MODERN HISTORY OF BELA KRAJINA

PROTESTANTISM:

Protestantism started to spread in 1548 throughout the Dolenjska region. It only had a few followers from the very beginning. However, two churches and schools were built in Črnomelj and Metlika later on. When the archduke Ferdinand turned against Protestantism in 1598, the new religion soon started loosing its followers.

THE YEARS OF BAD LUCK AND TROUBLE:

The 17th century was troubled by all means. The plague from Asia reached Bela krajina and killed 1200 people in Metlika during the period between 1646 and 1647. Cholera seized Črnomelj in years 1348 and 1510, then in 1647, 1691, as well as, from 1720 to 1724. The people who died of cholera were buried near Sv. Sebastijan's church.

Besides the plague and cholera, huge fires threatened the people's lives in Bela krajina. Both Metlika and Črnomelj were destroyed by fire several times. Due to these troubled years the people started beliving in witchcraft.

Črnomelj in 1689 after Valvasor's litography.(photo: Marko Pezdirc)

Metlika in the second half of 17th century - Valvasor's litography.(photo: Marko Pezdirc)

As a resoult of economic, commercial ans strategic requirements of Bela krajina, the region got its railway. After many years of planning and hard work, the railway route from Novo mesto to Metlika was opened on 23rd March 1912. A railway bridge followed it over the river Kolpa thus joining Bela krajina with Croatia in 1913.

Črnomelj's bridge around 1915(photo: Marko Pezdirc)

 WORLD WAR I  (1914 - 1918):

 On 1st August 1914 tha Austro-Hungarian authority carried out a general mobilisation. Over 50 men from Metlika solely as well as many othars from the rest of Bela krajina were sent to the front even though most people belived it would not last long.

Back!