Ježica

Ježica
Ježica Location in Slovenia
Coordinates:
Country	Slovenia
Traditional region	Upper Carniola
Statistical region	Central Slovenia
Municipality	Ljubljana
Elevation	303 m (994 ft)

Ježica (pronounced [ˈjeːʒitsa]; German: Jeschza) is a formerly independent settlement in the northern part of the capital Ljubljana in central Slovenia. It was part of the traditional region of Upper Carniola and is now included with the rest of the municipality in the Central Slovenia Statistical Region.

Geography

Ježica is a clustered settlement in an open, sunny area along the Sava River, originally consisting of a core of farms on the high terrace above the Sava. The soil is sandy and there are fields to the west.

Name

Ježica was attested in written sources in 1356 as Gezziczsch (and as Yessicz in 1425 and Jesicz in 1464). The name is a diminutive derived from the Slovene common noun ježa ("small grassy slope between two flat areas in a valley"), referring to the local geography (cf. Ježa). In the past the German name was Jeschza.

History

Roman era

The Roman road from Emona to Celeia passed through Ježica, crossing the Sava River, and a Roman settlement is believed to have stood at the site. In 1880 a Roman grave was discovered near the church. When the Roman Empire collapsed, migrating tribes destroyed the bridge. It was replaced with a ferry that operated until 1724.

Early modern era

In 1515, 6,000 peasants gathered where the spa now stands and negotiated with the imperial commissioners, led by Styrian governor Sigmund Dietrichstein. The officials tried to placate the peasants, but they were unsuccessful, leading to the 1515 Slovene Peasant Revolt.

Foundation of the old wooden bridge (1724–1846), where motorhomes are parked today

In 1713, plans were made for the new road from Vienna to Trieste. The work was finished in 1730, and the new bridge was built in Ježica: the first since the destruction of the Roman bridge. Ježica was an important site because it controlled access to the bridge across the Sava; a large building known as Grad (literally, 'castle') was a former toll house for the bridge. The building was owned by the Tavčar family before the Second World War.

Modern era

A new bridge was built over the Sava in 1846, and was the basis for today's bridge. A school was built in Ježica in 1869, and regular schooling started in 1871. The Kamnik Railway was laid through Ježica in 1891, and a new train station named Tauzherhof was established at Ježica in 1893. The 1895 Ljubljana earthquake also caused damage in Ježica, especially to the church, which was repaired afterwards.

The first fire department was established in 1902 at the initiative of Mayor Anton Vilfan. In 1910, Ježica's first post office was established, the train station was renamed Jeschza, and water mains were installed. During the First World War, soldiers were quartered in people's homes, inns, and shops. Italian forces managed to approach Ježica in May, 1916 and Bregar's Meadow (Slovene: Bregarjev travnik) near the Russian Czar Inn was shelled.

Second World War

Ježica bus station at the former Italian-German border. The Italian border station is on the left.

On April 11, 1941 Ježica was occupied up to the Sava River by the Italian Army, although the locals had expected occupation by the German Army. German forces occupied the territory east of the bridge, and the border between Italy and Germany was established at the Črnuče Bridge. A few months later, the border was shifted a few meters south. The border crossed an area with fields called Prod, below the villages of Savlje and Kleče. The Germans built a road through the area known as Nemška cesta (German Street), today's Obvozna cesta (Bypass Street). A new railway was also built, connecting Kamnik and the Upper Carniola Gorenjska Railway, which extended east to the village of Laze pri Dolskem. The border was secured with wire fencing, minefields, and watchtowers. The main border crossing was in Ježica, where the bus station is today. Two border checkpoints still stand today. On September 7, 1941 the first resistance against the Italian forces was carried out, when a night patrol of Italian border finance police was attacked in Mala Vas. Two policemen were badly injured. The date was declared a memorial day in Ježica in 1955. After the 1943 Armistice of Cassibile, the Italian army left Ježica along with the rest of Ljubljana, and the German army moved in. This led to establishment of Domobranstvo. The Slovene Partisans entered Ježica together with the rest of Ljubljana in May 1945.

