The First Reading Room

The building at Aškerčev trg 1 is an example of a more prosperous market-town house. It is particularly interesting because of an outbuilding constructed parallel to the residential wing and connected to it by a linking tract, creating a small enclosed inner courtyard. A wooden platform once also connected the two parts beside the courtyard.

The building was first substantially altered after the great fire of 1840, which changed the appearance of Laško as a whole. Its present form retains earlier exterior features, including the massive entrance portal, while the interior arrangement was completely changed during the most recent renovation.

In addition to its residential use, the building also had a public role in the second half of the 19th century. From 1869 to 1876 it housed the Laško Reading Room. Its purpose was to bring nationally conscious Slovenes together to read newspapers and books and to organise lectures, choral concerts, theatrical performances and social festivities. Soon after its founding the society already had 120 dues-paying members. Alongside many residents of Laško, eminent figures of contemporary social and political life from other Slovenian towns were enrolled as honorary members.

Between the two world wars, various craftspeople — including a tailor, butcher and innkeeper — operated businesses in the ground-floor premises.