town hall, theater, library

(Town Hall, SNG Nova Gorica Theatre, France Bevk Library)

Nova Gorica was founded in 1947 when, following the peace treaties after World War II, the border divided the city of Gorizia in two, and the eastern part of the city was assigned to Yugoslavia. Via San Gabriele functions almost as an axis because it is the only diagonal street that maintains a direct connection between Nova Gorica and the city of Gorizia.

On Edvarda Kardelja Square, at the intersection of the city's two main axes (Kidričeva and Erjavčeva Streets), stands the Town Hall, built between 1948 and 1955 to a design by architect Vinko Glanz. The building's façade is adorned with statues by sculptor Boris Kalin, depicting partisan and revolutionary themes. On the first floor is the Green Hall (Zelena Dvorana), used for meetings and gatherings, which features frescoes by painter Slavki Pengov depicting some of the most important events in the history of the Slovenian Littoral.

Also near Trg Edvarda Kardelja is the SNG (Slovenian National Theatre). The postmodern-style building, designed by Vojteh Ravnikar between 1987 and 1994, closes the eastern side of the central square and continues the arcaded rhythm that characterizes this area. The municipal assembly hall connects with the pilaster motif on the façade, which combines the prismatic element of the theatre hall with the cylindrical body of the stage tower, creating a complex system based on the interpenetration of multiple volumes. The slightly raised main entrance is highlighted by a portal and pilasters on two levels, while the administrative offices are located in the adjacent cylindrical building.

The France Bevk Public Library, located between the theater and city hall buildings, was designed by Vojteh Ravnikar, Maruša Zorec, and Robert Potokar and built between 1996 and 2000. The building, formally characterized by clear, dynamic, and clean lines, has four floors and over 4,500 square meters of library space. The basement and first floor contain reading rooms, events rooms, and literary gatherings, while the second floor, closed to the public, houses the business center.