Potential of Heritage As the Basis for the Development of Town Tourism – the Case of Škofja Loka

Broj 15, jun 2015 75

Boža Grafenauer, PhD, lecturer Vocational College for Catering and Tourism Bled UDC 338.483.12(497.4) 338.48-44(497.4-21 Škofja Loka)

POTENTIAL OF HERITAGE AS THE BASIS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOWN TOURISM – THE CASE OF ŠKOFJA LOKA

Abstract: Škofja Loka is one of the best pre- Why is Škofja Loka a town which is not able served medieval towns in Slovenia. In 1987 it to apply its own cultural heritage and create a was declared a cultural monument. very interesting and attractive tourist story? In this article I will discuss the reasons why Škofja Loka does have stories which represent the town does not live in the tourist sense in spite timelessness and the ability to connect differ- of a huge heritage potential. The local popula- ent time periods. I linked its potential different tion often sees living in the old part of the town brand name and I will show how the heritage as an obstacle, tourists do not stay in the town can be a potential and basis for the development for more than two hours, important events at- of town tourism, not linked only to a few one-off tract a large number of people only a few times events. per year which is not enough for the old part of the town to live on tourism, and consequently it Key words: Škofja Loka, heritage potencial, is slowly dying. town tourism, Colourful Loka

Introduction

Škofja Loka is the best preserved medi- create a very interesting and attractive tour- eval town in Slovenia. In 1987 it was de- ist story in spite of the fact that the town has clared a cultural monument. In this article stories which are timeless and can be linked I will discuss the reasons why the town does and transferred to any time period. I have not live in the tourist sense in spite of a huge linked the potential of the town into Pisana heritage potential. Local population often Loka (Colourful Loka) brand name and I sees living in the old part of the town as an will show how the heritage can be a poten- obstacle, tourists do not stay in the town for tial and basis for the development of town more than two hours, important events at- tourism. tract a large number of people only a few times per year which is not enough for the old part of the town to live on tourism, and Presentation of the town consequently it is slowly dying. In the beginning, I am going to present With its layout, spatial and skyline im- the entire tourist offer in the centre of Škofja age Škofja Loka is among the best preserved, Loka, followed by the discussion of the ques- interesting and important examples of a his- tion why Škofja Loka is a town which is not torical town planning and architectural de- able to apply its rich cultural heritage and velopment of Slovenian towns. 76 Turističko poslovanje

The history of Škofja Loka begins in 973 na” (colourful) Loka. By the merit of a his- when Emperor Otto II (1184-1220) enfiefed torian Pavle Blaznik, Škofja Loka is the best Loka land to the Bishop of Freising Abra- examined Slovenian town from the aspect of ham. Škofja Loka became an important ad- the medieval colonisation, which is of great by an earthquake.ministrative Then, and economic a landlord, centre Bishop as it is loPhi- llip,help had when the integrating town renovated and interpreting and the the facades on the main catedmarket at a squarestrategically painted important in different crossroads co lours.heritage Since into thethen modern Škofja times. Loka Blaznik has wasbeen known as "pisana"(Auguštin (colourful) 1988). Loka. By the merit of astudying historian the Pavlehistory Blazniof Škofjak, Loka,Škofja coloni Loka- is the best examinedIt wasSlovenian first mentioned town from as havingthe aspect mar- ofsation the ofmedieval its individual colonisa parts, tion,development which of is of great ket rights in 1248, and in 1274 it became the countryside and the town of Škofja Loka help whena town. integrating In the 14th and century interpreting Škofja Loka the is he(Blaznikritage into1973). the modern times. Blaznik was studying saidthe tohistory have been of surroundedŠkofja Loka, by town colonisation walls ofNowadays its individual the Municipality parts, development of Škofja of the countrysidewith and five the defence town towers of Škofja and five Loka town (Blaznik gates. Loka 1973). covers the area of 146 km2, comprising It was an autonomous town. In 1511 Škofja 62 settlements in 11 local communities. The NowadaysLoka the was Municipality destroyed by an ofearthquake. Škofja Then, Loka coversMunicipality the area has 22,507 of 146 inhabitants, km2, comprising with 62 settlementsa landlord, in 11 Bishoplocal communities.Phillip, had the town The ren Muni- Škofjacipality Loka has (12,264 22,507 inhabitants inhabitants, , accounting with Škofja Loka (12,264ovated inhabitants and the facades , accounting on the main for market more thforan more one than half one (54.5%) half (54.5%) of the of thepopulation popu- of the Municipality)square being painted the in main different settle mentcolours. and Since employment lation of the centre. Municipality) being the main then Škofja Loka has been known as “pisa- settlement and employment centre.

PicturePicture 1. 1. ŠkofjaŠkofja LokaLoka

Source:Source:http://www.slovenian-alps.com/si/kaj-videti/fotogalerija http://www.slovenian-alps.com/si/kaj-videti/fotogalerija

In my paperIn I myam paper going I amto goingfocus to mainly focus mainly on the theold 13th town century centre and of it Škofjawas the placeLoka, where which is the most interestingon the old from town thecentre aspect of Škofja of tourism. Loka, which the central activities – trading and social is the most interesting from the aspect of events – were taking place. Rich inhabit- The centretourism. of Škofja Loka consists of Zgornji (Upper)ants and orcraftsmen Mestni lived(Town) there, Square their houses and Spodnji The centre of Škofja Loka consists of were made of stone, several-floor high and (Lower) Square.Zgornji (Upper) The Town or Mestni Square (Town) was Squaredeveloped richly below decorated. the castle On the in groundthe 13th floor, century the and it was the placeand Spodnjiwhere the (Lower) central Square. activities The - Town trading entrance and social was in events the middle - were of thetaking facade, place. Rich inhabitantsSquare and wascraftsmen developed lived below there, the their castle hous in escraftsmen were made had theirof stone, workshops several-floor and shops high and richly decorated. On the ground floor, the entrance was in the middle of the facade, craftsmen had their workshops and shops there. Residential rooms were on the first floor, and apprentices and assistants lived on the second floor. Such structure has been preserved. Business premises and shops are on the ground floor whereas flats are on the first and the second floor.

2 Broj 15, jun 2015 77

there. Residential rooms were on the first preserved. Business premises and shops are floor, and apprentices and assistants lived on the ground floor whereas flats are on the on the second floor. Such structure has been first and the second floor.

PicturePicture 2. 2. TownTown SquareSquare

Source: http://www.skofja-loka.com/home/adventures/traditional-events.aspxhttp://www.skofja-loka.com/home/adventures/traditional-events.aspx Most houses on the Lower Square were, and still are, mostly wooden and lower. Poorer inhabitantsMost of thehouses town on the lived Lower there Square – poorer were, craftsmenshortage of and flats. apprentices. There had not The been town enough got the image and as itstill is are, today mostly after wooden the and earthquake lower. Poor - in theworkers’ 16th flats century, before the which War. isThis also was proved made by inscriptionser inhabitants on most of houses. the town lived there – poor- even worse by degradation and intensive in- er craftsmen and apprentices. The town got dustrialisation leading to substantial inflow It shouldthe be image pointed as it isou todayt that, after since the the earthquake Second Worldof people War, from the fact the countrysidethat somebody to towns. lived in the old townin thecentre 16th has century, meant which degradation. is also proved This by wasThis the encouragedconsequence more of intensivehistorical building processes of and it is notinscriptions typical only on ofmost Škofja houses. Loka but of severalflats, Slovenian more appropriate towns. regulation of housing It should be pointed out that, since the relationships and introduction of the insti- DuringSecond the Second World WorldWar, the War fact thata lot somebody of Slovenian tute settlements of housing rights were (Malešič badly 2014).damaged, a lot of them werelived burnin the down,old town important centre has meantindustrial deg- townsThe were period bombed. after theIn additionSecond Worldto more War than 46,000 radation. flats and This farm was buildings, the consequence a lot ofof railwayhis- (Slovenia lines, was roads, a part bridges of Yugoslavia and electrical then) was wiring were destroyed.torical processes The andwar itdamage is not typical resulted only ofin thecharacterised increase of by the extensive existing renovation. shortage The of flats. There hadŠkofja not Loka been but enoughof several workers'Slovenian flatstowns. befo prioritiesre the War. of the This Yugoslav was made socialist even regime worse by During the Second World War a lot of were solving the problems of housing and degradationSlovenian and settlements intensive wereindustr badlyialisation damaged, leading access to to substantial a flat for everybody.inflow of peopleThe housing from the countrysidea lot of to them towns. were burn This down, encouraged important more in- intensiveproblem was building being solved of flats, also more by offering appropriate regulationdustrial of housing towns were relationships bombed. In andaddition introducti to peopleon of the flats institute in old of townhousing flats rights which (Maleši were þ 2014). more than 46,000 flats and farm buildings, a emptied by expropriating the owners. New lot of railway lines, roads, bridges and elec- flats and blocks of flats were being built, The periodtrical wiring after thewere Seconddestroyed. World The war War dam (Slove- meaningnia was something a part new of and Yugoslavia modern. then) was characterisedage resulted by extensive in the increase renova of tion. the existing The priorities of the Yugoslav socialist regime were solving the problems of housing and access to a flat for everybody. The housing problem was being solved also by offering people flats in old town flats which were emptied by expropriating the owners. New flats and blocks of flats were being built, meaning something new and modern. Consequently, life in the old town centre was not interesting anymore, a lot of flats became community flats, and the local policy did not connect the "liveliness" of the town with tourism. However, it is tourism which offers almost the only possibility for the town to survive. Later on, I am going to present the tourist offer of the town, I will be interested in what experience a tourist is offered in Škofja Loka from the aspect of sightseeing, cuisine, souvenirs and events.

3 78 Turističko poslovanje

Consequently, life in the old town cen- a crown became a symbol of the Bishopric of tre was not interesting anymore, a lot of Freising and consequently also the symbol flats became community flats, and the local of Škofja Loka. policy did not connect the “liveliness” of the The most beautiful building on the Town town with tourism. However, it is tourism Square is the former Town Hal or the Old which offers almost the only possibility for Town Hall, built in the 16th century. When the town to survive. Later on, I am going to the building was being renovated in 1972, present the tourist offer of the town, I will be Baroque frescoes, paintings of pillars, flow- interested in what experience a tourist is of- ers and various figure details were discov- fered in Škofja Loka from the aspect of sight- ered on the facade. seeing, cuisine, souvenirs and events. Homan House is a town mansion, consisting of three buildings, Žigon’s House is a residential and tradesman’s house from the Tourist presentation of the town 16th century, and Martin’s House is a house, typical of Škofja Loka for centuries and it is The classical sightseeing starts with the the last remaining of its type. Capuchin Bridge, a more than 600 year old There is a granary on the Lower Square, stone bridge with a statue of St. John Nepo- one of the most magnificent buildings in the muc, the patron saint of bridges, in the mid- town, and, in addition to the castle, the most dle. important landlords’ building as it was the The Capuchin Monastery (dating from storage for all the taxes in-kind. It was man- 1710) is famous for the precious manuscript aged by a special Bishop’s officer – granary of the Škofja Loka Passion Play written by keeper. Today it houses a permanent exhibi- Capuchin Romuald Marušič in 1721, the tion by painter Franc Mihelič, and there is a oldest preserved drama text in Slovene lan- bar and wine shop in the basement. guage, which was staged on the Loka streets Tourists visit also the Castle of Škofja again in 1999 after more than 200 years. This Loka, built above the town by the Bishops Passion procession is now held every five of Freising soon after they received the Loka years, next one will be held in 2015. lordship. Today the Castle houses the col- The sightseeing continues on the Town lections of the Loka Museum with histori- Square with its Baroque statue of St. Mary cal, cultural, art history, ethnological and with three statues, erected by the town in natural history exhibits from the Škofja Loka 1751 in gratitude for the protection from territory. The visit to the Castle is the last plague and fire. There is a stone well among part of the classical sightseeing of the town, the trees, built in the shape of a square prism which lasts for about an hour. After sightsee- with two shells and an ornamental jug and ing, visitors usually rest in one of the bars or the town coat-of-arms. The Loka coat-of- restaurants in the town. arms, which is very interesting because of In the town centre there are seven bars the head of a black man, is always pointed and restaurants, but only one of them offers out during the sightseeing. The legend has local dishes. it that one of Freising landlords, Abraham, In order to move forwards, Škofja Loka was attacked by a bear when he was on the has started to work on improving the culi- way to Poljane Valley. His servant, a black nary and souvenir offer in accordance with man, was not afraid of the bear and killed national development strategies. I would it with an arrow. The Bishop promised him like to present some of their efforts and their to make him so famous that a lot of genera- effects. tions will know for him. The black man with Broj 15, jun 2015 79

