7. POGLAVJE: Škafarjevo korito
Video section: 10:42 - CHAPTER 7: Škafar Trough
Only the Višnar and the renovated Škafar Troughs still stand in Murova today. There used to be five of them including Smuk Trough (at the beginning of Murova), a trough on the slope, also known as Mlinar Trough (in the middle of the settlement), and Svedrar Trough, which was located lower down, next to Kos Manor House but is still considered an Old Jesenice Settlement trough.
Marjan Židanek: Škafar Trough (source: photographic library of the Upper Sava Valley Museum)
The mainly wooden Škafar House from around the time of the First World War (source: photographic library of the Upper Sava Valley Museum)
In its direct vicinity, there is a house called “Pr’ Škafar” where pails, “putrhe” (wooden containers for storing fish) and various kinds of clogs—for shepherds, miners and others—were once made.
Clogmakers from Murova at Plavški rovt in 1935 (source: photographic library of the Upper Sava Valley Museum)
In 1934, the clogmakers from Murova established a “Cokelburg” society. Upon joining, its members were given miniature clogs that were made at the Višnar House. They were red with a blue lining and were decorated with small white flowers. Members of the society gathered every day. If a member did not have their clogs with them, they were fined (20 para and more). The most money was collected in a pretty, old jewellery box on Sundays when the usual clothes were replaced by better, “mass” clothes and thus the clogs were left behind. The money that was collected was then used for organised trips or shindigs.
A larger gathering that included a hike was held at Zakamnik Farm in Plavški Rovt, and was organised by the president Anton Žerjav, secretary Franc Rupnik and treasurer Feliks Legan. Janez Pogačar “Škafar” carried the club sign at the front: large dairy-farmers’ clogs on a pole with the inscription “Murova Clogmakers Society, established 1934”.
Homesteads next to the Škafar Trough (source: photographic library of the Upper Sava Valley Museum)
Over the years, Murova residents have found their livelihood in various crafts and different activities; through them, they ensured their own survival and helped develop the settlement. Some even spread the name of Murova around the world with their excellent work. In addition to wood carving and clog-making, a famous innovator and electro technical pioneer Jože Markeš, long-lived carpentry at Mokern, and roofing at Cimperman should also be mentioned. Innkeepers provided hospitality and good food in various locations, and there were also builders and blacksmiths. Several generations from the “ Mlinar” house worked in the mill by the Jesenica stream where they ground white stone from Žerjavec for making plaster; after its renovation, the mill was used for milling grain. Although not all are listed here, they all deserve credit for ensuring growth and creating a neighbourly bond in the community that knows how to work together, have fun and... survive.
Today, only a few houses remain in Murova that still look the same way as they did in the past. Despite that, many of them have kept their old house names—official and unofficial. These names reveal the occupation or status of the owner, others the building’s position or function... But they all play their part in keeping the memories of Old Jesenice Settlement alive.
Sources:
- »Kako so na Murovi včasih živeli?« (Jesenice Adult Education Centre, 2010),
- »Ta stare Jesenice ali Murova in Plavž« (Zdenka Torkar Tahir, Upper Sava Valley Museum Jesenice, 2010),
- Jesenice Municipal Library – estate of Ciril Praček
- Oral testimonies by locals: family Čufer., Janez Pšenica, Avgust Mencinger, Jože Mencinger, Janez Višnar Jr., Anton Ravnikar, Dušan Hafner, Marija Markeš, Zvonka Petrovič
Imprint:
Project: The Memories of Old Jesenice Settlement
Financed by: Municipality of Jesenice
Realisation: Upper Gorenjska Development Agency, Gornjesavski muzej Jesenice
Proofreading and translation: TellUs, Maja Davis s.p.
Photo editing: Jamaja, Maja Rostohar s.p.
Jesenice, 2020
