Klovićevi Dvori Gallery – 17th-century Jesuit monastery
The gallery is named after Julije Klović, a Croatian priest and talented miniature painter, also known as “Michelangelo of illuminated manuscripts”
A Cultural Hub
Klovićevi Dvori Gallery is one of the most important cultural institutions in Croatia. It covers a wide range of art and cultural events, from prehistoric times up to today’s contemporary scene.
A Bit of History
Before it was part of the Museum Gallery Center, which also included the Mimara Museum. The Klovićevi Dvori Gallery was officially founded in 1980, and it opened its doors here on Jesuit Square in 1982.
What to Expect
With four floors of exhibition space, they put on as many as 30 exhibitions a year, drawing in hundreds of thousands of visitors. The gallery also manages exhibition spaces at the Lotrščak Tower and the Gradec Gallery.
The Building’s Story
The building itself has a rich history. Back in 1606, the Jesuits came to Zagreb at the invitation of the city of Gradec and with the support of Count Toma Erdödy. They took over an abandoned Dominican monastery and a small, run-down Dominican church, which is now St. Catherine’s Church. The following year, they opened a gymnasium here in the Upper Town.
The monastery building, with its trapezoidal courtyard, is one of Zagreb’s most significant Baroque structures. It was built in stages, starting in 1641. The east wing was built by Zagreb builder Antun Macetti. The wings, which used to be different heights, surround a large inner courtyard, and the window frames and portals are richly decorated. The second floor was added between 1717 and 1719. A new main portal was added after the Jesuit order was abolished in 1773.
After the Jesuit order was abolished, the building became the property of the Hungarian Court Chamber in 1775. Later, under Emperor Joseph II, it became the headquarters of the Main Military Command for Croatia and Slavonia, which managed the Military Frontier region.
The southeast wing of the building was removed after it was damaged in the 1880 Zagreb earthquake.
After a renovation in 1983, the building lost some of its original architectural features to accommodate the Ante Topic Mimara Museum collection, which was eventually abandoned. The building then became the Klovićevi Dvori Gallery.
Location
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and largest city of Croatia. It is situated on the slopes of Medvednica mountain, in the Carpathian Basin, and on the banks of the Sava river. Zagreb has a rich and diverse history, culture, and architecture that reflect its long and turbulent past.
ExploreBaroque
One of the most remarkable periods in Croatian art history is the Baroque, which lasted from the 17th to the late 18th century. During this time, Croatia was reunited with the parts of its territory that were occupied by the Venetian Republic and the Ottoman Empire, after centuries of fragmentation and division. This reunification not only brought political stability and economic prosperity but also stimulated a cultural revival and a flourishing of art in every segment.
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