Originally, this building was a Fascist home, Casa del Fascio, whose foundation stone was laid by the dictator Benito Mussolini himself on September 19, 1938. Postojna was part of the Kingdom of Italy – from 1918, when it belonged to Italy in accordance with the Treaty of London, until its capitulation in 1943. As a strategic city on the border of Rapallo, Postojna under Italy experienced on one hand the violence of fascist denationalisation, and on the other hand an economic boom, which was also evident by the many buildings that were built during this period.
In addition to the present day library, there are also mighty buildings of former banks, today’s cultural centre, museum, kindergarten in Gregorčičev drevored… Postojna library has been housed in this building since 1967, and it has been named after the writer Beno Zupančič since 1981. In the same building also houses TIC and the gallery. Before that, the library was in many locations. During fascism, when they were afraid that the authorities would confiscate their Slovenian books, they stored them in suitcases and distributed them among readers, who then exchanged the books with each other.
Would you like to learn more about the history of Postojna? Visit the local history section of the library, where they will help you in selecting the correct literature.
Casa del Fascio (Fascist House) was a politico-cultural institution during Fascism that served as the headquarters of the party as well as a place for organised leisure activities (dopolavoro).
