Croatian State Archives
Address
Trg Marka Marulića 21 (10 000 Zagreb)
Architect
Rudolf Lubynski
Bilt
1913
Reconstruction
Croatian Conservation Institute, Institute of Civil Engineering of Croatia
Interior
Rudolf Lubynski
Main Contractor
Ernst and Rudolf Ehrlich
Professional Guide
Ladislav Dobrica
Photography
Marko Ercegović
It is an exceptionally valuable cultural monument of Zagreb Secession, which, in terms of content, purpose, and location, represents a temple of wisdom and literacy. The building has a rectangular base, 80 meters long and 50 meters wide, with the north and south wings connected by a central section. Rising above it is a tall semicircular dome with four columns, each adorned with four owls holding globes,
symbolising knowledge. In the central tract connecting the north and south wings are: the entrance, a vestibule with stairs leading to the first floor, an atrium, and the Great Reading Room. On the east side of the atrium are the Small Reading Room and the Professors’ Reading Room, while on the west side are the Book Lending area (today the User Service) and the Catalogs. All spaces in the central tract have zenithal lighting. The Great Reading Room is 30 meters long, 15 meters wide, and 30 meters high. Chandeliers and table lamps were made in Vienna from gilded copper and high-quality crystal glass. Within the Archive’s spaces, one can find works by the most renowned Croatian painters. The masterwork of the Great Reading Room is the enormous composition by Vlaho Bukovac, The Development of Croatian Culture, located above the central load-bearing arch.
symbolising knowledge. In the central tract connecting the north and south wings are: the entrance, a vestibule with stairs leading to the first floor, an atrium, and the Great Reading Room. On the east side of the atrium are the Small Reading Room and the Professors’ Reading Room, while on the west side are the Book Lending area (today the User Service) and the Catalogs. All spaces in the central tract have zenithal lighting. The Great Reading Room is 30 meters long, 15 meters wide, and 30 meters high. Chandeliers and table lamps were made in Vienna from gilded copper and high-quality crystal glass. Within the Archive’s spaces, one can find works by the most renowned Croatian painters. The masterwork of the Great Reading Room is the enormous composition by Vlaho Bukovac, The Development of Croatian Culture, located above the central load-bearing arch.