250th anniversary of the National and University Library (2024)

The times of enlightened absolutism in the 18^th century saw the building of the first public libraries offering access to information and knowledge to the broader population. One such institution was the Lyceum Library in Ljubljana, which in 1774 received 637 books salvaged from a fire at Ljubljana’s disbanded Jesuit College and put them to general use on the basis of a decree by Empress Maria Theresa. This laid the first foundations of the Lyceum Library, the predecessor to the National and University Library. For this reason 1774 is recognised as the year of the establishment of the National and University Library.

It stood for more than a hundred years on what is now Vodnik Square, until the lyceum building had to be demolished as a result of the Ljubljana earthquake. Since 1945 it has served the public as the National and University Library in a building designed by Jože Plečnik, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. It is Slovenia’s national library, with the critical mission of building a national collection of library material, and preserving the most precious documents of Slovenia’s national identity. It is also the national central library, the library of the University of Ljubljana, and one of the most vital cultural and educational institutions in the country.

Slovenia is issuing a commemorative coin to mark the 250^th anniversary of the National and University Library. The coin depicts many people’s first contact with the institution, namely Plečnik’s door handles in the shape of a horse’s head.

Event proposed by: National and University Library

Artwork designed by: Mojca Mlinar and Dominik Košak, Idrija/Mengeš

Minting: Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda S.A., Portugal