Gimnazija Bezigrad (Bezigrad High School), Ljubljana

Gimnazija Bežigrad (Bežigrad High School) is one of Slovenia’s leading secondary schools, with historical roots connected to the Jesuit grammar school founded in 1596. Its modern history includes several institutional changes, while 1936 marked the move of the Real Gymnasium into the present building. The school became coeducational in 1947 and has since remained an important centre of secondary education.

The building was designed by architect Emil Navinšek and introduced an unusual school layout for its time. It was presented as the world’s first corridor-free school, replacing long conventional hallways with large central communal spaces that connected classrooms and supported interaction between students. This functional design reflects interwar interest in modern educational architecture and new approaches to school life.

The school is known for selective admissions and strong programmes in mathematics, science, languages, and the humanities. Its students often achieve high results in the national Matura examination and participate in international Olympiads. Extracurricular activities include theatre, music, debate, research, sports, and international exchanges. The school also hosts GIMBMUN, a student-led Model United Nations conference focused on diplomacy, public speaking, and global issues.