Urbanc House on Prešeren Square
The corner building where the square meets Čopova Street is Urbanc House, built in 1903 in the Vienna Secession style. Its richly ornamented façade is the single best example of Ljubljana’s modern rebuild, and its ground-floor café has been a meeting point for over a century.
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
- 1903
- Style
- Vienna Secession (Art Nouveau)
- Corner
- Prešernov trg and Čopova ulica
- Note
- Allegorical statues on the façade
- Café
- Historic street-level café at the corner
- Viewing
- Exterior; café open to visitors
A showcase of the new style
Urbanc House (1903) was built as a grand commercial and residential corner block at the moment Ljubljana was embracing Secession design. Its façade is more elaborate than its neighbours, which is exactly why it is the building photographers single out.
What to look for
- Allegorical statues and friezes characteristic of Secession ornament.
- A strong corner tower emphasis — typical of how the style treats street corners.
- Original shopfront lines at ground level that still read as turn-of-the-century.
The café at the corner
The ground-floor café has been a landmark meeting spot for generations. It is a natural place to pause on a square-walking loop and read the façade from a sidewalk table.
Frequently asked questions
What is Urbanc House?
A 1903 Vienna Secession corner building on Prešernov trg at Čopova Street, known for its ornate façade and historic street-level café.
Why is it important?
It is the richest Secession façade on the square and a clear example of the post-1895 modern rebuild that defines central Ljubljana’s look.
Can I go inside?
The café at the corner is open to the public; the upper floors are not a visitor attraction, so enjoy the façade from the square and a coffee at the café.
Sources: City of Ljubljana heritage register. Facts checked October 2026.