Page 273 - Panjek, Aleksander, Jesper Larsson and Luca Mocarelli, eds. 2017. Integrated Peasant Economy in a Comparative Perspective: Alps, Scandinavia and Beyond. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 273
tourism as a source of non-agricultural rural income: the case of the karst
land – Abtheilung für Grottenforschung) in 1884, which also acquired the
lease of the Škocjan Caves in the same year from the Municipality of Nak-
lo. In fact, a systematic penetration along the river and exploration of the
caves began, where an important role was also played by the local inhabi-
tants as recognised by the most prominent members of the alpine society
(Müller 2013, 39). Tourist paths were regulated, bridges were built, guided
tours were arranged and an entrance fee was collected (Müller 1887, 9–10;
Pazze 1893, 207–12; Shaw 2008, 51–2). Although the involvement of the lo-
cal peasant population was clear, no data about a retribution for their work
was found.
Contrary to the Postojna Cave, which was under public administrative
authority (district governor), the Škocjan caves and its surrounding terri-
tory were common land of the Municipality of Naklo from the second half
of the 19th century onwards.7 The local community clearly exploited its as-
sets trying to gain some profit from it. The alpine society acquired the lease
for the cave administration, for an annual retribution of 10 guldens (Pazze
1893, 166). A similar process was going on also in caves Vilenica and Di-
vača.
With the beginning of the administration, by the speleology division
of the Alpine society, a regulation was released (Kundmachung, betreffend
die Rekahöhlen von St. Canzian) in which fees were regulated as well. Be-
sides the entrance ticket of 30 kr., the guiding service was also charged 20
kr. for one hour guidance per person, if there were more visitors (but not
more than three per guide) they payed 10 kr. each. Lighting was charged ex-
tra, according to Müllers guide a candle cost 10 kr. The entrance was free
for the members of the German-Austrian Alpine Society (Illustirter Führer
1897, 91; Müller 1887, 108). The entrance ticket could be purchased in Mata-
vun’s inn Zu den St. Canzianer-Grotten where information about the prices
was provided in three languages: der Tarif für Führer und Beleuchtung in 3
Sprachen, deutsch, slavisch [slovene] und italienisch. In Müller’s guidebook
the names of the guides, local inhabitants of the village of Matavun, were
published: Jože Antončič, Miha Gombač, Luka Gombač, Jože Cerkvenik
(father), Pavel Antončič, Juri Cerkvenik, Jože Cerkvenik. Except for Jože
Cerkvenik and Paul Antončič all the other guides spoke at least basic Ital-
ian. Jože Antončič spoke a bit of German too. Other peasants from the
nearby villages of Matavun and St. Canzian are mentioned as guides as
7 Although some cave entrances were private property of the local inhabitants, who
also signed the lease contract (Pazze 1893, 165–6; Puc 2015, 32).
271
land – Abtheilung für Grottenforschung) in 1884, which also acquired the
lease of the Škocjan Caves in the same year from the Municipality of Nak-
lo. In fact, a systematic penetration along the river and exploration of the
caves began, where an important role was also played by the local inhabi-
tants as recognised by the most prominent members of the alpine society
(Müller 2013, 39). Tourist paths were regulated, bridges were built, guided
tours were arranged and an entrance fee was collected (Müller 1887, 9–10;
Pazze 1893, 207–12; Shaw 2008, 51–2). Although the involvement of the lo-
cal peasant population was clear, no data about a retribution for their work
was found.
Contrary to the Postojna Cave, which was under public administrative
authority (district governor), the Škocjan caves and its surrounding terri-
tory were common land of the Municipality of Naklo from the second half
of the 19th century onwards.7 The local community clearly exploited its as-
sets trying to gain some profit from it. The alpine society acquired the lease
for the cave administration, for an annual retribution of 10 guldens (Pazze
1893, 166). A similar process was going on also in caves Vilenica and Di-
vača.
With the beginning of the administration, by the speleology division
of the Alpine society, a regulation was released (Kundmachung, betreffend
die Rekahöhlen von St. Canzian) in which fees were regulated as well. Be-
sides the entrance ticket of 30 kr., the guiding service was also charged 20
kr. for one hour guidance per person, if there were more visitors (but not
more than three per guide) they payed 10 kr. each. Lighting was charged ex-
tra, according to Müllers guide a candle cost 10 kr. The entrance was free
for the members of the German-Austrian Alpine Society (Illustirter Führer
1897, 91; Müller 1887, 108). The entrance ticket could be purchased in Mata-
vun’s inn Zu den St. Canzianer-Grotten where information about the prices
was provided in three languages: der Tarif für Führer und Beleuchtung in 3
Sprachen, deutsch, slavisch [slovene] und italienisch. In Müller’s guidebook
the names of the guides, local inhabitants of the village of Matavun, were
published: Jože Antončič, Miha Gombač, Luka Gombač, Jože Cerkvenik
(father), Pavel Antončič, Juri Cerkvenik, Jože Cerkvenik. Except for Jože
Cerkvenik and Paul Antončič all the other guides spoke at least basic Ital-
ian. Jože Antončič spoke a bit of German too. Other peasants from the
nearby villages of Matavun and St. Canzian are mentioned as guides as
7 Although some cave entrances were private property of the local inhabitants, who
also signed the lease contract (Pazze 1893, 165–6; Puc 2015, 32).
271
