Beno Zupančič Library
Initially
the building was a fascist
house, Casa del Fascio, whose
foundation stone was laid on 19
September 1938 by dictator Benito
Mussolini himself. Postojna became
part of the Kingdom of Italy
after 1918, when it was annexed
to Italy by the London Treaty, and
remained under Italian control
until the country’s capitulation in
1943. As a strategic location at
the Rapallo border, Postojna under Italy on
the one hand suffered the violence of fascist
denationalisation, while on the other hand it
experienced an economic heyday, which was
reflected in the many buildings constructed
during this period, including the presentday
library.
The Postojna library, which was previously
located in a number of other locations, has
been housed in this building since 1967, and
has been carrying the name of the writer
Beno Zupančič since 1981. The same building
also houses the Tourist Information
Centre and a gallery. During the time of
fascism, when the locals feared the authorities
might seize Slovenian books, they would
even store the books in suitcases and distribute
them among readers, who would then
exchange the books among themselves.
Would you like to get to know the history of
the town of Postojna in more detail? Visit the
library department of local history, where you
will be advised on what reading to choose.
Casa del Fascio (Fascist House) was a
political and cultural institution during
the time of fascism, which served as
party headquarters, as well as a space for
organised leisure activities (dopolavoro).