Quarantine Station for Prisoners of War in Ljubljana Castle

Abstract

With Italy going to war Carniola and its capital Ljubljana became the direct rear of the Soča Isonzo front. Ljubljana castle was changed into the P.O.W. camp for Italian prisoners of war. The author on the basis of the archives describes the life of that peculiar centre. Along with its elementary function of a transit quarantine station it also played a visible role in the economic-cultural pulse of the town and its surrounding. In spite of its being physically separated and well guarded, lively contacts with the town were made, mostly thanks to the castle commander Kern and the constant Italian P.O.W. garrison. In spite of its special role it became, to a certain degree, the part of the town.