The Modern Chapel of the Wounded Jesus in Zagreb

An Architecture of Silence in the Heart of the City

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17979/aarc.2025.12.12956

Keywords:

Antun Urlich, Croatia, Modern Architecture, Sacred Architecture, Zagreb

Abstract

The Chapel of the Wounded Christ in Zagreb, designed by Antun Urlich in 1936, represents a rare example of modernist sacred architecture integrated within the city’s historic core. Conceived as an architecture of silence, the chapel transforms light, proportion, and material into carriers of spiritual meaning. Embedded in the Foundation Building on Ban Jelacic Square, it contrasts the noise of urban life with an inner atmosphere of contemplation. The research interprets the chapel as both architectural and theological innovation, linking Croatian modernism with wider European movements that sought new expressions of the sacred through simplicity and clarity. Urlich’s minimal composition - stone, glass, and light - creates a space where modern rationalism meets transcendence. The chapel stands as a lasting dialogue between faith and modernity, proving that silence and light can become the true language of sacred architecture within the heart of the modern city.

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Author Biographies

  • Zorana Sokol-Gojnik , University of Zagreb

    Asst. Prof. Zorana Sokol Gojnik, doctor of architecture, works as professor at Department of Design at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Zagreb. She lead a course «Sacred architecture». She participated in six scientific-research projects of the Faculty and she published books, scientific papers in journals and conferences. She published book «Sacred architectue of Zagreb in 20th century». She collaborate with architectural office Siloueta architecture realising numerous architectural projects. 

  • Igor Gojnik , Independent Scholar

    Igor Gojnik, doctor of architecture, is an independent architect leading the office Siloueta Architecture. His field of interest is architectural phenomenology. He obtain doctoral degree with the theme of fenomenon of daylight in architecture. He is a member of Scientific Research Project Heritage urbanism at Faculty of architecture in Zagreb. He published scientific articles in relevant journals and international conferences. He is the author of numerous architectural projects.

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Published

2026-01-06

Issue

Vol. 12 (2025): Sacred Architecture of Canonical Modernity: References

Section

Papers

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How to Cite

The Modern Chapel of the Wounded Jesus in Zagreb: An Architecture of Silence in the Heart of the City. (2026). Actas de Arquitectura Religiosa Contemporánea, 12, 98-111. https://doi.org/10.17979/aarc.2025.12.12956