National Assembly Building of the Republic of Slovenia

The National Assembly Building of the Republic of Slovenia (Slovene: Stavba Državnega zbora Republike Slovenije) is a modernist palace in Ljubljana housing the legislature of Slovenia.

Built between 1954 and 1959 by the Slovene architect Vinko Glanz, the National Assembly Building is located on the Republic Square in the center of Ljubljana.

Despite its name, the building houses both the National Assembly (lower house) and the National Council (upper house) of the legislature; however, the upper house has a primarily advisory role. Before the constitutional reforms of 1992, the building was known as the Skupščina, after the name (Skupščina Socialistične Republike Slovenije) of the tricameral communist-era legislature. It is also colloquially referred to as the Parlament.

On May 18, 2010, the front façade (made of rare green tonalite) of the parliament building was severely damaged by students who threw granite rocks removed from nearby pavement at the building's main entrance. The incidence happened during the student protest against the proposed law on the introduction of mini jobs that would curb student work.^[1]

Architecture

File:Parliament of Slovenia.jpg

The Plenary Hall

The four-story building is externally austere. The facade is faced with Kras marble, with green Oplotnica granite below the windows. The only decorative element is the main portal, supported by five pilasters enclosing four double oak doors, which supports a mass of intertwined sculptures by Karel Putrih in Zdenko Kalin, depicting peaceful scenes from everyday life, focusing on industry and family.

The center of the building is occupied by the 422 m², 150 seat Great Hall, where the upper house convenes. Formerly rectangular, it was renovated into an amphitheater in 2000. The Small Hall on the ground floor houses the upper house.

Future

An unrealized project for a Slovenian Parliament was designed by the architect Jože Plečnik in the late 1940s, and continues to enjoy considerable awareness among Slovenes. Periodic public interest in the construction of the Plečnik Parliament has so far failed to result in any action.

References

1. ^ "Angry Words, Stones Fly at Student Protests". STA. 19 May 2010. http://www.sta.si/en/vest.php?s=s&id=1514908. Retrieved 16 December 2010. 

External links

• Slovene Parliament building. Virtual panoramas. Burger.si. Accessed 28 February 2011.

Coordinates: 46°03′06″N 14°30′04″E / 46.05167°N 14.50111°E / 46.05167; 14.50111