There have been a lot of attempts and ef- In Škofja Loka there is a huge gap also in forts to offer local cuisine, and substantial the offer of souvenirs. In spite of rich her- progress was made by Slovenian Tourist Or- itage, the offer of souvenirs is scattered and ganisation in 2006 by drawing up the Strat- confused. Shops sell a lot of different sou- egy of the Development of the Gastronomy venirs but they are not connected with the of Slovenia, which includes also Škofja Loka. heritage of Škofja Loka, or the connection is The Strategy model is shown by its pyramid. inconsistent. In order to help solve this issue, It consists of three segments. in 2006 the Strategy of Souvenirs in Slove- The bottom, widest part represents the nian Tourism was drawn up at the national treasures of culinary and gastronomic her- and municipal level, which was to ensure or- itage and all kinds of up-to-date efforts, der and transparency in this field and define including all foreign influences. The bot- the main products for tourist places, regions tom segment is the base, an inexhaustible and the state. source of motives, ideas, opportunities. The The bottom of the souvenir pyramid second or middle segment represents the represents the entire offer of existing souve- most known dishes in Slovenia, divided into nirs as well as various ideas and suggestions, 24 regions. It is important that the selected which have been awarded at different com- dish(es) is extremely representative and petitions. This bottom part of the pyramid typical of the region. Škofja Loka is classified could be called the “souvenir bank” of Slove- into Gorenjska region and the most known nia. The middle part of the pyramid includes dish is Loška smojka. the selected representative souvenirs from The third segment or the top of the pyra- Slovenian regions while the top of the pyramid represents the selected dishes and wines mid includes the representative Slovenian which represent Slovenian gastronomy in souvenirs. the most representative way. They represent Škofja Loka organises a lot of different the knowledge about the specific and recog- events linked to the historical periods of the nisable gastronomy of Slovenia, a country at town. Most events are based on the medieval the meeting point of the Alps, the Mediter- heritage. ranean and Pannonian Plain (Bogataj 2006, The first to mention should be the Škofja 99). In 2012 Loka completed Leader Project Loka Passion Play (Processio Locopolitana), “Taste of the Loka Countryside”, which com- the oldest preserved drama text in Slovenian plements and continues the national project language. It was written in 1721 by Capu- aiming at a more detailed presentation of chin monk Romuald – Lovrenc Marušič cuisine in the area of Škofja Loka. The aim from Štandrež pri Gorici. The title of the of the Project was to revive some seasonal original text was Instruction for the Škofja dishes that people used to eat and offer them Loka Procession on Good Friday. It was to guests from Slovenia and abroad. The staged for the last time in 2009. dishes are made according to the old reci- Škofja Loka Passion Play is an illustra- pes, adapted to the taste of modern times tive example of the religious activity and and they are based mainly on quality ingre- eagerness at the turn of the 17th and the 18th dients produced locally and in Slovenia and century, cared for and maintained among adapted to the seasons. All the dishes should people mainly by the Capuchin monks. In be available in the restaurants in Škofja Loka the scientific sense, the text is a rich source and in its surrounding which participated in for studying the old written language and a the Project. Unfortunately, the Project has proof how the dialects were used in the writ- not met the expectations yet. ten language. 80 Turističko poslovanje

