The renovated Villa Zlatica, home to the Forum of Slavic Cultures and former residence of Ljubljana Mayor Ivan Hribar, offers visitors a unique insight into the life of one of the city’s most beloved mayors and the residential culture of a Slovenian bourgeois family at the turn of the 20th century. Surrounded by a lush green garden, this elegant villa has become a vibrant cultural hub where history, art, and contemporary events come together. Villa Zlatica seamlessly blends its rich historical heritage with dynamic programs, providing visitors with an immersive experience that bridges the past and present.
Permanent exhibition: Ivan Hribar and the Ljubljana Bourgeoisie
The permanent exhibition about Ivan Hribar provides visitors with an insight into the life and work of one of Ljubljana’s most influential mayors. The exhibition depicts key moments in Hribar’s political career, his contribution to the development of Ljubljana, and his role in cultural and social life. The focus is on Hribar’s legacy, which includes both his personal and public life, with a special focus on his role in Slavic culture.
Celebrating Slovenian Culture at Villa Zlatica
On the occasion of Prešeren Day, Slovenian Cultural Holiday, on Saturday, 8 February 2025, at 5 PM, we warmly invite you to Villa Zlatica for a literary evening dedicated to the novel Filio ni doma (Filio is not at Home) ...
LUV fest – History of Love in Villa Zlatica
Just as rulers and nations have changed throughout history, so too have the ways in which people were allowed—or forbidden—to love. In light of this, you are warmly invited to join a special guided tour of Vila Zlatica. During this ...
Exhibition on Slovenian-Czech Literary Contacts Opens at Villa Zlatica
On the occasion of World Book Day and to celebrate the birthday of the writer Zofka Kveder, an exhibition »Slovenian Literary ‘Moderna’ in the Czech Environment« was opened at Villa Zlatica. It will be on display until 22 May. The ...
You will be greeted by a museum guide during your visit, as tours are only possible when accompanied by a guide. During office hours, on Fridays and Saturdays, reservations are not required, but we recommend making one to secure a place on the tour.
Tour schedule:
The number of visitors per tour is limited to a maximum of 8 people.
For additional information and reservations, please write to us at vila.zlatica@fsk.si or call us at +386 40 835 775.
For unforgettable events and picturesque memories, Hribar’s Villa Zlatica with its beautiful lawned garden is the perfect setting! Almost in the very centre of Ljubljana, right next to Rožnik and Tivol Park, it is a unique opportunity to organise events, receptions, press conferences, professional meetings and award ceremonies.
Information and rental
Aneja Kralj is a Master’s student in Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana. She is particularly inspired by how the museum collection at Vila Zlatica sheds light on the life of Ljubljana’s bourgeoisie in the first half of the 20th century, as well as Ivan Hribar’s private life and the everyday routines of his family.
Jure Čad is a student of history and English at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, who draws visitors’ attention to the historical context of Ivan Hribar’s era during his guided tours of Vila Zlatica. He often takes visitors on a journey through Hribar’s travels, which took him across Europe, from Saint Petersburg and Prague to Dubrovnik. On his tours, visitors also gain a detailed insight into Hribar’s pivotal role in the reconstruction of Ljubljana after the devastating earthquake that razed Ljubljana to the ground in 1895.
A museum guide and the creator of the regular program The History of Love at Villa Zlatica, which offers visitors insights into the private life of Mayor Ivan Hribar and the citizens of Ljubljana during his time. As a historian and sociologist, he focuses on the political and social history of the era, as well as the class conflicts that shaped Ljubljana at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Špela Setničar is a self-employed cultural worker, working as an announcer and presenter, scriptwriter, and author. She holds a degree in comparative literature and literary theory and is currently completing a parallel master’s program at the Faculty of Arts and the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film, and Television. In her free time, she enjoys exploring galleries, finding inspiration in modern art and architecture. During her student years, she dedicated a significant amount of time to working as a museum attendant at the Ljubljana City Museum and the Vžigalica Gallery. Today, she continues to draw inspiration for her creative pursuits in the enchanting Villa Zlatica.
Picture Author: Ela Elizabeta Romih
Primož Kolenc is an archaeologist and museum guide who has deepened his knowledge of Ljubljana's architectural and general history through his work at the Ljubljana City Museum and the Plečnik House. He most enjoys sharing his passion for cultural heritage by conducting guided tours of Villa Zlatica, while also expressing his creativity through the design of various cultural programs.
Exhibitions and Guided Tours
Villa Zlatica hosts the permanent exhibition Ivan Hribar and Ljubljana’s Bourgeois Society, offering insight into the life and legacy of this remarkable mayor and his contributions to the city’s development. In addition, the villa features temporary exhibitions that explore various aspects of Slavic culture and heritage.
Guided tours provide a deeper understanding of the villa’s history, the daily life of a bourgeois family, and the architectural and cultural significance of this unique residence. Villa Zlatica welcomes school groups, tourists, and individuals eager to experience its rich heritage and timeless charm.
Events and Cultural Programs
Villa Zlatica has become a sought-after venue for cultural events, including literary evenings, book presentations, theatre performances, concerts, and professional gatherings. With its picturesque garden and elegant interior, the villa offers an inspiring setting for work-related, academic, and literary meetings, creating a unique blend of history and contemporary cultural life.
Library of the Forum of Slavic Cultures
Housed in the former study and workspace of Ivan Hribar, a great advocate of Slavic peoples and their cultures, the Library of the Forum of Slavic Cultures provides access to a wealth of often unknown or overlooked treasures of Slavic heritage, culture, and literature. Its collection includes works in all Slavic languages, as well as many others. A special highlight of the library is the Hundred Slavic Novels collection, the largest international cultural, literary, and promotional project dedicated to Slavic literature.
Historical Significance and Renovation
Villa Zlatica was built in 1910 and purchased by Ivan Hribar after World War I, becoming his home in 1922. His daughter Zlatica (1913–2000) lived in the villa her entire life, donating much of the family’s heritage to the Ljubljana City Museum and bequeathing the villa to the State of Slovenia. In 2017, the villa was declared a cultural monument of local significance, and extensive renovation began in September 2019. The restoration carefully preserved its authentic elements, including original woodwork, parquet flooring, ceramic stoves, terrazzo, metal decorations, and wall paintings, restoring the villa to its 1933 appearance, when the Hribar family still resided there.