Day 180 October 8th 2019 Franj Partisan Hospital, Slovenia
Partizanska Bolnica Frania (Franja Partisan Hospital) – our first stop out of Ljubjlana. A WWII hospital built and run to be undiscoverable. Set into a deep gorge, high in the mountains, well hidden from detection – which still appears the case! Even Google had trouble – leading us along the secret scenic route to get there!!
Clandestine hospitals were a feature of the Slovenian partisan resistance and this hospital recreated after a flood carried most of it away, was a vivid example. Named after a doctor who worked at the hospital from inception to wars end.
What thoughtfulness, co-operation and collaboration it took to run the hospital efficiently and without detection throughout the war years. This included an ex-German soldier who became the shoemaker. A cultural program to maintain morale. A soldier willingly taking on the job of boiling clothing to kill lice. Transportation of patients by human carriage overnight through the roiling river.
It set a nurse’s imagination alight!
Added to over the course of the war by wars end there were 14 wooden cabins housing various groups of patients and hospital function. After the flood in 2007 much of the structure and memorabilia was washed away. Buildings were reconstructed using historical documentation but many of the museum pieces were lost.
It seemed a not to be missed site that was indeed missed by many. Fortunately for us the setting had no other visitors and the quietness added to the authentic feeling along with the narrow path and bridges into the gorge.
Would not have missed it despite the difficulty winding our way to the entrance. We think there was a much easier drive in but enjoyed the mystery of it all.
