The Chaplaincy

The chaplaincy building dates from the 16th century. Originally it leaned against the cemetery wall, because the market-town cemetery still surrounded the church at that time. The chaplaincy acquired its present appearance in 1833, when the cemetery was relocated and its enclosing wall demolished.

A church school operated in the building in the 16th century; a record made by the school administrator in 1578 confirms its existence. In the 17th and 18th centuries children were mostly taught by the church organist, while the municipal clerk also had a small number of pupils.

Between 1864 and 1868 the young chaplain Dragutin Šauperl lived here. World literature had fascinated him since his school years. Because he wished to travel to America as a missionary he began learning English, but illness prevented the planned journey.

He therefore turned his knowledge of English towards literary translation. In Laško in 1865 he produced the first translation of Shakespeare's Hamlet into Slovenian. A year later he added an introduction to this world classic and a biography of William Shakespeare.

He continued by translating Shakespeare's King Lear, but sadly died before he could complete the work.