Cathedral of Saint Bonaventure

The first cathedral in Gothic style was built between 1885 and 1887. A month after arriving in Banja Luka, on July 16, 1884, Friar Marijan Marković laid the foundation stone of the first cathedral on land provided by the Territorial Government from Sarajevo. The construction cost 26,000 forints at the time and was completed in 1887 with the help of numerous donors, particularly the Trappists from the Marija Zvijezda monastery. Alongside it, the bishop's residence was also built. The cathedral was severely damaged in the catastrophic earthquake that struck Banja Luka in 1969, to the extent that it had to be completely demolished.

The new cathedral was built between 1972 and 1973 in a modern style, shaped like a tent, reminiscent of the Old Testament tabernacle as a place...

The first cathedral in Gothic style was built between 1885 and 1887. A month after arriving in Banja Luka, on July 16, 1884, Friar Marijan Marković laid the foundation stone of the first cathedral on land provided by the Territorial Government from Sarajevo. The construction cost 26,000 forints at the time and was completed in 1887 with the help of numerous donors, particularly the Trappists from the Marija Zvijezda monastery. Alongside it, the bishop's residence was also built. The cathedral was severely damaged in the catastrophic earthquake that struck Banja Luka in 1969, to the extent that it had to be completely demolished.

The new cathedral was built between 1972 and 1973 in a modern style, shaped like a tent, reminiscent of the Old Testament tabernacle as a place of prayer and sacrifice to God, as well as the suffering of the local believers who, after the earthquake, lived under tents for a long time. The bell tower next to the cathedral, which houses five bells and a clock, was built in 1990. The cathedral was only recently completely finished and thoroughly renovated, and it was consecrated on December 1, 2001, on the 120th anniversary of the establishment of the diocese.

Next to the cathedral, a bishop’s house was built in 1885, later expanded several times. A few years ago, it was converted into a Caritas medical center with clinics available to numerous poor patients regardless of nationality or religious affiliation.

The Bishop’s Ordinariate is housed in the Priests' Home, built in 1989, which contains the official offices of the ordinariate, accommodations for the bishop and his closest associates, as well as for elderly and sick priests. Also located here are various diocesan offices and institutions, including Iustitia et Pax, the Catechetical Office, the Diocesan Archive, and the library, among others.