SLOVENŠČINA ITALIANO
Maria Theresa road
The Maria Theresa Road that branches off the main road between Dutovlje and Repentabor and ends in Krajna vas is 4 km long. The distance from here to Kreplje is 1.5 km, and to Krajna vas 2.5 km.
|
The today’s Maria Theresa Road was first named “the fair road”. It was a high-traffic trade route that connected Karst villages and shortened the route to Trieste. It was used to bring livestock to village fairs and oak logs to the Trieste port.
Due to a negligent attitude towards both the main and the side roads, numerous prohibitions and penalties were introduced, some of them by Maria Theresa (1717–1780). For example, the use of chains was only permitted in the case of extremely severe black ice. Otherwise, such braking was punished with a fine of about 20 guldens and confiscation of the chain. Fences and walls needed to be at least three feet (94.8 cm) or one fathom (189.4 to 189.6 cm) away from the road. It was also forbidden to throw away anything to the road or the ditches because people liked to throw away various rubbish, rocks and waste material created in the cleaning of fields and meadows. Some people even grazed livestock in the road ditches. |
If a roadkeeper caught livestock in a road ditch, he was allowed to take it away and demand compensation for feed from the owner as well as a fine in the amount one thaler for each animal.
The Maria Theresa decree also stipulated that property owners were required to allow the construction of road ditches and drains on their property, if required.
Each newly built house needed to be at least two fathoms (3.79 to 3.8 m) away from the road. If the owners did not adhere to this rule, the army had the right to tear down the house.
A fine amounting to 6 thalers was given for littering the road with rubbish, feed, sawdust, wood waste, mud or snow, also applying for washing on the road.
Why is this road called the “Maria Theresa road” by the locals? According to stories, Maria Theresa supposedly used this road when traveling to Trieste.
The road was well-kept at all times because it was maintained by roadkeepers who received payment for their work.
The roadkeepers were mainly locals from nearby villages who wore uniforms, the main component of which was chest armour with a prescribed coat-of-arms.
The Maria Theresa decree also stipulated that property owners were required to allow the construction of road ditches and drains on their property, if required.
Each newly built house needed to be at least two fathoms (3.79 to 3.8 m) away from the road. If the owners did not adhere to this rule, the army had the right to tear down the house.
A fine amounting to 6 thalers was given for littering the road with rubbish, feed, sawdust, wood waste, mud or snow, also applying for washing on the road.
Why is this road called the “Maria Theresa road” by the locals? According to stories, Maria Theresa supposedly used this road when traveling to Trieste.
The road was well-kept at all times because it was maintained by roadkeepers who received payment for their work.
The roadkeepers were mainly locals from nearby villages who wore uniforms, the main component of which was chest armour with a prescribed coat-of-arms.
Sources:
- Oral testimony of Ignacij Tavčar from Kreplje (1892–1976), with Neda Tavčar, married Lah, writing the memoirs.
- Joseph Schemerl, Ausführliche Anweisung zur Entwerfung, Erbauung und Erhaltung dauerhafter und bequemer Strassen. Wien 1807, book three, p. 266.
- 10th Lecture – 17 June 2010 Eva Holz, Ljubljana – Emperor Maria Theresa, Emperor Joseph II and roads. Legislation on roads, behaviour on roads and road bandits
- http://sd18.zrc-sazu.si/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=w155abRsnTo%3D&tabid=59
Photographs: Miloš Stankovič
- Oral testimony of Ignacij Tavčar from Kreplje (1892–1976), with Neda Tavčar, married Lah, writing the memoirs.
- Joseph Schemerl, Ausführliche Anweisung zur Entwerfung, Erbauung und Erhaltung dauerhafter und bequemer Strassen. Wien 1807, book three, p. 266.
- 10th Lecture – 17 June 2010 Eva Holz, Ljubljana – Emperor Maria Theresa, Emperor Joseph II and roads. Legislation on roads, behaviour on roads and road bandits
- http://sd18.zrc-sazu.si/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=w155abRsnTo%3D&tabid=59
Photographs: Miloš Stankovič