The Gozd Martuljek has had several names in the past, including “Rute”, which locals still like to use today because it reminds us of our past.
By placing thematic panels near the Kekljev Bridge, in a beautifully landscaped green corner among the hornbeams, a linden tree, and a view of the Martuljek group, we at Eko Rutaršce wanted to tell the story of how the place developed, what the customs and traditions were like, and how our ancestors lived, who helped shape our place as we know it today. Dr. Marko Mugerli also participated in the preparation of the content as an expert collaborator.
With this content, we want to preserve the heritage of the place, preserve memories that would otherwise be lost over the years, share them with locals and visitors, and pass on the heritage to future generations.
Let us indulge in the records, as they keep our heritage alive.
This is our home
“Tle sma dama”
Rute lies in the Upper Sava Valley between the Julian Alps and the Karawanks. The Martuljek group dominates the south, while Srednji Vrh stretches across the north. The Sava Dolinka river flows through the village, and among its tributaries, Martuljek stands out with its waterfalls and beautiful lady’s slipper orchid habitat. Due to the harsh climate, agriculture has not developed, but rather livestock grazing. The valley has always been an important transport link between Gorenjska, Koroška, and Friulia.
Since when have the Rute been here?
“Ad kda sa tle Rute”
The Upper Sava Valley was originally densely covered with forest. Settlement took place from the east up to Dovje and from Carinthia down from the west. The first Belopeški urbar (land register) names the settlement Gozd (Wald), while the second urbar from 1636 names it Rute v Gozdu (Greütter im Waldt). The third name appears between the two wars, when the railway station was opened and the name Martuljek was added to Gozd.
Domestic house names
“Takle se pr nas praje”
The settlement of Gozd (Rute) is first mentioned in written sources in the land register of the Belopeška estate from 1498, where only five landowners are recorded. By 1636, when the second land register was created, the settlement had already expanded to ten lands with multiple owners. According to oral tradition, the first homesteads were Oman and Pintar, and one of the oldest buildings is Rabičava kašta from around 1530. In addition to house numbers, the houses also had names that did not change despite changes in ownership.
Hard work
“Trdu sa devale”
Farms were based on livestock breeding and forestry. Since 1833, the people of Rute have been grazing small livestock on the Trenta side of Vršič. They grew flax, potatoes, beans, cabbage, buckwheat, rye, oats, corn, and barley. There were 13 mills and 3 sawmills operating along the streams. Water power also drove the first dynamos.
Craftsmen often came to work at home, especially shoemakers and seamstresses, while manual laborers worked in the fields. From the 16th to the 19th century, the locals cut wood and cooked charcoal for smelting.
Traffic
“Kaku sa rajžale”
The road connection between Kranjska and Koroška was extremely important. As early as 1574, the road through the valley to Podkoren and over the Koren pass was adapted for carts. In winter, it was cleared by the Koren carters – ježvarji, and tolls were collected at the Pr Brinjarjo customs office.
The route of the old road ran through Rute along today’s main road, with only the section at Brinjarjo leading over a wooden bridge past Pajštvar. In 1938, the current concrete bridge was built, known for its beautiful mountain views.
A key turning point came in 1870, when the arrival of the first train enabled the locals to connect with the wider world.
Tourists
“Letavišarje”
Tourism flourished even before World War II. Guests stayed with locals and helped with farm work. Tourism stimulated the local economy, with numerous restaurants, a post office, and shops operating. In 1936, the KO-OP hotel, a barn, and a youth center were opened. After the war, the Youth Center became a convalescent home for children with respiratory diseases. In 1951, a stage village was built in the village for the filming of the movie Kekec. In 1981, Rute became part of the Triglav National Park.
In the old days
“U staradavnah čash”
The farmhouses in Rute were of various sizes, with entrances at the front and rear, steep gabled roofs, and characteristic interiors. Water was drawn from wells, and electricity arrived in 1935. In winter, women spun wool and flax. If no girl had married before Carneval, the boys would drag a decorated plough through the village and prepare a Carneval celebration. The locals enjoyed participating in the celebrations. They also often organised a peasant wedding, which showcased old wedding customs.
How they were treated and educated
“Kaku sa se cajtale, pa kam sa u šova hadile”
Rute belonged to the parish of Kranjska Gora. Initially, there were two small chapels in the village, while the larger Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was built in 1911.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the villagers were affected by epidemics such as smallpox and fever. They had a doctor in Kranjska Gora, where the seriously ill were transported by horse. Angela Lavtižar (Pintarjeva) played an important role in this, helping the sick and transporting the doctor and midwives. When problems arose, they helped themselves with home remedies. After compulsory schooling was introduced in 1774, children from Rute began attending school in Kranjska Gora, but attendance was initially very poor. In 1808, only one child out of 43 attended school. After World War II, the locals built their own branch school, which operated until 1971. Shortly after the war, there was also a library in Rute.
