Since prehistoric times, many paths have run across Gorenjska’s mountain passes and along its river valleys, connecting the Mediterranean with Central Europe and the Baltic with the Balkans. Life alongside such routes and involvement in long-distance trade led to the people of Gorenjska becoming well-informed and prudent. Passing trade offered a living to many in Gorenjska. Beside busy roads appeared inns with large stables; where the gradient was steep, farmers offered extra draught horses; in the villages there were blacksmiths, saddlers, wheelwrights and road menders. The traffic also provided a living for collectors of bridge and road tolls. Thanks to their skills, craft products or produce, many locals became directly involved in long-distance trade. Three hundred years ago goods carriers from Kropa or Bohinj 56 needed up to three weeks to make their way to the Friuli region
(now in Italy). On the way there they would carry nails, wood and charcoal, and on the way back wine. They could transport up to 150 kilos of nails on a single horse. Carters from the villages below Mount Stol and from Jezersko would take a week to transport a ton and a half of timber to Trieste on their heavy wagons. The path alongside the River Sava from Kranj up to Rateèe took three days on foot. Such trade contacts brought news, skills and experience, while the money earned made a significant contribution to a better life.
A belt bag that belonged to Lorenz Pezhar, a wealthy farmer and innkeeper, occasionally also livestock dealer, second half of the 19th century. (Gorenjska Museum collections, photo T. Lauko)
With the coming of the railway in 1870, the settlements along the tracks developed rapidly, while places further away began to stagnate.
Manual carrying of goods Wooden carriers were used to carry firewood, tools and goods for sale. With a large carrier placed on a padded ring on the head, up to a hundred kilos of goods could be carried. This was the only method that could be used to carry goods up the steep paths to Alpine dairy farms. In the winter sledges were used to bring down iron ore, charcoal, wood and hay from mountain meadows. In deep snow, snowshoes would be worn and in icy conditions crampons. Skis were not used in Upper Carniola until soldiers brought them during the First World War.
With a large carrier placed on the head up to one hundred kilos of goods could be carried. (Gorenjska Museum collections)