The Škofja Loka Passion Play is an im- In spite of the fact that in architectural portant piece of cultural heritage, showing sense Škofja Loka is keeping its image, there the old spiritual life and the situation of the are several medieval events, interesting then language. Like all Baroque processions, projects and huge potential in the heritage, the Škofja Loka Passion Play is a moving the town is not able to flourish in tourism. penitence sermon in live images and spoken The actors and designers of the Loka tour- word with the aim to shake the sinners and ism are aware of the worrying situation and persuade them to convert. try to turn the path to a more positive way The Passion Play was staged for the first by different strategies and development time on Good Friday, 11 April 1721 on the projects. streets of Loka, beginning and ending at the Capuchin Church. There are also records of staging in 1727, 1728, 1745 and definitely Brand name Pisana Loka also in 1751. Each scene was presented by (Colourful Loka) people from one or more villages from the surrounding of Škofja Loka. It can be concluded from the above that The Passion Play was very famous – Ja- the colourful history of Škofja Loka does not nez Vajkard Valvasor wrote about it and said blindly take over the influences of the Alpine, that people from near and far were coming Mediterranean and Pannonian world , but to see it and all foreigners said that they had appropriately adjusting and “tailor-making” not seen such a beautiful, devout and long for its own cultural forms and life styles. play. In the whole historical development con- The Škofja Loka Passion is a unique cul- stant changing has to be taken into account. tural – tourist event not only in the Škofja Taking those changes into account is Loka region but also wider in Slovenia. More essential for understanding the heritage of than 77,000 people saw it in 1999 and 2000, Loka. which ranks it first among such performanc- Tourist guides present Škofja Loka with es. Next Passion Play will be staged in 2015. the slogan So beautiful, so mystical. “Historial Škofja Loka” is another impor- “If there is anything really beautiful in the tant event, originating from the medieval Middle Ages, it is Škofja Loka. It is the most heritage of trading and craft, and takes place beautiful and originally preserved medieval in June. It is a series of historical-ethnologi- town with the black man in the coat-of-arms cal events, preserving a part of the Škofja and famous guild tradition. It is a unique Loka history (handicraft, food, music, etc.) town in the world which comes to mystic Historial originates from Venus Tour, an life of those days in the unique passion play international cultural tourist project, which – a theatre story about Christ’s suffering and has been taking place in Slovenia since death with hundreds of performers”, says a 1997. Škofja Loka is included in the project tourist guide for Škofja Loka. as one of the seven fortifications visited by Tourists find Škofja Loka beautiful, its knight Ulrich in Slovenia. The main event people kind but the town is rather lifeless, is the presentation of the travels by Ulrich they miss some live events, like workshops of Liechtenstein who was travelling, dressed where they could learn some of the old crafts as a woman, to 52 towns of the present-day and watch them being made. How is the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy and Slovenia, Loka heritage included in the tourist offer and he stopped also in Škofja Loka. His trav- on everyday level? el is described in his autobiographic poem In 2012, 3465 tourists spent a night in Service of Ladies. Škofja Loka, a town which is 22 kilometres Broj 15, jun 2015 81 from the capital of Slovenia Ljubljana, and has be a potential and basis for the development 196 tourist beds. Former Krona Hotel stands of town tourism. This progress is of course uninhabited right in the centre of the town, a long-term process where the inactive lo- the Transturist Hotel is also closed. Tourists cal tourist policy should become active and, can stay in private rooms in the town. above all, people should become aware of As a rule, they stay in the town for a cou- the fact that tourism is an opportunity for ple of hours as the current tourist offer is everybody. In order to better understand the not flexible enough for daily guests or guests town, stories are needed which give sense to who do not book in advance. Tourists walk the life of the town and its people and help on the Town square, past non-specific shops us better understand it. and offer which is not different from any Škofja Loka needs the main story, con- other towns. Quite a few business premises sisting of several small everyday stories, on the Town Square are empty. such stories which will attract and entertain Tourist offer is scattered and not linked. people and will be useful. The daily offer in Škofja Loka restaurants is Due to its skyline, the identity of Škofja not based on the rich Loka culinary heritage; Loka as a medieval town is logical and un- there are a lot of souvenirs offered but they changeable, but, at the moment, it offers are taken out of the context as they highlight only aesthetic joy and no experiences which the rich Loka heritage that the everyday are still to be formed through a story. The tourist does not see, feel or taste. mythology of a place is the fundamental Tourists read about important Impres- marketing product of modern tourism. The sionist painting heritage of Škofja Loka, but identity of the most beautiful Slovenian me- when walking through the town they do not dieval town should be complemented by a feel that Škofja Loka has a painting tradition. new and more colourful interpretation of The situation is similar in the field of events. authenticity. The Škofja Loka Passion Play (Processio Lo- When looking for the leading recognis- copolitana), the oldest preserved drama text able story of Škofja Loka, I took into account in Slovenian language is kept in Škofja Loka different criteria and historical events and but this fact is hidden from tourists. The processes and divided Škofja Loka heritage situation changes only every few years when potential to a pyramid consisting of three the Play is performed and then all the activi- levels. The bottom part of the pyramid in- ties and offer in this connection stop until cludes all the existing offer in Škofja Loka the next performance. (culinary, souvenirs, heritage, history, events The town is not recognised as a brand heritage from all periods of time,…). The name, connecting rich heritage, as a town, middle part of the pyramid includes heritage interesting for the visitors, local population, which is partly already recognised at the na- entrepreneurs, a town with its life and high tional level and general public already links culture of living. Undoubtedly, time and a it with Škofja Loka. The top of the pyramid clear vision are required in order to design includes the brand name which connects an identifiable brand name. In the best case all the essential heritage elements of Škofja we can think of the direction of development Loka and places the existing offer into a while its dynamics and intensity can only be comprehensive story. guessed. In my opinion, it is only history The main topic originates in the medieval which can help us. history of the town and I called it Colourful I linked the potential of the town into Loka. Colourful Loka is a name that people Pisana Loka (Colourful Loka) brand name already know as it is the name of a Festival of and I am going to show how the heritage can different events. 82 Turističko poslovanje

