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Idrija – Italian town on the border

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At the beginning of the World War II, Idrija was a town on Kingdom of Italy’s eastern border. Italian military units had already occupied the town in November of 1918, but it was not until the signing of the Treaty of Rapallo two years later that Idrija and its surrounding area was officially made part of the Italian state. From 1927 onwards, Idrija was part of the Province of Gorizia. With the incorporation of Spodnja Idrija, Vojsko, Čekovnik, Dole, and Ledine into the town in 1928, Idrija became the centre of the extended Municipality, which at the time bordered the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (SCS, which later became Yugoslavia), and later, after April of 1941, bordered the German-occupied area.

The pressures of denationalization

After the establishment of the Fascist rule in Italy, the population was substentianally subjected to denationalization. From 1924 onwards, the Municipality was run by Italian commissioners instead of Slovenian mayors. Political pluralism had vanished in the Fascist dictatorship. The Italian authorities also disbanded most of the societies and introduced membership in fascist organisations as a substitute. The use of the Slovenian language in public areas was prohibited and the Slovenian education system was disbanded. In a terrible blow, the Slovenian secondary school in Idrija was abolished in 1926, which was followed by the introduction of the Italian language in primary schools. Before and during the World War II, in their efforts to neutralise unreliable individuals, the authoroties drafted them into special (labour) battalions of the Italian military with an increasing frequency. Many nationally conscious individuals migrated to Yugoslavia. All the way up until Italy’s capitulation in September of 1943 (and in some cases even longer), the western part of the Slovenian ethnic territory seemed to be completely Italianised. The external image was shaped by Italian public signs and Italianised names of cities and streets. Slovenian personal names were also subjected to Italianisation by means of extortion.

Firmly in Italian hands

Up until 1943, Idrija was used as headquarters of various border security services. This was where the commanding offices for the units of the Royal Financial Guard belonging to the 6th legion of Trieste were set up, with subordinate units in areas of Cerkno, Idrija and Godovič. The company of a hundred militia men in Idrija covering an area between Cerkno and Hotedršica, was subordinated to the cohort of the Fascist border militia in Tolmin. Along with the commanding offices of the company of Royal Carabinieri, the office of the border police was also located in Idrija. In March 1942, a mobile unit of Public Security number 1 was established. Its task was to persecute politically unreliable individuals.

Several fascist organisations chose the former restaurant “Pri črnem orlu” in the main town squar e as their premises during the Italian period. Idrija Municipal Museum.
Several fascist organisations chose the former restaurant “Pri črnem orlu” in the main town squar e as their premises during the Italian period. Idrija Municipal Museum.


The mercury mine was vitally important for Idrija even during the Italian period. All the way up until the capitulation of Italy, the mine managed to maintain a relatively high level of production (up to 14,600 flasks per year). War conditions interrupted the mine's planned modernisation in 1941. In the photograph, we can see the mine's picking plant building from the time before the company was sold in 1940 to the private company Monte Amiata from Tuscany. Idrija Municipal Museum.
The mercury mine was vitally important for Idrija even during the Italian period. All the way up until the capitulation of Italy, the mine managed to maintain a relatively high level of production (up to 14,600 flasks per year). War conditions interrupted the mine's planned modernisation in 1941. In the photograph, we can see the mine's picking plant building from the time before the company was sold in 1940 to the private company Monte Amiata from Tuscany. Idrija Municipal Museum.


A group of Partisans from Gregorčič's brigade, which, on 22 June 1943, under the leadership of Ivan Turšič - Iztok, attacked a truck of the mobile unit of Public Security from Idrija. The attack took place in Razore, which is located between Mrzla Rupa and Vojsko. 15 Italians were killed in the attack. MNZS.
A group of Partisans from Gregorčič's brigade, which, on 22 June 1943, under the leadership of Ivan Turšič - Iztok, attacked a truck of the mobile unit of Public Security from Idrija. The attack took place in Razore, which is located between Mrzla Rupa and Vojsko. 15 Italians were killed in the attack. MNZS.


The first Partisan armed actions against the Fascist supremacy in Idrija started in 1942. They were led by Janko Premrl - Vojko. Among other things, Vojko led the attack against the Italian fortress at Črni Vrh and against the sentry crew at Marof near Idrija. In June 1942, a special court for the protection of the state senteced Janko Premrl in absence to death. The Prefect of Gorizia issued a search warrant, and promised the high amount of 50,000 lire to anyone who would find him. On 15 February 1943, he was badly wounded after fighting against the crew of Fascist forest militia by the road leading to Idrijska Bela. He died one week later as the result of the wound. MNZS.
The first Partisan armed actions against the Fascist supremacy in Idrija started in 1942. They were led by Janko Premrl - Vojko. Among other things, Vojko led the attack against the Italian fortress at Črni Vrh and against the sentry crew at Marof near Idrija. In June 1942, a special court for the protection of the state senteced Janko Premrl in absence to death. The Prefect of Gorizia issued a search warrant, and promised the high amount of 50,000 lire to anyone who would find him. On 15 February 1943, he was badly wounded after fighting against the crew of Fascist forest militia by the road leading to Idrijska Bela. He died one week later as the result of the wound. MNZS.


The Fascist regime placed great emphasis on the upbringing of youth in the spirit of militarism. In the photograph, we can see a group of young from Idrija, who were members of the Fascist youth organisation. Private archive of Slavko Moravec, Idrija War Museum.
The Fascist regime placed great emphasis on the upbringing of youth in the spirit of militarism. In the photograph, we can see a group of young from Idrija, who were members of the Fascist youth organisation. Private archive of Slavko Moravec, Idrija War Museum.


Seven mobile units under the leadership of Giuseppe Gueli responded to the Partisan attack by carrying out an extensive act of vengeance in the wider area of Vojsko. In the photograph, we can see the funeral service of the fallen Italians, who died in Razore, taking place in Idrija’s main square. Private archive of Slavko Moravec, Idrija War Museum.
Seven mobile units under the leadership of Giuseppe Gueli responded to the Partisan attack by carrying out an extensive act of vengeance in the wider area of Vojsko. In the photograph, we can see the funeral service of the fallen Italians, who died in Razore, taking place in Idrija’s main square. Private archive of Slavko Moravec, Idrija War Museum.


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