The conservation objective of the renovation was to present the original state of the early Baroque architecture typical of Venetian public institutions.
An important historic building complex known as Collegio dei Nobili is located in the core of the historic city of Koper and stands out in the architectural design of the city's residential and public buildings. The central building of the main wing is complemented by two lower wings placed transversely on the east and west sides, forming a U-shaped floor plan with an inner atrium in the centre. The south side of the complex was originally enclosed by St Mary's Church (S. Maria Nuova), and a gym was built on its site in the late 1960s. The symmetrically designed architectural complex is surrounded by a street wall with an entrance garden portal in front of the north-facing façade of the main wing. The architectural complex was built for teaching activities, which included accommodation for pupils. The layout of the buildings Collegia dei Nobili and its orientation to the north is well thought out, designed in a way that is appropriate for a school complex.
In 1612, with the help of state funds, the first public school was founded in Koper, by order of the Venetian Senate, initially as a secular seminary (Seminario). The Seminary was financially supported by the city authorities, public institutions and wealthy noble families, who educated their children in the school. The quality of the education was provided by outstanding professors and theologians of the patrician order (Padri somaschi), whose modern didactic education reached a level that allowed them to enrol at the University of Padua.
Curator Loredana Sabaz and Dr Mojca Marja Kovač, Conservator in charge, in front of the main entrance to the school
A revitalised walled garden with a courtyard extending in front of the main entrance façade forms the central garden arrangement with Mediterranean greenery.
Education in the seminary grew so much that the need for a suitable and large enough building to serve the education and accommodation of the students as well as the teachers soon became apparent. The permission to erect the seminary building was granted by the Doge of Venice, Domenico Contarini, in 1674, and in the following year the Copra podestat and Captain Lorenzo Donato started fundraising. In 1678, the podestat Angelo Morosini bought some houses next to St Mary's Church and soon started building a brand new school complex. Podestat devoted himself to this task and worked to find other sources of funding for the construction and education project, and enlisted some wealthy families from Koper for this task. Construction of the present building complex began at the end of the 17th century. It represents the oldest school architecture in Slovenia. The new school building welcomed its first pupils in 1683, but by the end of the first decade of the 18th century, the school was not fully built. Education in the new school building was led by excellent teachers from the ranks of the Skokopai (Padri delle scuole pie).
The school was of great importance for Istria, and its reputation extended to Dalmatia. Through quality education, the school institution established itself as an important factor in the cultural and humanistic life of Koper.
Renovation
The complete renovation of the school complex, to be completed in summer 2025, comprises the school building including the inner courtyard - atrium, the entrance courtyard with garden and the renovated gym building on the ground floor, which has been extended by a storey. Planning for the comprehensive renovation of the school building complex started with the preparation of project documentation almost a decade ago. The renovation work was intended to improve the teaching conditions at Pier Paolo Vergerio il Vecchio Primary School and Gian Rinaldo Carli Gymnasium, and to renovate the existing gymnasium, which was built some 50 years ago.
In 2023, construction work started on the complete renovation of the school complex. The main objective of the conservation work on this important cultural monument of local importance is to present the original state of the architecture, which, in terms of existing and newly discovered stylistic features, can be classified as an early Baroque example of Venetian architecture, while still retaining the humanist or late Renaissance features typical of Venetian public institutions. The values of humanism are emphasised, among which the minimalist decoration of the façade stands out, with the emphasis on the design of the architectural structures in characteristic proportions or canons.
Atrium before renovation
The school was extensively renovated in the early 1970s, but this renovation did not constitute a building intervention that respected the heritage values of the architecture. The modern renovation of the school complex has restored some of the most important areas to their original appearance. The restoration of the historic architectural values of two of the school's most representative spaces: the inner atrium and the main hall.
During archaeological excavations in the atrium, remains of the previous pavement were found, including fragments of a canal that ran around the perimeter of the atrium. The original level of the walkway surface with the pavement was revealed, which is further confirmed by the existing bases of the atrium pilasters. At the time of the previous renovation, a new stone pavement was laid in the atrium so that the bases of the pilasters were not visible, as they were hidden in the pavement. The present pavement of the atrium is new, made of white stone and laid according to the analogies of related architectural solutions as defined by modern conservation doctrine. On all three interior façades in the atrium, the cement render that was applied during the previous renovation has been removed. All three internal façades of the atrium have a new lime plaster, which is made in a classical manner and is appropriate to the historic architecture of the period of the building's construction. The final cantilevered wreath of all three atrium façades is of particular interest, as preliminary probing between the cantilevers revealed a brick-coloured plaster which is preserved.
The inner atrium, which is the central connecting space, has been restored to its representational importance.
During archaeological excavations in the atrium, remains of the previous pavement were found, including fragments of a canal that ran around the perimeter of the atrium.
The final cantilevered wreath of all three facades of the atrium is of particular interest, as preliminary probing between the cantilevers revealed brick-coloured plaster.
The renovation of the school complex also included the library and didactic objects, including various tools to illustrate physical, astrological and mathematical phenomena, as well as natural history specimens of exotic animals used in teaching, which are part of the museum's and library's heritage.
The complete renovation of the school complex represents an important contribution to the history of the town, especially the importance of the public school in its history. It has been the place where important individuals and historical figures have been educated, including the famous musician and violinist Giuseppe Tartini. This year, the comprehensive renovation of the school complex is being completed, marking the 350th anniversary of the school complex. Collegia dei Nobili in Koper, as construction began on 29 September 1675.
On behalf of the author and the ZVKDS, she would like to thank all the participating institutions, the Municipality of Koper and the Ministry of Education, as well as the project collaborators.
Text by Mojca Marjana Kovač, Ph.D.
Photos: archive of ZVKDS and archive of Collegio dei Nobili
