Galerija Božidar Jakac

About the museum

The Cistercian monastery Fons Beatae Mariae was founded in 1234 at the source of the Obrh stream by the Carinthian duke Bernard of Spanheim. The monastery was among the richest landed estates in Carniola. In the first half of the 18th century a Baroque theatrical façade with two defensive turrets, painted by Fran Jelovšek, and one of the largest arcaded courtyards in Europe were built. In 1786 Emperor Joseph II dissolved the monastery, the church was desacralised, and various offices and tenants moved into the building. During the Second World War the complex was burned and destroyed; extensive restoration began in 1957.

The gallery was founded in 1974, when the permanent exhibitions of Tone Kralj and Božidar Jakac opened in the former monastery. The permanent exhibitions are divided into individual galleries of important Slovenian artists: France Kralj, Božidar Jakac, France Goršič, Tone Kralj, Nande Vidmar, Jože Gorjup, Zoran Didek, Bogdan Borčić and Janez Boljka. Also on show are the Pleterska zbirka evropskih slikarjev (Pleterje Collection of European Painters) and the Zbirka Gorjupove galerije (Gorjup Gallery Collection) in a detached unit in the primary school.

The gallery organises temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and educational programmes, and arranges tastings in the monastery wine cellar.

Highlights

• Galleries of France Kralj, Božidar Jakac, Tone Kralj, France Goršič and other Slovenian artists
• Pleterje Collection of European Painters
• Former Cistercian monastery with one of the largest arcaded courtyards in Europe
• Exhibition spaces in the former monastery church and in the lapidarium
• Monastery wine cellar with tastings for groups

Permanent exhibitions

• Stalne galerije slovenskih umetnikov – The individual galleries present works by France Kralj, Božidar Jakac, France Goršič, Tone Kralj, Nande Vidmar, Jože Gorjup, Zoran Didek, Bogdan Borčić and Janez Boljka.
• Pleterska zbirka evropskih slikarjev – A collection of European paintings from the Pleterje Charterhouse.
• Kostanjevica na Krki – Samostan – The exhibition presents the history and building heritage of the former Cistercian monastery.

Founded

1974

Operated by

Javni zavod Galerija Božidar Jakac

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for unemployed persons, holders of valid DRS, SMD, SUZD, ZDSLU, ICOM and ICOMOS cards, journalists, students of certain courses in art history, art pedagogy and the academy, and members of the Klub prijateljev galerije (Gallery Friends' Club).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground floor with the ticket office, the permanent exhibition of Janez Boljka, the exhibition spaces in the former monastery church and the lapidarium, the educational room, the wine cellar and the toilets are accessible to persons with reduced mobility. A sand path leads from the car park to the building; the courtyard is partly paved and partly covered with sand. Basic information in Braille is available for blind and partially sighted visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The gallery has programmes for children and families, intergenerational workshops and educational programmes for kindergartens and schools; individual visitors up to 18 years enter free.

Getting there & parking

A sand path leads from the car park to the building.

Amenities & dining

Monastery wine cellar.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit