Two fully reconstructed buildings of Faculty of Law in Zagreb open

(Hina) - Two fully reconstructed buildings of the Faculty of Law in Zagreb were opened on Wednesday ahead of its 250th anniversary, with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković saying the Faculty and University's "flagship" building at 14 Republic of Croatia Square would be completed next year.

The historic buildings in Ćirilometodska and Nazorova streets were damaged in a 2020 earthquake, with renovation costs exceeding €23 million.

Faculty Vice-Dean Mirela Tešić pointed out that the restoration had improved conditions for students and staff, allowing academic life to return to the renovated premises.

Plenković, an alumnus of the Faculty, said the opening of the buildings at 4 Ćirilometodska and 51 Nazorova marked the continuation of a major reconstruction programme. The building at 3 Republic of Croatia Square has already been restored, while work on the main building, on number 14, began in December 2025. The €28 million project is expected to be completed by mid-2027.

Plenković also highlighted the wider post-earthquake reconstruction programme, covering more than 500 cultural and religious heritage projects worth €1.7 billion. Referring to the Erdödy and Keglević palaces in Ćirilometodska Street, he said restoring such heritage was important both for Croatia's history and its future.

Rector Lakušić: People at centre of reconstruction

University of Zagreb Rector Stjepan Lakušić stressed that people were at the centre of the reconstruction. "Buildings serve people. If what we do does not serve people, we are heading in the wrong direction," he said. He noted that the full renovation of the building at 51 Nazorova had not initially been planned, with only emergency measures envisaged. "We succeeded because we worked together," he added.

Construction Minister Branko Bačić said the government had opted for the more demanding model of comprehensive structural reconstruction. "The process takes longer, but the buildings are safer and more cost-effective," he said, adding that European funding had secured the renovation of 1,309 projects, including 27 university faculties and 293 cultural heritage sites. "We expect to complete the entire process by the end of the decade," he said.

Labour and Social Welfare Minister Alen Ružić highlighted the importance of the 51 Nazorova building to generations of social work students. "This is their home, this is their day," he said, stressing the link between academic education and community needs.

Science, Education and Youth Minister Radovan Fuchs said it was not enough simply to restore historic buildings to their pre-earthquake condition. "If we only restore the previous state, we have achieved nothing," he said, stressing structural reinforcement and the safety of future generations. His ministry has contracted 142 investments in research and educational infrastructure worth around €700 million.

With the opening of the two renovated buildings, the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Law enters its 250th year with most of its historic premises restored. The renovation of the building at 14 Republic of Croatia Square, expected to be completed in 2027, is set to bring the bulk of the post-earthquake reconstruction to a close.

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