Historical Archives Ljubljana

The origins of the Historical Archives Ljubljana may be traced back to the Municipal Archives of Ljubljana, which was founded in 1898 by Ljubljana's municipal authorities. Since 1966 the range of activities of the Municipal Archives has gradually extended to the whole of central Slovenia, all the way from Jesenice, through Ljubljana and its surroundings to Idrija, Novo mesto and Metlika. The Archives have also changed their organisational structure. In October 1973, the Municipal Archives of Ljubljana were renamed the Historical Archives Ljubljana (Zgodovinski arhiv Ljubljana). Today they comprise six units: Unit for the Municipal Archives of Ljubljana (Enota Mestni arhiv Ljubljana), Unit for the Surroundings of the City of Ljubljana (Enota za obljubljansko obmocje Ljubljana), Unit for Gorenjska Kranj (Enota za Gorenjsko Kranj), Unit for Dolenjska and Bela krajina Novo mesto (Enota za Dolenjsko in Belo krajino Novo mesto), Unit in Škofja Loka (Enota v Škofji Loki) and Unit in Idrija (Enota v Idriji). The Archives' remit includes the following state administrative units (territorial divisions other than municipalities used in state governance): Cerknica, Črnomelj, Domžale, Grosuplje, Idrija, Jesenice, Kamnik, Kočevje, Kranj, Litija, Ljubljana, Logatec, Metlika, Novo mesto, Radovljica, Ribnica, Škofja Loka, Trebnje, Tržič and Vrhnika.

The Historical Archives Ljubljana collect and keep records of the archives of organisations and institutions of local and regional interest, while the archives of organisations and institutions at state level is taken care of by the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia (ARS). In its depositories the Historical Archives Ljubljana keep and preserve a great variety of archives, including several notable collections of documents and manuscript books (the oldest dating from 1320), maps and charts, plans and photographs relating to the economic operation of the Municipal Authorities of Ljubljana and other towns, and minutes of councils and committees, accounting books, land registers. They also maintain the archives of other administrative bodies, the judiciary, economy, school system, socio-political organisations, associations and companies (including important archives from the quicksilver mine of Idrija), as well as of individuals and families. The majority of the older archives - more than 1,300 records, that is some 4,000 linear metres of material - are written in the German language and in Gothic characters, because up to 1882 German was the official language.

The Historical Archives Ljubljana are responsible for taking care of more than 3,000 archive groups or about 11,000 linear metres of archives, which are constantly on the increase. For conservation reasons and for easier access by users, 1,321 microfilm copies have been made. A reference library, a microfilm laboratory and copying machines are at the disposal of the public.

Historical Archives Ljubljana

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