Sentjakobska cerkev (St. James's Church), Ljubljana

The city of Ljubljana's history can be well understood through its monuments, with the oldest being the Marian Column erected in 1682, which originally accentuated the vast courtyard in front of Saint James's Church, standing alongside the gymnasium and Jesuit College buildings. Atop a pedestal rises a slender column crowned by the statue of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

The introduction of the feast of the Immaculate Conception in 1708 by Pope Clement XI underscores the significance of the Jesuits' strategic initiatives. Arriving in Ljubljana in 1597, they spearheaded a successful Counter-Reformation in response to the prevailing Protestantism among Slovenes. The Marian Column served as a visual representation of their commitment to the "true" (i.e. Catholic) faith, countering Protestant skepticism towards the veneration of Mary.

Initially, the column bore stone statues of saints Joseph, Leopold, Ignatius of Loyola, and Francis Xavier alongside the brass statue of the Virgin; however, in 1870, these stone statues were replaced with spelter ones. Meanwhile, the church's interior, crafted by Italian architect Francesco Robba and Slovene stonemason Luka Mislej, showcases intricate designs, including the main altar and stone side altars.

Following the Ljubljana earthquake of 1895, the church underwent renovation overseen by Linz-based architect Raimund Jeblinger. While the interiors were redesigned, much of the original Baroque style remains intact, preserving its historical significance.