The name Colourful Loka originates from fence. The inscription on the ceiling in the the 16th century when after a strong earth- ground floor living room says 1755, which quake in 1511 the Bishop of Freising Phil- was the year of thorough renovation in the lip had the town renovated and the facades Baroque period. Rare late-Gothic carved painted in different colours. The facades of stone details show that the house was built the buildings in the town centre were reno- in the 16th century. vated again 40 years ago when the town cele- Different objects and equipment had brated its millennium, and they remain to be been collected in the house corners for cen- the most known feature of the town. In 1878 turies, bearing witness to the life of several Janez Bleiweis, editor of the first Slovenian generations, their hobbies, skills and adap- newspaper Novice in the 19th century, wrote tations. In spite of their museum value the wittily: “Colourful Loka, black Kranj, white objects can still be used. Nace’s House is the Ljubljana, filthy Kamnik!” (Blaznik 1973, 9). best preserved farm building in the Škofja According to the Dictionary of Slovene Loka region and also in the surroundings of Language colourful means of very different Ljubljana. colours and that is what Škofja Loka is like. The painting heritage of Škofja Loka Colourful is the slogan on which all tourist should be strongly highlighted during the activities in Loka should originate from. sightseeing of the old part of the town. In my opinion, sightseeing tours should Painting heritage with Impressionist paint- be more colourful, and the colourful stories ers, known in Slovenia and beyond, is a of the houses with colourful facades should potential which has not been utilised. Slov- be included into sightseeing. The develop- enian Impressionism is an artistic creation, ment of individual houses and their inhab- more or less limited to the first decade of itants have been studied, the stories should the 20th century, bringing modernist spirit be offered to tourists and the residents. The into Slovenian art and thus the foundation residents themselves could tell about the for the development of painting in the 20th history of their houses and people who lived century. Its founders were painters Rihard there. A lot of people have lived on the Town Jakopič, Matija Jama, Ivan Grohar and Matej Square for all their lives and they are the best Sternen. witnesses of the developments. Painters were painting light and life and When different types of buildings in so they had to paint outside in daylight. Their Škofja Loka are presented, it would be -es main motif was Škofja Loka and they paint- sential to include also Nace’s House which ed in the town and its surrounding. Each of is not included in tourism due to the lack them chose his own area as they liked dif- of cooperation among the actors in tourism ferent distinctive features in nature. One of in Škofja Loka and it markets itself. It takes the best known paintings by Ivan Grohar is about 5 minutes to walk from the centre to Loka in snow. He painted it from the win- Nace’s house. It is the only house in Škofja dow of a house on the Town Square, called Loka which has not changed much since Homan’s House. When a tourist visits Škofja mid-18th century, neither the exterior nor Loka nowadays, there is not a single sign of the residential part. It has a typical Alpine the Impressionists seen. One of possible in- layout. On the ground floor there is a stone terpretations could be Grohar’s path, leading hall, a black kitchen, a wooden ground floor the visitor to the points of the Town Square living room, a chamber and a granary. The where Grohar painted some of his most im- layout of the first floor is almost identical, portant paintings. Artists’ colonies could be the main and front facade is surrounded organised on the Town Square and passers- with a balcony with a decorative wooden by could watch artists painting. Broj 15, jun 2015 83