SFR Yugoslavia

Rebuilding of Ježica began soon after the war. An agricultural cooperative was established in 1947. Bus service was established, and then a trolleybus in 1958, which was discontinued in 1968. A Partisan grave and cenotaph was created at the Stožice Cemetery in 1950, and a plaque honoring the People's Hero Danila Kumar was installed in 1955. In 1961, Ježica annexed the former village of Mala Vas na Posavju. In the 1970s, the BS 7 apartment blocks were built nearby, connecting urban area with the rest of Ljubljana. Ježica was annexed by the City of Ljubljana in 1974, ending its existence as an independent settlement.

Independent Slovenia

Ježica looks very different today than in the past, especially its surroundings. The small village became part of the city Ljubljana. Some houses stayed as they were, but many are being built that are changing village identity. Tourism as it was in the past is gone. Famous inns are only shadows of the early past that represented them. One of rare new things that Ježica gained in last years is new park, established in 2014. It extends from Ježica to Jarše and has new benches, sport requisites, horse riding, bike and recreation routes. Another recent addition is the roundabout, build in 2012, as well as the renovated Črnuče bridge. A new acquisition is also Hotel Florjančkov Hram, build in 2014.

Future

City Municipality of Ljubljana has plans for extension of Vienna street (Dunajska cesta) and for a new part of the road from Russian Czar to Obvozna cesta, crossing Ježica. Obvozna cesta itself is planned for renovation also. Renovated road will cross Ježica through the bus station. A large number of houses are planned for demolition. On a grass field that stands north of Russian Czar, plans are to build new apartment blocks and business spaces, proposed as the new center of the district community Posavje. All plans are very expansive, what makes them unlikely to happen. For some people, this would represent a big acquisition, but for many others, it would mean strong activity in area and violence, forced with new buildings and objects. There is, however, opposition for the Dunajska road extension among residents.

Demography

• 1787 – 32 houses and 172 residents.
• 1935 – 131 resident objects with 319 flats and 278 families. 510 working men and 574 women.
• 2013 – between 500–600 residents.

Streets

• Ježica – named after the village. This address have houses in upper part of the village.
• Stara Ježica – means old Ježica. This address have houses in lower part of the village.
• Na Produ – means on the river gravel. This address have houses at Sava river, near Ježica driving School.
• Ulica Bratov Čebulj – Brother Čebulj street. Named after brothers Alojz (1913-1942), Vinko (1914-1941) and Franc Čebulj (1916-1942), born in Mala vas. Activists and fighters for Liberation Front of the Slovene Nation. Alojz died in war under Krvavec, Vinko was killed by belogardists in Savlje, Franc was killed on Osovnik hill above Škofja loka, where memorial plaque stands today.
• Za gasilskim domom – means behind Fire station. This address have houses behind the fire station.
• Ulica bratov Kunovar – Brother Kunovar street. Named after brothers Franc (1909-1942) and Slavko (1919- 1943), born in Ježica. Activists and fighters of Liberation Front of the Slovene Nation. Franc died in war in Udinboršt near Kranj, Slavko died in war in Kališe under Kamnik.
• Kališnikov trg - Kališnik place. Named after Jože Kališnik, born 1923 in Buč. Young activist, partisan since 1942, died in war 1943 near Podutik, killed by belogardists.
• Ulica Danile Kumar – Danila Kumar street. Named after Danila Kumar (1921-1944) born in Hum at Kojsko. Activist, soldier of Tomšič brigade since 1942, later activist of Liberation Front of the Slovene Nation. Died in war near Lubnik at Škofja loka. School in Stožice is named after her.
• Udvančeva ulica - Udvanc street. Named after Matija Udvanc (1912-1942) born in Ježica, locksmith, member of Yugoslavian Communist party, Yugoslav volunteer in the Spanish Civil War and partisan. Died as commander of Selška troop, together with Stane Žagar at battle with German defense in Planica near Žabnica.
• Kratka pot - means short track. This address have houses near Spa Laguna.
• Tesovnikova ulica - Tesovnik street. Named after Viktor Tesovnik, born 1928 in Nova Štifta. Young activist for Liberation Front of the Slovene Nation, soldier since 1944, than officer in Yugoslav People's Army. Died from consequences of wounds in 1949.

