Kobarid
Encyclopedia
Kobarid is a town and a municipality in the upper Soča
valley, western Slovenia
, near the Italian
border.
Kobarid is known for the famous Battle of Caporetto
, where the Italian retreat was documented by Ernest Hemingway
in his novel A Farewell to Arms
. The battle is well documented in the museum in the centre of Kobarid. The museum won a Council of Europe
award in 1993. The adjacent Tonocov Grad archaeological site has remains of 5th century Roman
buildings.
, Julian March
Kobarid has been inhabited since pre-historical times. Archeological remains from the Hallstatt period have been found in the area. In the 6th century, it was settled by Slavic tribes, ancestors of modern Slovenes. During the Middle Ages
, it was first part of the Patriarchate of Aquileia, and later of the Tolmin
County, before being included in the Habsburg Monarchy
in the 15th century, like the majority of Slovene-speaking territories
.
With the exception of a brief period between 1809 and 1813, when it was included under the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy
, it remained under the Austria
n rule until 1918.
In the mid 19th century, it became an important center of the Slovene national revival. During World War I, the whole area was the theatre of the Battles of the Isonzo
, fought between Italy and Austria-Hungary
. The town was almost completely destroyed between 1915 and 1917. After the end of the war in 1918, it was occupied by the Italian Army, and in 1920 it was officially annexed to Italy, and included in the Julian March
region. Kobarid was a comune
of the Province of Gorizia
(as Caporetto), except during the period between 1924 and 1927, when the Province of Gorizia was abolished and annexed to the Province of Udine
. Between 1922 and 1943, Kobarid and the neighbouring villages, which had an exclusively Slovene-speaking population, was submitted to a policy of violent Fascist Italianization. Many locals emigrated to the neighbouring Kingdom of Yugoslavia
. The town became one of the crucial centres of recruitment and activity of the militant anti-fascist organization TIGR
, which carried out an underground fight against the Italian Fascist regime. During the Italian administration, Kobarid also became an important symbolic place of the Fascist regime because of its role in World War I. An Italian military sanctuary was built on the hill above the town, and Benito Mussolini
visited Kobarid in 1938. Several military memorials were built in the area.
Immediately after the Italian armistice in September 1943, Kobarid was liberated by a Partisan uprising, and became the center of large liberated area of around 2,500 square kilometers, known as the Kobarid Republic, administered by the Liberation Front of the Slovenian People
. During this period, almost all Italian families that settled in Kobarid during the twenty five years of Italian administration left the town. In early November 1943, Nazi German forces took over the town and established their rule until May 1945, when the town was finally liberated by the Yugoslav People's Army
.
In early June 1945, Kobarid came under joined British-U.S. occupation and placed under Allied temporary military administration until the establishment of a final border between Italy and Yugoslavia. The so-called Morgan Line
, which divided the Allied military occupation zone from the Yugoslav one, ran just eastwards of the town, along the Soča river.
In September 1947, the Paris Peace Treaties gave the town to Yugoslavia
, namely to the Socialist Republic of Slovenia
. Several hundred inhabitants, especially from the Breginj
area, chose emigration to Italy
rather than becoming citizens of a Communist state.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Kobarid emerged as an important tourist center. Light industry also developed.
With the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991, Kobarid became part of the independent Slovenian state.
(which is the largest party in the municipal council). However, in the mayoral elections, the voters have frequently supported independent candidates. The current mayor Darja Hauptmann is a member of the Slovenian Democratic Party.
Soca
The Soča or Isonzo is a 140 km long river that flows through western Slovenia and northeastern Italy. An Alpine river in character, its source lies in the Trenta Valley in the Julian Alps in Slovenia, at an elevation of around 1,100 metres...
valley, western Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, near the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
border.
Kobarid is known for the famous Battle of Caporetto
Battle of Caporetto
The Battle of Caporetto , took place from 24 October to 19 November 1917, near the town of Kobarid , on the Austro-Italian front of World War I...
, where the Italian retreat was documented by Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Miller Hemingway was an American author and journalist. His economic and understated style had a strong influence on 20th-century fiction, while his life of adventure and his public image influenced later generations. Hemingway produced most of his work between the mid-1920s and the...
in his novel A Farewell to Arms
A Farewell to Arms
A Farewell to Arms is a semi-autobiographical novel written by Ernest Hemingway concerning events during the Italian campaigns during the First World War. The book, which was first published in 1929, is a first-person account of American Frederic Henry, serving as a Lieutenant in the ambulance...
. The battle is well documented in the museum in the centre of Kobarid. The museum won a Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
award in 1993. The adjacent Tonocov Grad archaeological site has remains of 5th century Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
buildings.
History
See also: Gorizia and GradiscaGorizia and Gradisca
The County of Gorizia and Gradisca was a Habsburg county in Central Europe, in what is now a multilingual border area of Italy and Slovenia. It was named for its two major urban centers, Gorizia and Gradisca d'Isonzo.-Province of the Habsburg Empire:...
, Julian March
Julian March
The Julian March is a former political region of southeastern Europe on what are now the borders between Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy...
