Nazarje in the Last Decade of the Monarchy: a Look Through Newspaper and Archival Sources

Abstract

The article examines religious and social life in Nazarje between 1909 and 1921, drawing on the monastery chronicle, visitation records, and brief newspaper reports. World events, particularly the First World War and the subsequent disintegration of the Habsburg Monarchy, followed by the creation of a new state, significantly affected the life of this pilgrimage site and its inhabitants. The prewar years were characterised by festivities, vibrant social life, and various forms of religious observance. At the onset of the war, the monastery chronicler and newspaper reporters focused on mobilisation, the experiences of local inhabitants on the frontline, and various forms of humanitarian aid. A special chapter concerns the refugees from Gorizia, to whom the parishioners extended their utmost solidarity, including the establishment of a school for refugees. The article discusses the impact of scarcity, requisitions, and the earthquake of 1917, as well as the May Declaration Movement, the fighting for the northern border, and Nazarje’s reception of refugees from Carinthia. The visitation record from 1921 provides further details, describing the religious vitality and social engagement of the parish. The article thus offers an illustrative microhistorical insight into the intricate links between war, migration, religious observance, and solidarity in Nazarje’s local community.