Brutti Mansion
A late-Baroque palace built in 1714 for Count Barnabi Brutti, now home to Koper’s central library. The mansion’s ornate facade depicts scenes from the Old Testament.
At a glance
This 18th-century mansion stands on the north side of Brolo Square in Koper, Slovenia’s principal port. Its grand facade showcases relief imagery from Biblical narrative, and today the building serves as a cultural hub housing the city’s central library, named after librarian and politician Srečko Vilhar.
History
Count Barnabi Brutti commissioned the mansion in 1714, during the height of late-Baroque architectural ambition in the Adriatic region. Giorgio Massari, a prominent architect of the period, drew up the plans. The building reflects the wealth and taste of Koper’s merchant class during the Venetian era.
What you see
The mansion displays characteristic late-Baroque design. Its facade is enriched with relief sculptures depicting Old Testament scenes—a learned iconographic program typical of elite residences of the era. The placement on Brolo Square, Koper’s principal public space, underscores the owner’s social prominence.
Cultural significance
Brutti Mansion exemplifies late-Baroque palatial architecture in the Slovene Littoral, a region shaped by centuries of Venetian and Austro-Hungarian influence. Its conversion into a library has preserved the building while adapting it to contemporary public use, making fine architecture accessible to residents and visitors.
Key facts
- Built: 1714
- Architect: Giorgio Massari
- Location: Brolo Square, Koper, Slovenia
- Coordinates: 45.5484°N, 13.7309°E
- Current use: Central Library of Koper (Srečko Vilhar Library)
- Architectural style: Late Baroque
Practical information & getting there
The mansion is located on Brolo Square in central Koper. As it now houses the city’s central library, you can visit during regular library hours. Koper is Slovenia’s main seaport and is accessible by car, train, and bus from Ljubljana and other regional centers.
Sources & resources
- Brutti Mansion — Wikipedia
- Cultural Heritage Online
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