Cerkno Museum

Introduction

History

The Cerkno region is a small link in the chain of Slovenia's pre-alpine foothills. Though removed from large centres and events, it nevertheless takes pride in a history which has lasted several thousand years. The Cerkno Region Through the Centuries offers (with the exception of archaeological periods) an integral presentation of the historical development of the Cerkno region. Although the area had already been settled in prehistoric times, the Cerkno region began to record 'real' history in the second half of the 11th century, when certain kings were first mentioned in written sources. The exhibition presents the region's development under various state formations that ruled the area up to the end of the 20th century. Photographs, documents and specimens present selected segments of the administrative, economic and cultural life of the region.

In 2006, on the 50th anniversary of the revival of the Cerkljanska Laufarija, a new permanent exhibition entitled Pust is to Blame! - A Story about the Cerkno Laufarija was opened at Cerkno Museum. The Cerkno laufars are among the most famous carnival figures in Slovenia, whose wooden masks called larfa are cut from the wood of the linden tree. Their strong resemblance to human faces is not typical of any other region in Slovenia. On the basis of collected documentary materials and photographs, the museum has prepared a reconstruction of costumes and requisites for all 25 figures that today form part of the laufarija family. The history of this custom and the ceremony itself are presented in exhibited photographs and other written records.

Cerkno Museum

Introduction

History

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