Tourism

Started to develop in the end of 19th century, when people of Ljubljana visited famous inns, known for Ježica. In that time, esthetic Tyršer road (today Dunajska road) led here, decorated with linden avenue. Magnet for people of Ljubljana was also the Sava river, suitable for refreshing. This place became even more popular when Stern build spa. During war tourism died. After 1965 when autocamp was established, tourists started to return. Unlike before, mostly forener tourists started coming. But their reason was vicinity of Ljubljana, which was their main goal to see. In year 1984 more than 25.000 guests visited municipality Bežigrad, where mostly Ježica had its accommodations. This ranked municipality in 18th place, among other municipalities in Slovenia, comparing number of tourists. Today's type of tourists stays the same as they were in the near past. This are mostly foreners visiting Ljubljana, while village Ježica brings them no interests. New tourist acquisition is the new hotel, part of Florjančkov hram complex. Unfortunately architecture of the new hotel isn't appropriate for this surrounding and represents improper case of urban architecture.

Inns

Restaurant Štern

What made Ježica so special in the past were famous inns, visited by people of Ljubljana mostly in weekends. In the beginning of 20th century most popular inns were Tavčar (pri Tavčarju), Florjanček (pri Florjančku), Štern (pri Šternu), Aleš (pri Alešu), Angelca (pri Angelci). Today's inns that still exists here are only faint shadow of those in the past. Only Tavčar, Štern and Florjanček exist, meanwhile Aleš and Angelca building still stands but do not work as inns.

• Tavčarjev dvor – Build in 1906, successor of old inn with the same name that operated in today's car school building, next to it. Name derives from German Count Tavčar. His inn was named Tavčar hoff or Tauzherhof. Inn that operates today, was popular among residents of Ljubljana, visiting in weekends, when coming to swim in Sava river. During the World War II, Germans had their quarters here for bridge defense. After the war police and later residents stayed in this house. It was nationalized and later catering company Bežigrad became the manager. Now it is in private ownership for few decades. It's glory is past and today only passers stop by to get a drink.
• Restaurant Štern – Built in 1928. First owner was the vine seller Stern, from upper Carniola. During World War II, Italian army stayed in. After the war it was nationalized and became the restaurant and spa of Municipality Bežigrad. Restaurant still works today. It serves Slovenian and other dishes.
• Florjančkov hram – exists since 1792, named Pri Florjančku (at Florjanček) in the past. It was old furman restaurant. Fran levec, famous historian and literature critic was born here in 1846. France Prešeren, famous Slovenian poem liked to visit Florjanček in the past. It was known for good local food, produced on their farms. Tradition is their priority even today, so Slovenian food is main offer.
• Horses pub – Newer pub, established in 1997 that became quite popular among people.

Spa and resort

The history of spa starts in '30s, when the wine seller Stern built the first building and inn which stands even today. Next to them he built wardrobe and showers. Horse stable stood here also. Soon he built wooden pools with sand. They served for people with reumathism. War suppressed the development of spa and it started to decay. After the war it was nationalized. New manager became recreation center Ježica. In 1965 autocamp was established near spa with camping site, resort houses, bungalows, summer and winter swimming pool and bowling alley. After 1991 began the time of denationalization and time without ownership, which lead in the decay of the resort. Nevertheless, four swimming pools stood here until 2005, very popular among locals. In 2005 swimming pool was renovated, new hydromassage pools were built and spa was renamed in Laguna Ljubljana city beach. Since then, prices went up and spa became the most expensive swimming resort in Ljubljana.

Holidays

• Slovene quintain – A form of quintain known as štehvanje was introduced to Ježica and neighboring villages in 1935. This Slovenian competition originates from the Gail Valley, and the event is held in June.
• Gasilska veselica (Firefighters party) – These parties are common in Slovenia for every village or town. So Ježica has its party also. Organized continuously since 2012 after many year-long pause. Party is usually organized in May.
• 7 September – memorial day, celebrated every year on the date of 7 September, near the street of the same name, in memory of local activists, the first to resist the fascism in Ježica in World War II.

Sava river

Sava between Gameljne and Ježica

Had big influence on people that lived here in the past. Most sufficient place for building bridge here was noticed in the Roman times. Reason is that terrace called ježa is closest to the rocky hill Tabor, that presents labile surface, apropiate for building bridge. River was different in the past as it looks today. It winding stream was typical for Sava on Ljubljana field. It was concerning the gravel and generated large gravel bars. Floods were common on the land under terrace called ježa. This is the land where we can find cultivated fields and lower part of the village, today. On Franciscan cadastre (year 1825) two bridges higher than the main bridge over Sava, are seen. Both served as bridges over the two Sava branches. One is steel visible, and its hard to amagine that Sava flew so much higher as it does today. It looked like that until 19th century when regulation began. Biggest regulation of the river was made in 1895, from Tacen to Šentjakob. Work ended in 1908. Soon river showed its power. River stream became much stronger because an increase of inclination. Erosive strength became more powerful also. River returned in its old river bed conditions in 1935, and 90% of human work was ruined. Another problem of regulation was groundwater, which level fall for 7m in water station Kleče.

