access matters, ask at the door — the friars are used to the question.
Sources: Visit Ljubljana (Franciscan Church), on-site notices. Checked October 2026.