Franja Partisan Hospital - SLOVENIA 2020

Cerkno & Idrija - Franja Partisan Hospital

Franja Partisan hospital is a unique monument of humanity, companionship and solidarity of II. world war. It operated as an illegal hospital hidden in a difficult to access gorge in Dolenji Novaki near Cerkno between 1943 and 1945.

Franja Partisan hospital had 14 wooden buildings such as huts for the wounded, an x-ray room (one of just two in the country), a warehouse, a home for the disabled and even an electricity station.

Despite the exceptional situation medical care was at a high level. Qualified expert surgeons performed surgeries, while the civilians supplied the hospital with medicines, medical supplies and food.

One of the most important tasks of the staff was the concern for safety. They set up a perfect defence system with bunkers for the guard and shelters for the wounded. The only access to the hospital was through a creek running through the gorge. The hospital was never discovered by enemies.

Approximately 900 individuals were treated in Franja Partisan hospital, among which were almost 100 foreigners from Italy, ex Yugoslavia and Soviet Union, France, Austria, Poland and America.

Besides the staff, the locals also contributed to the successful operation of the hospital as they helped in building the huts, hiding the wounded in their homes and collecting food, medicines and other materials for them.