BOŽIDAR JAKAC GALLERY
Kostanjevica on the Krka River
Extraordinary history, a hub of culture and art. Božidar Jakac Gallery.
Where the lowland Krakovski primeval forest gradually rises into the green, rolling Gorjanci Mountains lies Kostanjevica na Krki — Slovenia’s smallest town on an island, and one of its oldest.
The town draws visitors with its rich historical, cultural, and natural heritage, local cuisine, traditional events, and a wide range of leisure activities.
At the heart of the town stands the Cistercian monastery Marijin Studenec, founded in 1234. Until its closure in 1785, it was the center of religious, educational, and economic life.
While the monastery’s current appearance reflects numerous architectural interventions over the centuries, the monastery church has largely preserved its original character, representing one of Slovenia’s finest examples of early Gothic and later Baroque architecture.
In 1974, the Božidar Jakac Gallery opened in the renovated premises of the former Cistercian monastery. It is one of Slovenia’s largest galleries in terms of exhibition space and collection size. The gallery’s core collection features works by Slovenian expressionists, while temporary exhibitions continue to bring life to this exceptional cultural monument and its surroundings.
Named after the artist Božidar Jakac, the gallery also houses permanent exhibitions of Jože Gorjup, Tone Kralj, France Kralj, France Gorše, Janez Boljka, Zoran Didek, Bogdan Borčić, and the Pleterje Collection of European Painters, owned by the nearby Pleterje Charterhouse.
In 1974, the Božidar Jakac Gallery was opened in the renovated premises of the former Cistercian monastery in Kostanjevica na Krki. It is one of the largest Slovenian galleries in terms of the area of exhibition spaces and the collection it houses. With art collections, the core of which is represented by works by Slovenian expressionists, and occasional exhibitions, it revives this exceptional cultural monument and its surroundings.
The gallery is named after the artist Božidar Jakac, and in addition to him, permanent exhibitions also present: Jože Gorjup, Tone Kralj, France Kralj, France Gorše, Janez Boljka, Zoran Didek, Bogdan Borčić, and the Pleterje Collection of European Painters, which is owned by the nearby Pleterje Charterhouse.
The Forma Viva International Sculptors' Symposium has been held in Kostanjevica na Krki since 1961, and is considered the oldest operating symposium in the world. Over the years, more than 100 wooden sculptures have been created, which are on display in the immediate vicinity of the Božidar Jakac Gallery and in Kostanjevica na Krki.
The gallery also includes two dislocated exhibition spaces: the Lamut Art Salon in the former ministerial mansion on the island, where temporary exhibitions by contemporary Slovenian and foreign artists are on display, and the Gorjup Gallery in the premises of the Jože Gorjup Elementary School, which offers a unique opportunity to combine gallery activities and pedagogical work.
Since 1961, Kostanjevica na Krki has hosted the Forma Viva International Sculptors’ Symposium, the world’s oldest continuously running symposium of its kind. Over the years, more than 100 wooden sculptures have been created and are displayed around the Božidar Jakac Gallery and throughout the town.
The gallery also includes two satellite exhibition spaces: the Lamut Art Salon, located in the former ministerial mansion on the island, which hosts temporary exhibitions by contemporary Slovenian and international artists, and the Gorjup Gallery at Jože Gorjup Elementary School, offering a unique combination of gallery activities and educational programs.
Contact
Address:
Exiles' Road 3 8280 Brestanica
Telephone:
07 620 42 16 / 051 390 648
Email:
info@gradrajhenburg.si