For centuries this was the headquarters of the Teutonic Knights of the Cross (Križniki). They built a commandery here in the early 13th century, which was transformed into the Križanke monastery complex in the early 18th century, which today serves as a concert hall and performance space. The Ilirija Column in the centre of the square recalls Napoleon’s Illyrian Provinces (1809–13), when Slovene was taught in schools for the first time.