Another potential which has not been Institute for Women’s Cottage Industry in utilised is the heritage of cottage industry Vienna founded four bobbin lace schools in and local masters. When I think about the the territory of Loka. After the foundation rich heritage of Škofja Loka, my first thought of schools, bobbin lace making became even is the strong medieval organisation of trade more popular. and craftsmen who were organised into Kloštergajst is a herbal liqueur which guild associations. started to be made in the 18th century in Brand name Colourful Loka should cap- Škofja Loka by the Ursulines sisters. Nowa- ture the colourful and lively town centre days the recipe is kept only by one Škofja by involving shops and workshops offering Loka family. craft products which used to be well de- One of the popular cottage industries in veloped in the area of Škofja Loka and also the Loka area was baking honey bread, the important for the survival of local people. so-called little bread. It is made from rye or Modern interpretations should be included white flour, honey, pepper, cinnamon, cloves as well. People were making bobbin lace, and potash. It is mould by pressing it into sieves (they were weaving nets for sieves with wooden stencils especially carved for from horsehair), hats, combs, linen, they this. Loka’s nuns of the order of St. Clare were dying and printing linen, baking honey were already engaged in baking honey bread bread, called mali kruhek (little bread) and mould in wooden stencils at the beginning artificial flowers. In the Loka Museum, the of the 19th century, and after 1782 the Ur- visitor can see their historical development, sulines. People from Loka called them ‘nun- individual stages of work – from the raw ma- ski lect’ (‘nun’s gingerbread’). The moulds for terial to the final product, sale of final prod- honey bread were made by self-taught peo- ucts and social position of individual crafts- ple. Little bread used to be baked mainly for men. If such products were included in the religious holidays, market days, at ‘žegnanje’ sale on the Town Square, the town would be (‘blessings’) and name-days, nowadays tour- livelier, and in cases where it is possible, the ists and emigrants like to buy it as a souve- typical medieval organisation of houses on nir. the Town Square could be shown (shops or In order to promote the heritage of cot- workshops on the ground floor and residen- tage industry and masters, an Arts and tial part on the first floor). The Museum- of Crafts Centre has been opened on the Town fer would thus be integrated into a meaning- Square. They organise different workshops, ful whole and common story and museum exhibitions and courses, linked to the Loka content would be presented in the shops and heritage. workshops in the town. The Škofja Loka Passion Play is not -em Souvenir shops do sell such products, phasised enough – it is performed every but they are not highlighted as important five years, next one will be in 2015. The Loka tradition. As a typical souvenir of Škofja Škofja Loka Passion Play is a unique cul- Loka area the Strategy recommends Loka tural – tourist event not only in the Škofja or Dražgoše honey bread, herbal liqueur Loka region but also wider in Slovenia. More Kloštergajs, lace, and the Škofja Loka Pas- than 77,000 people saw it in 1999 and 2000 sion Play souvenirs, but there is no story and 2009, which ranks it first among such about the importance of those products. performances. With its original concept of Bobbin lace making was introduced in staging, it is a unique event and the biggest the area in the second half of the 19th cen- theatre performance in the open in Slovenia. tury. Due to high demand for quality lace in The Passion Play takes place at Easter on the the beginning of the 20th century Central streets of the old town centre. The Passion 84 Turističko poslovanje office opens during that time and the organ- In the old town centre, precisely in the isers of the event work there. Unfortunately, renovated Crystal Hall, a multimedia pres- the office closes after the event and inthe entation of Colourful Loka could be estab- five-year period between the performances lished, showing the Škofja Loka Passion Play, tourists are not informed about