Overview

The Islamic Religious and Cultural Centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia, officially opened in February 2020. Construction began in 2013 in the Bežigrad district, with funding provided by Qatar alongside contributions from within Slovenia. As the country’s first mosque, the complex is a significant addition to Ljubljana’s architectural landscape, marked by its distinctive 40-metre minaret.

Despite multiple visits to my hometown over the years, I had only ever seen the minaret in passing—usually from a distance, on the way somewhere else. It wasn’t until the final day of my stay this January that I made a deliberate trip with my camera to properly explore the site.

When I arrived, the centre was almost entirely empty, adding to the sense of calm that surrounds the space. The only person present was a receptionist, who kindly offered to unlock the main prayer hall and gave me a brief introduction to the building.

As someone who hadn’t previously visited a mosque, the experience felt particularly striking. The design is distinctly modern and minimalist, defined by clean lines and a restrained palette of white concrete, steel, glass, and wood. From a photographer’s perspective, the simplicity of the materials and the quality of light created a serene, almost meditative atmosphere—quiet, balanced, and thoughtfully composed.