Church of Saint Blaise, Zagreb

The Church of Saint Blaise in Zagreb is a Catholic parish church in the Lower Town (Donji grad), one of the central districts of the Croatian capital. It was designed by Viktor Kovačić, one of Croatia's most important early twentieth-century architects, in an eclectic style.

What makes this church special?

Its standout feature is a reinforced-concrete cupola, the first of its kind in the region. That makes the church a notable example of the bold construction techniques of its day, and a rewarding stop for anyone interested in architecture beyond Zagreb's Upper Town.

How did the church come about?

The idea of founding new parishes in the Lower Town dates to the 1880s. In 1886 Eduard Suhin produced a study on establishing them, with Saint Blaise planned as the first. The archbishop's clerical board decided to found the parish in 1889.

A competition held that year produced no acceptable design, so in 1891 the committee asked architect Josip Vancaš to draw up plans. Kovačić later developed a provisional design, which eventually led to the building seen today.

Key dates

• construction began on 19 July 1911,
• the use permit became valid on 14 January 1914,
• the church was consecrated on 28 March 1915.

The interior and an unfinished vision

Kovačić prepared detailed designs for the entire interior: the high altar and two side altars, the pews and the confessionals. He died in 1924, and architect Alfred Albini briefly took charge of the works. Finishing of the interior followed Kovačić's plans, but according to available sources it has still not been fully completed.

Why visit?

The church is regarded as an icon of Croatian modern architecture. The Zagreb City Museum has dedicated an exhibition to its story from the nineteenth to the twenty-first century. It makes a good stop on a walk through the Lower Town, especially if you are curious about the early days of modernism in Central Europe.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Church of Saint Blaise in Zagreb? Viktor Kovačić, a Croatian architect, in an eclectic style.

What is unusual about it? Its reinforced-concrete cupola, the first of its kind in the region.

When was it consecrated? On 28 March 1915.

Where is it? In the Lower Town of Zagreb, Croatia; InfoZagreb lists it at Deželićev prilaz 64, near the corner with Primorska Street.

Is the interior finished? According to available sources, not entirely, even though Kovačić designed all of the furnishings.