Minor Seminary
Adress: Voćarska cesta 106, pp. 110, 10001 Zagreb
Phone number: +385 1 4697 222
E-mail: medjubiskupijsko.sjemeniste@gmail.com
Facebook: Međubiskupijsko sjemenište u Zagrebu
Rector of the Seminary: rev. Matija Pavlaković
The Interdiocesan Seminary is an institution dedicated to the education and formation of secondary-school-age candidates for the priesthood. Since 1929, it has been located on Šalata, one of Zagreb’s hills, and has formed numerous priests and intellectuals. From 1937 to 1998, the Seminary was entrusted to the Jesuits, while since 1998 it has been administered by diocesan priests.
The tradition of priestly formation in Zagreb dates back to 1564, when Bishop Juraj Drašković founded the Theological Seminary. In the nineteenth century, Bishops Maksimilijan Vrhovac and Aleksandar Alagović established institutions in Zagreb and Požega dedicated to the religious and moral education of young people.
After the First World War, Archbishop Antun Bauer initiated the construction of a minor seminary intended for the wider Croatian ecclesiastical province. Distinguished architects and experts, including Josip Vancaš, Dioniz Sunko and Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik, contributed to the planning of the complex. The foundation stone was laid on 25 June 1927, and the Seminary and grammar school were solemnly blessed on 8 June 1929. Construction of the entire complex was completed in 1931, and Fran Barac was appointed its first rector.
The Seminary buildings suffered severe damage in the Zagreb earthquake of 22 March 2020. The Seminary is currently housed in approximately 1,600 square metres of renovated premises in the western pavilion, blessed by Cardinal Josip Bozanić on 8 December 2020. Renovation of the complex has continued since then, including the rectorate, churches and other buildings. Several facilities, including the assembly and sports halls, refectory, laundry building and Archdiocesan Classical Gymnasium, are still awaiting restoration.