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Žiri as part of the liberated territory

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It was also in Žiri that the difficult conditions and the opposition to the occupation provoked resistance on the part of the population, which led some of them to join the National Liberation Movement. The first Liberation Front (OF) Committee for Žiri was founded in September 1941. The Partisan units were then stationed in various locations in Žiri and its surrounding area. Their pressure on the German positions in the town was increasing. This led to additional fortifications of German quarters in the old and new presbyteries, as well as in Sokolski dom. On the ground floor, the Germans boarded up the windows, covered them with bags of sand, and designed hidden holes through which they could shoot. By cutting down a line of shrubbery and laying down landmines, they also protected the only road permitted for the use connecting Žiri and Škofja Loka. In order for the Germans to more easily control the population, homeowners had to fill out lists with the names of all residents of their respective buildings, and hang them on the inner side of the main entrance. When this measure also proved to be ineffective, the German commanders decided to retreat from Žiri. After a few days of armed conflict, German retreat was finally made possible on 23 October 1943 with the help of the infantry from Škofja Loka, a rapid-fire cannon, and two tanks. The Germans managed to fill 20 vehicles with footwear (over a thousand pairs of shoes) and various requisites, which they took with them.

The plundered town became part of the liberated territory. 24 October 1943 saw the establishment of the National Liberation Committee for the Municipal area of Žiri, which was the first of its kind in the region of Gorenjska. In spring of 1944, the Slovenian education system was restored. The education processes were carried out in various locations in the best possible scope. Namely, the local population was under constant pressure of the occupiers and collaborating units. The new authorities decided in February of 1944 to burn down the following public facilities: Sokolski dom, the educational building, the municipal building, the new and the old presbyteries, the school, sexton’s building, and the customs office in Osojnica. The Allied air raid in February of 1945 also contributed to the town’s demolition. Conflicts and pressures on the local population by various military units (Partisans, occupiers, and collaborators) had become part of the daily routine, due to the fact that, in its final two years, the war became completely widespread, which resulted in 312 residents of Žiri region losing their lives.

Partisan maps of Žirovski Vrh, including the settlements in Žiri, and Gorenja Vas, which was surrounded with barbed wire by the Germans. When the Germans regained control over Poljane in 1944, they also surrounded it with barbed wire and bunkers. SI ZAL ŠKL, 0268, 3, C-VI-3-l-11.
Partisan maps of Žirovski Vrh, including the settlements in Žiri, and Gorenja Vas, which was surrounded with barbed wire by the Germans. When the Germans regained control over Poljane in 1944, they also surrounded it with barbed wire and bunkers. SI ZAL ŠKL, 0268, 3, C-VI-3-l-11.


In the final years of the war, the population had to confront violence with an increased frequency. On 12 September 1944, Chetniks and Home Guard members from Vrh Svetih Treh Kraljev shot five hostages in Mršak. The selected photograph depicts the washing of one of the hostages before he was layed into his coffin. MNZS.
In the final years of the war, the population had to confront violence with an increased frequency. On 12 September 1944, Chetniks and Home Guard members from Vrh Svetih Treh Kraljev shot five hostages in Mršak. The selected photograph depicts the washing of one of the hostages before he was layed into his coffin. MNZS.


The graph presents the structure of the World War II victims in Žiri Region. The graph is based on the following article: Zajec, Vse žrtve druge svetovne vojne med Žirovci.
The map depicts the liberated territory, which included Žiri. Following the liberation, the Regional Committee for Gorenjska was temporarily stationed at Ledinica (near Kokelj). The intelligence headquarters was placed at Pepl, while Security and Intelligence Service’s (VOS) commanders were stationed in Jarčja Dolina (near Žust).
The map depicts the liberated territory, which included Žiri. Following the liberation, the Regional Committee for Gorenjska was temporarily stationed at Ledinica (near Kokelj). The intelligence headquarters was placed at Pepl, while Security and Intelligence Service’s (VOS) commanders were stationed in Jarčja Dolina (near Žust).


Just like during the German occupation, the Partisans carried out mobilisation and collection of resources for its units. The photograph depicts shoes that were confiscated by the Prešeren brigade in January of 1944 at Zajec near Žiri. MNZS.
Just like during the German occupation, the Partisans carried out mobilisation and collection of resources for its units. The photograph depicts shoes that were confiscated by the Prešeren brigade in January of 1944 at Zajec near Žiri. MNZS.


In the surrounding area of Žiri, there was a number of Home Guard’s military bases. One of them was located in Rovte. The photograph shows the base in Rovte during the anti-Communist rally on 27 August 1944, which was also attended by Leon Rupnik. MNZS.
In the surrounding area of Žiri, there was a number of Home Guard’s military bases. One of them was located in Rovte. The photograph shows the base in Rovte during the anti-Communist rally on 27 August 1944, which was also attended by Leon Rupnik. MNZS.


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