Slovenia
MAP - August, 2006 - text below

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Franciscan Church in Ljubljana's Old Town

Ljub3_Franciscan

Ljub3_Franciscan.jpg

About Slovenia: Beginning in Paleolithic times (80,000 BC), Slovenia has experienced: Romans (181 BC), Huns (5th century), early Slavs migrating in during the 6th century, Carolingians and Christianity in the 8-9th century. Then came an era of German-ization, when most of its castles were built (10-13th century). Hapsburg rule began in the 14th century and lasted to the end of WWI. During this time there were peasant uprisings, the end of feudalism, the reformation, a visit from Napolean and the French revolution leading to the 1848 spirit of revolution in many parts of Europe. WWI destruction led to a drive for independence, resulting in a state of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, with Tito becoming head of the Communist Party of Slovenia in 1937; he conscientiously avoided aligning with Russian Communism. Germany took over in WWII. A Slovene Liberation Front helped by the allies achieved freedom in 1945. After Tito died in 1980, ethnic conflict pitted Serbs against Albanians. When Serbs took over Kosovo, which was 80% Albanian, Slovenes feared the same could happen to them. In 1990 Slovenia declared its sovereignty and pulled out of the Yugoslavian union, but only after a 10-day war on the southern border. Surprisingly, Belgrade withdrew from fighting quickly, compared to bloody, protracted fighting in places like Serejevo.