it at all. the Impressionist heritage and Loka cottage The potential still remains. A lot of industry. A website Colourful Loka would premises on the ground floors are empty; include all of the above mentioned. they should house shops with typical Loka The mission of the three groups of con- products, art studios, shops with locally pro- tent should be professional preservation and duced food and typical products. The first upgrading of this element of cultural herit- and second floors are residential while the age and promotion of the entire Loka area, attics could be used for tourist accommoda- an area with extremely rich and diverse cul- tion. ture from different periods of time. In my opinion, Plac (the Square) is suit- That is, if we would like tourists to ex- able for boutique offer, emphasising the spe- perience Škofja Loka as experience and not cifics of Loka which can not be found any- only as information. A clearly marked and where else. The boutique offer can ensure a attractive Colourful Loka path should be higher level than the mass offer. The Town made so that tourists can walk through the Square needs new and innovative products stories of Škofja Loka in a sensible drama- which are based on the heritage and attract turgical order, from the Passion station to people from Loka and other visitors. Future station, Impressionists and medieval Loka entrepreneurs will have to think about the and relive them. offer for tourists and one-day visitors, res- Revival of old town centres is a model, taurant offer, a quality bookshop, etc. verified for several times in history and of- In the first stage, it would be sensible to fering numerous solutions for new life. New consistently take into account and include content planned from the heritage preserves the existing research and strategies in the its identity and shows forms that could pro- field of cuisine and souvenirs. The idea of vide completely different foundations for life offering local Loka dishes in all restaurants and thus also relationships among people in in the area, has not been realised yet. Dur- the future. In the end, it is people who create ing the events, such as the Škofja Loka Pas- the stories of towns. When looking for the sion Play or Historial, the restaurant owners possibilities of reviving old parts of towns do adapt their offer, but at other times such it is important to consider the people who dishes are not on the menu. live there. They have to be willing to accept The intersection of all stories, included the history and live with it. The town will in brand name Colourful Loka, which can live only if the residents see the advantages be perceived at several levels and mainly and new opportunities of their residential in the name itself, implies a town with rich environment, or during the revitalisation of and colourful history, offer, tradition, events, town centres the way of life of the residents etc. All those stories, content and topics has to be “renovated” as well, as they are are linked to the building heritage of the people who live in the town and co-create Town Square, although in different periods everyday stories (Bogataj 1992, 24) of time. Their common feature is that they have adapted the medieval skyline for their own needs and in their own way – for guild workshops and shops, for the scenes of the Passion Play and for painting motifs. Broj 15, jun 2015 85

Sources and references

Avguštin, C. (1988). Škofja Loka. Škofja Loka: Blaznik, P.(1973). Škofja Loka in loško gospo- Zbirka vodnikov kulturni in naravni spo- stvo (973-1803). Škofja Loka: Muzejsko meniki Slovenije. društvo. Bogataj, J. (1992). Sto srečanj z dediščino na Damjan J. (1994). Blagovne znamke v Sloveni- Slovenskem. Ljubljana: Prešernova druž- ji ali Zakaj je morala umreti Cockta S. V: ba. MM-Marketing Magazin, XIV (1994), 9, Bogataj, J. (2006). Strategija razvoja gastrono- str. 12-13, Ljubljana. mije Slovenije. Center za interdisciplinarne Malešič, M. (14. February 2014) . Slovenska stano- in multidisciplinarne študije in raziskave, vanjska gradnja v času socializma. Inštitut za Znanstveni inštitut za regionalni razvoj pri delavske študije, https://www.youtube.com/ Univerzi v Mariboru, Slovenska turistična watch?v=FRdfRxtAhQQ. organizacija.