In 1953 a hydroelectric power plant was built in Medvode. Because of that, river bed was deepening until it reached carbon rock base, most noticeable in Ježica. Reason is that HE Medvode stopped the gravel in upper part of the river. The gravel in the lower part of the river was carried downstream, so now carbon rock is seen by the river. Flooding surface around Ježica is now lost and water flows to the lower parts of Slovenia and Croatia where it makes problems with flooding.

River Sava shores were popular among people yet in the past. In 19. Century shores in Ježica presented popular swimming recreation area. Quality of the water today is bad, so it is not recomanded to swim. Still it is much better than in second half of 20th century. City Municipality of Ljubljana has plans to improve water quality so it will be appropriate to swim again. Swimming places are planned in Ježica. Another problem are wastes, endless case with no solutions and motivation to solve this problem. Criminal and sexual harassment is also reported often. Shores north from Črnuče bridge became known as gay beach and are known for sexual adventures.

Church

St. Cantianus's Church

The church in Ježica is dedicated to Saint Cantianus and was built on the site of a medieval predecessor mentioned in written records in 1526. The new church was built from 1792 to 1802, and an east addition was built in 1938 based on plans by the architect Vinko Glanz (1902–1977). The painting of the Holy Cross is an 1802 work by Andreas Herrlein (1739–1837), the Stations of the Cross are the work of Leopold Layer (1752–1828), the pulpit painting by Mirko Šubic (1900–1976), and the mosaic by Stane Kregar (1905–1973). The main altar was designed by the architect Ciril Zazula (1924–1995) and the side altars by Janko Omahen (1898–1980). Ježica was originally part of the proto-parish of Saint Peter in Ljubljana. It became a quasi-parish in 1787 and was elevated to a parish in 1850. There is an old wayside shrine below the church.

Other cultural heritage

• Bunker no. 1 stands on the right bank of the Sava River. It was built by the Yugoslav Army between 1939 and 1940.
• Bunker no. 2 stands near the railway bridge on the right bank of the Sava River. It was built by the Yugoslav Army between 1939 and 1940. It is the largest of the bunkers that protected the passage across the river.
• Bunker no. 3 stands on the right bank of the Sava River. It was built by the Yugoslav Army between 1939 and 1940.
• The house at Vienna Street (Dunajska cesta) no. 254 is a single-story building. In the past it was the Aleš Inn (pri Alešu). It has a symmetrical double-pitched roof and two dormers. The year 1850 is carved into the door frame.
• The driving school building was a toll house in the past, where tolls were collected along the road from Vienna to Trieste. The building was much smaller until the mid-19th century, when it was remodeled in the form it has today.
• There is a small bridge on Vienna Street (Dunajska cesta), near the Florjanček Inn (Florjančkov hram). It stands on a former branch of the Sava River that filled during flooding.
• A plaque was installed in 1974 at the spa to commemorate the 1515 peasant revolt.

Gallery

• 

  Bridge on the Sava River branch

• 

  Bunker no. 2

• 

  The former Aleš Inn

• 

  The Ježica driving school

Notable people

Notable people that were born or lived in Ježica include:

• Jurij Japelj (1744–1807), first parish priest, translator, and philologist
• Franc Levec (1846–1916), literary historian, linguist, editor of the journal Ljubljanski zvon
• Alojzij Merhar (a.k.a. Silvin Sardenko) (1876–1942), poet, writer, playwright, and editor
• Jožef Prešern (1752–1835), parish priest and uncle of the poet France Prešeren
• Janez Pucelj (a.k.a. Ivan Pucelj) (1890–1964), poet and translator
• Matija Sitar (1860–1903), art historian
• France Škerl (1909–1985), historian
• Feliks Skerlep (1904–1980), horticulturalist

External links

• Media related to at Wikimedia Commons
• Ježica on Geopedia