National and University Library
National and University Library
National and University Library
4
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
NUK is the national and central state library of the Republic of Slovenia and the university library of the University of Ljubljana. The Library’s key mission is to collect, preserve and disseminate the national collection of library materials, to provide professional support to libraries in performing public service, to support the national bibliographic system and to participate in international networks of libraries. It is also a study and social meeting point for many generations of students and researchers. The Library Palace on the Turjaška Street is one of the most beautiful buildings in Ljubljana. It was designed by architect Jože Plečnik, and has been declared a Slovenian cultural monument of the highest order. It is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The library has moved into this monumental building in 1941. Plečnik built a real temple - a temple of knowledge and erudition.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
166 reviews
Excellent
66
Very good
62
Average
29
Poor
7
Terrible
2
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK179,496 contributions
Apr 2023
This building was designed by the great Slovenian architect, Jože Plečnik. The exterior of the building is a creative Post-Modernist facade full of symbolism. The facade has a combination of brick and stone embeddings, some of them archaeological remains from the place. Triangular bay windows jut out from the facade to give the appearance of open books, symbolising the fount of knowledge.
The interiors have been designed with a Neoclassical look. From the vestibule, a door leads to the monumental central staircase with 32 pillars of black marble leading to the library's grand reading room. The walk represents the darkness of ignorance, but enlightenment as we ascend to the reading rooms and attain knowledge.
If you love architecture, then this is a fantastic building to visit in Ljubljana and a masterpiece from the mind of Plečnik. The reading room is for members only though, but visitors are permitted to enter the library and walk around the staircase.
The interiors have been designed with a Neoclassical look. From the vestibule, a door leads to the monumental central staircase with 32 pillars of black marble leading to the library's grand reading room. The walk represents the darkness of ignorance, but enlightenment as we ascend to the reading rooms and attain knowledge.
If you love architecture, then this is a fantastic building to visit in Ljubljana and a masterpiece from the mind of Plečnik. The reading room is for members only though, but visitors are permitted to enter the library and walk around the staircase.
Written April 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vandasin
birmingham england423 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
The outside of this public building opened in the late 1930s stops you in its tracks. Red brick, grey stone and plaster creating a nubbbly effect. The main door is closed and dark with amazing horse head door knobs. Take courage, open one and ascend the dark staircase until you reach the top where you can get a good glimpse of the intriguing reading room, windows, light fittings and interior surfaces including wooden ceilings that are mesmerising. A small gift shop at the bottom sells good quality post cards and other memorabilia including small tubes of the tea that rumour has it helped inspire the architect Plecnik.
Written August 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirkie
198 contributions
May 2019
The National and University Library, 1930-31, was designed by Plechnik. This is a wonderful and monumental work, which was damaged in WWII, but restored and is one of the main architectural attractions of the city. We spent an enjoyable hour or two here, there is also an interesting cafe in the basement
Written September 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JMGeneva
Geneva, Switzerland1,950 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Unmissable in the center. A very interesting architecture that you’ll probably Love or hate but certainly worth a look (we loved it!)
Written May 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luisa H
Landau in der Pfalz, Germany46 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
There is a lot of interesting history to the National and University Library of Ljubljana. It's a beautiful building which you will recognize because of it's colorful exterior. Fun fact: The windows are in the shapes of open books! On our city tour we were told that they offered public tours to the Great Study Hall during the month of August but when we went there we found out that that was only true for certain days. I would have loved to see the study hall but since it's not open for public except on those guided tours we just went inside, saw the stairways and the interesting exhibition on anatomy. It was still a nice visit.
Written August 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew H
London, UK11 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
This building jumps out at you compared to all those around but that is only part of the story. Inside, the entrance are imposing black marble columns and the reading room is remarkable. I think Frank Lloyd Wright would have liked this building.
Written August 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simona D
Maribor256 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
Make sure to visit the NUK; not so much to see the treasury of books but to observe, enjoy and cherish the beauty of finest Jugendstil art Ljubljana has to offer. Notice the doorknob, the staircase, the facade.
Written November 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David A
Boston, UK139 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
The University Library (1941) was designed by the great Slovenian architect Jože Plecnik and built between 1936 and 1941. Outside the library is a line of statues or busts of famous Slovenians.
Written April 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wgorab
Sao Paulo, SP264 contributions
Jun 2018
During the library opening hours, the Main Reading Room is open for students only. Tourists can visit the lobby and the Exhibition Room (between 10.00 and 18.00), as well as the NUK Cafe in the basement of the library (open 8.00-20.00). Visit to the Reading Room is possible on Saturday afternoons between 14.30 and 18.00.
ENTRANCE FEE
Adults: 5€ (includes 1€ bonus in the NUK Cafe)
Children under 10 years old: free of charge
Youth (11–26 years), students: 3 € (includes 1€ bonus in the NUK Cafe)
Groups over 10 people: 2 € per person (without a bonus)
ENTRANCE FEE
Adults: 5€ (includes 1€ bonus in the NUK Cafe)
Children under 10 years old: free of charge
Youth (11–26 years), students: 3 € (includes 1€ bonus in the NUK Cafe)
Groups over 10 people: 2 € per person (without a bonus)
Written October 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
9to5explorer
Melbourne, Australia297 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Pretty cool and striking from the outside, all serenity and grace on the inside. You can't easily tour the reading rooms now, which makes sense as it's a live uni study area. Check out the cafe in the basement. Overall worth stopping by for 30 minutes.
Written May 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about National and University Library
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience National and University Library:
- Ljubljana private walking tour with a local (From $61.16)
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National and University Library Information
Excellent Reviews | 66 |
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Very Good Reviews | 62 |
National and University Library Photos | 351 |