Visoko Mansion
History
The Škofja Loka area is dotted with numerous castles and mansions. The earliest date back to the 13th century, others were completely transformed after the great earthquake of 1511, and the youngest among them were built as recently as the 17th century. The castles and mansions were built in carefully chosen locations.
Visoko Mansion is an historical countryside mansion from the 17th century and is a prime example of the local architecture of the region. Its former owners, the Kalan family, were the source of inspiration in writing the historical novel The Visoko Chronicle, published in 1921 by one of the most-renowned Slovenian novelists Ivan Tavčar (1851–1923). In 1893, the writer and his wife, Franja Tavčar (1868–1938), a politician and one of the first Slovenian feminists, purchased the property and used it for their annual residence. Visoko Mansion is also their final resting place.
Programme
Visoko Mansion constitutes the peak in the development of rural architecture, reflecting the economic power and spiritual horizons of the richest class of farmers in Slovenia from the second half of the 17th century on. Today, the estate is formed by a former residential building, now used for permanent exhibitions, cultural events and also as a wedding hall.
The permanent exhibitions under the care of the Škofja Loka Museum bear the common name The Visoko Mansion Tells Its Stories (Visoška domačija pripoveduje). There are four in total, for example, the history and building development exhibition, the exhibition about Ivan and Franja Tavčar, their book collection, etc. At the location, there is also an economic building with a typical Slovenian double hayrack and a chapel with a family tomb.
In the vicinity, a bronze statue of the writer Ivan Tavčar is set up, looking towards his birthplace of Poljane. The pristine nature is also perfect for a bicycle trip or a guided incentive trip. The café and confectionery inside the mansion are furnished to resemble the 17th century.
See also