The Italians in the Slovene Countries From the 13th untili the 17th Century

Abstract

The mutual contacts of the Slovene and Italian countries led lo the reciprocal migralions, consequently also of the Italians to the Slovene countries. Untill the end of the Medieval Age this migration was mostly sporadic, having more a temporary than a permanent character, and connected with the transitional long distance trade; with the exception of the coastland cities. From the end of the 15th century onwards the Italians, however, immigrated in larger groups and permanently. The process reached the climax in the middle of the 17th century. Their destinations were mostly the tovvns Ptuj, Ljubljana and Gorica. They however, didn't go to the country, with the exception of the ironworkers. The absolute number of the immigrants was comparatively small. They assimilated pretty fast, nevertheless, they influenced the economy, culture and every-dav life in the Slovene countries.