The Diocese of Požega

The Diocese of Požega was founded in 1997 and the seat became the building of a former Jesuit residence, called Collegium (Kolegij). The derelict and devastated building was thoroughly renovated and adapted for new purposes between 1997 and 2001 according to the designs of a Zagreb architect, Ana Nada Krpelnik.

The building had been built by the Jesuits in 1710, and from 1731 it was used for the Collegium that also boarded students. After the Jesuits and Paulists had been abolished, between 1788 and 1830 the building served as a military warehouse, hospital, a military inn during the Austrian-French wars, and finally a commercial warehouse. It was re-acquired by Aleksandar Alagović, a Zagreb Bishop in 1832 and he placed Orfanotrofij (Orphanage) in it.

In 1904 a third floor was added, and the building got its present main façade according to the designs of Janko Holjac, a Zagreb architect, and it became the biggest and tallest building in Požega.

Communists nationalized the building in 1946. A Student home was placed in Collegium, together with some other institutions (Financial Police, State Archives, hospitality facilities).

Požega-Slavonia County and the city of Požega returned the Collegium building to the Diocese of Zagreb in 1995 with a charter, which then began the renovation of the building. Two years later, the Diocese of Požega was founded, and the building of the former Collegium became its seat.