Kamnik

[edit] The name Kamnik was first mentioned in the 11th century. The first time it was mentioned as a town was in 1229, when it was an important trading post on the road between Ljubljana and Celje. This makes the town one of the oldest in Slovenia. In the Middle Ages, Kamnik had its own mint and some aristocratic families among its residents. The town was among the most influential centers of power for the Bavarian counts of Andechs in the region of Carniola at the time. The only remnant of the Bavarian nobility are the two ruined castles which are both strategically built on high ground near the town center. The Franciscan monastery built in the town itself is a testament to its importance. The building is well preserved and has undergone extensive renovation in recent years. Historical suburbs of the town include Šut(i)na (German: Schutt), Na Produ (Slovene: Na produ), Novi Trg (Novi trg, German: Neumarkt), Pred Mostom (Pred mostom, German: Vor der Brücke), Graben, and Podgoro. In 1934 the following formerly independent settlements were annexed by Kamnik: Fužine (German: Fuschine), Žale (in older sources also Žalje, German: Sallenberg), Zaprice (German: Steinbüchel), Kratno, Pugled, Zgornje Perovo (German: Oberperau), Spodnje Perovo (German: Unterperau), Bakovnik, and the lower part of Mekinje. Most of the old town center is built in an Austro-Hungarian style. Most of the facades have been renovated in recent years but the process is still ongoing. Mass grave[edit] The Cuzak Meadow Mass GraveCross with plaque Kamnik is the site of a mass grave from the period immediately after the Second World War. The Cuzak Meadow Mass Grave (Slovene: Grobišče Cuzakov travnik) is located in the southeast part of the town, in a grassy area encircled by a road on the premises of the Svit factory. The grave contains the remains of several hundred soldiers and civilians, mostly Croats but also some Serbs, that were murdered on 11 May 1945.

[edit] Notable people that were born or lived in Kamnik include: Fran Albreht (1889–1963), author France Balantič (1921–1943), poet Jessie Case Vesel (1855–1937), English painter Jurij Japelj (1744–1807), philologist Marija Klobčar, ethnology scholar Rudolf Maister (1874–1934), military leader Neli Niklsbacher Bregar (1912–1982), embroiderer, ethnologist, and author Elizabeth S. Selden (1887–1970), dancer and writer Jakob Savinšek (1922–1961), sculptor and illustrator Bojan Kraut (1908–1991), engineer Anton Cerer (1916–2006), swimmer Marjan Šarec (born 1977), politician and actor

[edit] See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Slovenia Twin towns and sister cities[edit] Kamnik is twinned with: Andechs, Germany Budva, Montenegro Trofaiach, Austria

[edit] Southern part of Kamnik with suburbs Kamnik's northern suburbs with the Kamnik–Savinja Alps in the background House where Rudolf Maister was born A copper engraving of Kamnik in 1689 Little Castle Zaprice Castle Franciscan monastery