Kobarid has been inhabited since pre-historical times. Archeological remains from the Hallstatt period have been found in the area. In the 6th century, it was settled by Slavic tribes, ancestors of modern Slovenes. During the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, it was first part of the Patriarchate of Aquileia, and later of the Tolmin
Tolmin
Tolmin is a small town and municipality in the Littoral region of Slovenia.-Geography:Tolmin, the old town that gave the name to the entire area , is the largest settlement in the Upper Soča Valley , as well as its economic, cultural and administrative centre. It is located on a terrace above the...
County, before being included in the Habsburg Monarchy
Habsburg Monarchy
The Habsburg Monarchy covered the territories ruled by the junior Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg , and then by the successor House of Habsburg-Lorraine , between 1526 and 1867/1918. The Imperial capital was Vienna, except from 1583 to 1611, when it was moved to Prague...
in the 15th century, like the majority of Slovene-speaking territories
Slovene Lands
Slovene Lands or Slovenian Lands is the historical denomination for the whole of the Slovene-inhabited territories in Central Europe. It more or less corresponds to modern Slovenia and the adjacent territories in Italy, Austria and Hungary in which autochthonous Slovene minorities live.-...
.
With the exception of a brief period between 1809 and 1813, when it was included under the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy
Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)
The Kingdom of Italy was a state founded in Northern Italy by Napoleon, fully influenced by revolutionary France, that ended with his defeat and fall.-Constitutional statutes:...
, it remained under the Austria
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
n rule until 1918.
In the mid 19th century, it became an important center of the Slovene national revival. During World War I, the whole area was the theatre of the Battles of the Isonzo
Battles of the Isonzo
The Battles of the Isonzo were a series of 12 battles between the Austro-Hungarian and Italian armies in World War I. They were fought along the Soča River on the eastern sector of the Italian Front between June 1915 and November 1917...
, fought between Italy and Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
. The town was almost completely destroyed between 1915 and 1917. After the end of the war in 1918, it was occupied by the Italian Army, and in 1920 it was officially annexed to Italy, and included in the Julian March
Julian March
The Julian March is a former political region of southeastern Europe on what are now the borders between Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy...
region. Kobarid was a comune
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
of the Province of Gorizia
Province of Gorizia
The Province of Gorizia is a province in the autonomous Friuli–Venezia Giulia region of Italy.-Overview:Its capital is the city of Gorizia. It belonged to the Province of Udine between 1924 and 1927 and the communes of Sonzia, Plezzo, Bergogna, Caporetto, Tolmino, Circhina, Santa Lucia d'Isonzo,...
(as Caporetto), except during the period between 1924 and 1927, when the Province of Gorizia was abolished and annexed to the Province of Udine
Province of Udine
The Province of Udine is a province in the autonomous Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy, bordering Austria and Slovenia. Its capital is the city of Udine....
. Between 1922 and 1943, Kobarid and the neighbouring villages, which had an exclusively Slovene-speaking population, was submitted to a policy of violent Fascist Italianization. Many locals emigrated to the neighbouring Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Kingdom of Yugoslavia
The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was a state stretching from the Western Balkans to Central Europe which existed during the often-tumultuous interwar era of 1918–1941...
. The town became one of the crucial centres of recruitment and activity of the militant anti-fascist organization TIGR
TIGR
TIGR, abbreviation for Trst , Istra , Gorica and Reka , with the full name Revolutionary Organization of the Julian March T.I.G.R. was a militant anti-Fascist and insurgent organization active in the 1920s and the 1930s in the eastern Italian border region known as the Julian March.The...
, which carried out an underground fight against the Italian Fascist regime. During the Italian administration, Kobarid also became an important symbolic place of the Fascist regime because of its role in World War I. An Italian military sanctuary was built on the hill above the town, and Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
visited Kobarid in 1938. Several military memorials were built in the area.
Immediately after the Italian armistice in September 1943, Kobarid was liberated by a Partisan uprising, and became the center of large liberated area of around 2,500 square kilometers, known as the Kobarid Republic, administered by the Liberation Front of the Slovenian People
Liberation Front of the Slovenian People
On 26 April 1941 in Ljubljana the Anti-Imperialist Front was established. It was to promote "an international massive movement" to "liberate the Slovenian nation" whose "hope and example was the Soviet Union"...
. During this period, almost all Italian families that settled in Kobarid during the twenty five years of Italian administration left the town. In early November 1943, Nazi German forces took over the town and established their rule until May 1945, when the town was finally liberated by the Yugoslav People's Army
Yugoslav People's Army
The Yugoslav People's Army , also referred to as the Yugoslav National Army , was the military of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.-Origins:The origins of the JNA can...
.
In early June 1945, Kobarid came under joined British-U.S. occupation and placed under Allied temporary military administration until the establishment of a final border between Italy and Yugoslavia. The so-called Morgan Line
Morgan Line
The Morgan Line was the line of demarcation set up after World War II in the region known as Julian March which prior to the war belonged to the Kingdom of Italy. The Morgan Line was the border between two military administrations in the region: the Yugoslav on the east, and that of the Allied...
