Page 277 - 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. 277
tourism as a source of non-agricultural rural income: the case of the karst
er inhabitants in the guiding activity is related to the lack of knowledge of
foreign languages. According to the collected data by Matjaž Puc, author
of several publications about karst caves, other earnings were more signif-
icant to the inhabitants of Divača or perhaps they did not have an interest
in getting involved in this type of activity (Puc 1999, 25). Why did the lo-
cals, beside Žiberna, not have any interest in getting involved in this pro-
cess? One of the reasons could be danger (i.e. accidents in the cave during
exploration) or a financially relatively insignificant income. The problem
might have also been the inadequate regulation of the guiding itself and the
fee collection15 in the cave as may be deduced from the reported writing of
the mayor of Naklo (Puc 1999, 23). The Municipality of Naklo was also in
charge of the management of the caves of Škocjan, yet in this case it effec-
tively outsourced the management activity to an external provider – the Al-
pine society. In that period Divača was also becoming a modern transport
hub, connected with Vienna, the port of Trieste (southern railway 1857) and
with the naval base in Pulj (Pula/Pola; Istrian railway from 1876), which
means that also other non-agricultural activities of the peasant population
were frequent. Compared to Lokev (Vilenica) or Matavun (Škocjan), the ac-
quaintance with the underground cave occurred relatively late16 and the ac-
cess still had to be organised, which might have also been the reason for the
supposed disinterest from the locals.
Conclusion
Cave tourism is considered the oldest form of tourist activity in the Karst
region of the Slovenian territory, referring to its long tradition since the
Early Modern period. Natural assets of this area are the caves, which are a
15 There were no specific regulations about guiding; the only two regulated fees were
the collection of an entrance and a retribution for the guide collection. The Mayor of
Naklo recommended the collection of 60 kr. for the tour, 10 kr. for candles and 10 kr.
for magnesium. Flames were not allowed (Puc 1999, 23; Žiberna 1981, 149).
Other motives can also be attributed to the “unsuccessful” management of the
Divača cave. One reason was probably the conflict between Žiberna and the new local
authorities. Since Žiberna discovered the cave, he probably considered himself as the
only or the most capable guide. He is referred to as “guardian and guide,” payed for
his services from the cave administrators. Since the community did not in any way
recompense his significant finding, they unofficially led him be the principal guide
through the cave. Problems occurred with the onset of a new headman of Divača
who was in conflict with Žiberna (Žiberna 1981, 148–9).
16 No traces of folk or other religious tradition is associated with the cave in Divača,
which would suggest a possible acquaintance with the underground in the past (see
also Hrobat Virloget 2015).
275
er inhabitants in the guiding activity is related to the lack of knowledge of
foreign languages. According to the collected data by Matjaž Puc, author
of several publications about karst caves, other earnings were more signif-
icant to the inhabitants of Divača or perhaps they did not have an interest
in getting involved in this type of activity (Puc 1999, 25). Why did the lo-
cals, beside Žiberna, not have any interest in getting involved in this pro-
cess? One of the reasons could be danger (i.e. accidents in the cave during
exploration) or a financially relatively insignificant income. The problem
might have also been the inadequate regulation of the guiding itself and the
fee collection15 in the cave as may be deduced from the reported writing of
the mayor of Naklo (Puc 1999, 23). The Municipality of Naklo was also in
charge of the management of the caves of Škocjan, yet in this case it effec-
tively outsourced the management activity to an external provider – the Al-
pine society. In that period Divača was also becoming a modern transport
hub, connected with Vienna, the port of Trieste (southern railway 1857) and
with the naval base in Pulj (Pula/Pola; Istrian railway from 1876), which
means that also other non-agricultural activities of the peasant population
were frequent. Compared to Lokev (Vilenica) or Matavun (Škocjan), the ac-
quaintance with the underground cave occurred relatively late16 and the ac-
cess still had to be organised, which might have also been the reason for the
supposed disinterest from the locals.
Conclusion
Cave tourism is considered the oldest form of tourist activity in the Karst
region of the Slovenian territory, referring to its long tradition since the
Early Modern period. Natural assets of this area are the caves, which are a
15 There were no specific regulations about guiding; the only two regulated fees were
the collection of an entrance and a retribution for the guide collection. The Mayor of
Naklo recommended the collection of 60 kr. for the tour, 10 kr. for candles and 10 kr.
for magnesium. Flames were not allowed (Puc 1999, 23; Žiberna 1981, 149).
Other motives can also be attributed to the “unsuccessful” management of the
Divača cave. One reason was probably the conflict between Žiberna and the new local
authorities. Since Žiberna discovered the cave, he probably considered himself as the
only or the most capable guide. He is referred to as “guardian and guide,” payed for
his services from the cave administrators. Since the community did not in any way
recompense his significant finding, they unofficially led him be the principal guide
through the cave. Problems occurred with the onset of a new headman of Divača
who was in conflict with Žiberna (Žiberna 1981, 148–9).
16 No traces of folk or other religious tradition is associated with the cave in Divača,
which would suggest a possible acquaintance with the underground in the past (see
also Hrobat Virloget 2015).
275
