The architect Janez Pečnik (Hans Petschnig) and his work for the Diocese of Lavant

Abstract

The article discusses Janez Pečnik (Hans Petschnig), the architect of the Diocese of Lavant in 1864–1870 and 1881–1890, first appointed to this position by Prince-Bishop Jakob Maksimilijan Stepišnik. He negotiated plans for new constructions, renovations, and liturgical furnishings already in the first year of his appointment. However, after five years, only a few of these plans were realized. Pečnik was a strict adherent to the brick Neo-Gothic architecture, whereas the diocese was probably reluctant to have churches built in this style. Besides, his projects were financially very demanding. The same architectural style was used in the plans drawn in 1868 for the only church in Slovenia known to have been built according to Pečnik’s design, the Church of St. Nicholas at Šmiklavž pri Gornjem Gradu, during the construction of which the most explicit neo-Gothic accents were toned down or obscured.