, which divided the Allied military occupation zone from the Yugoslav one, ran just eastwards of the town, along the Soča river.
In September 1947, the Paris Peace Treaties gave the town to Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
, namely to the Socialist Republic of Slovenia
Socialist Republic of Slovenia
The Socialist Republic of Slovenia was a socialist state that was a constituent country of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1943 until 1990...
. Several hundred inhabitants, especially from the Breginj
Breginj
Breginj is a village in the Kobarid municipality in the Littoral region of Slovenia.Until the 18th century, Breginj was part of the Republic of Venice, and it is still considered as part of the historical region known as the Venetian Slovenia...
area, chose emigration to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
rather than becoming citizens of a Communist state.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Kobarid emerged as an important tourist center. Light industry also developed.
With the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991, Kobarid became part of the independent Slovenian state.
Politics
The municipality of Kobarid is governed by a mayor, elected by popular vote every 4 years, and a municipal council of 16 members. In both the local and the national elections, Kobarid tends to favor conservative parties, especially the Slovenian Democratic PartySlovenian Democratic Party
The Slovenian Democratic Party , known until 2003 as the Social Democratic Party of Slovenia is a Slovenian centre-right liberal conservative and Christian democratic party...
(which is the largest party in the municipal council). However, in the mayoral elections, the voters have frequently supported independent candidates. The current mayor Darja Hauptmann is a member of the Slovenian Democratic Party.
Famous natives
Famous natives from Kobarid municipality include:- Anton Gregorčič, Conservative politician
- Simon GregorčičSimon GregorcicSimon Gregorčič was a Slovene poet and Roman Catholic priest.- Biography :Gregorčič was born in the small mountain village of Vrsno above the river Soča in the County of Gorizia and Gradisca. In 1851, he attended primary school in Libušnje, but was in 1855 sent to school in Gorizia. After...
, poet (born in the village of VrsnoVrsno, KobaridVrsno is a small village in the Kobarid municipality in the Littoral region of Slovenia.It is best known as the birthplace of the poet Simon Gregorčič. Since 1966, Gregorčič's home has housed a small ethnographical museum, with some exhibits from the poet's life.-External links:*...
) - Joža Lovrenčič, expressionist poet and educator
- Andrej Manfreda, anti-Fascist resistance fighter, member of TIGRTIGRTIGR, abbreviation for Trst , Istra , Gorica and Reka , with the full name Revolutionary Organization of the Julian March T.I.G.R. was a militant anti-Fascist and insurgent organization active in the 1920s and the 1930s in the eastern Italian border region known as the Julian March.The...
- Josip Pagliaruzzi, poet
- Simon RutarSimon RutarSimon Rutar , was a Slovene historian and geographer. He wrote primarily on the history and geography of the areas that are now part of the Slovenian Littoral, the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and the Croatian counties of Istria and Primorsko-Goranska.- Biography :Rutar was born in a...
, historian (born in the village of KrnKrn (village)Krn is a small village under the Krn mountain in the Kobarid Municipality in the Littoral region of Slovenia.It is the birthplace of the Slovene historian Simon Rutar.-External links:*...
) - Jožef ŠkolčJožef ŠkolcJožef Školč is a Slovenian left liberal politician. He is currently serving as State Secretary for the Relations with NGOs in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister of Slovenia....
, Liberal politician (born in BreginjBreginjBreginj is a village in the Kobarid municipality in the Littoral region of Slovenia.Until the 18th century, Breginj was part of the Republic of Venice, and it is still considered as part of the historical region known as the Venetian Slovenia...
) - Ivan Urbančič, philosopher (born in RočinjRocinjRočinj is a village on the right bank of the river Soča in the Kanal Municipality in the Littoral region of Slovenia.The Parish Church in the settlement is dedicated to Saint Andrew and belongs to the Diocese of Koper. A second church belonging to this parish is built on a hill above the...
) - Andrej Uršič, journalist, political activist
See also
- Battles of the IsonzoBattles of the IsonzoThe Battles of the Isonzo were a series of 12 battles between the Austro-Hungarian and Italian armies in World War I. They were fought along the Soča River on the eastern sector of the Italian Front between June 1915 and November 1917...
- County of Gorizia and Gradisca
- GoriškaGoriškaGoriška is a traditional region in western Slovenia on the border with Italy. The name means "the Gorizia region" because it is named after Gorizia, Italy. It is part of the wider traditional region of the Slovenian Littoral . Its principal urban center is Nova Gorica...
- Slovene Littoral
External links
- Kobarid, official page of municipality in Slovene, English, Italian and German
- Museum of World War I, Kobarid - English and Slovene
- LTO Sotočje, local tourist board - tourist info about the area: lodgings, natural features... (Slovene, English, German, Italian)
- The Walks of Peace in the Soča Region Foundation. The Foundation preserves, restores and presents the historical and cultural heritage of the First World War in the area of the Isonzo Front for the study, tourist and educational purposes. (The website is in Slovenian, English, German and Italian language.)