The article offers a historical review of the space in front of the Gruber Palace which today is included in public green spaces of the city of Ljubljana. The space was in use since the early settlements in Ljubljana and was, from the Middle Ages until the late 18th century, a densely built-up area. After 1775, the land in front of the palace was bought by Gabriel Gruber who planned to turn it into a state shipyard, but ended up selling it soon after to Dominik Hron. After that, the land changed hands several times, among the subsequent owners the author draws particular attention to the baroness Genovefa Rastern and Anton Virant. After 1900, the garden, then owned by the state, was designed in the fashionable Secession style, and although the city of Ljubljana had several plans to change the garden in the 20th century, none of these plans were actually realized.