AŠKERČEV TRG 7, LAŠKO

The Rectory

Renaissance beauty in arcaded corridors, proudly sheltering an immense wealth of books.

LOCATION STORY

The Rectory

The rectory is an imposing building with an irregular rectangular ground plan, most likely built together with the Church of St Martin in the 13th century. Its eastern wing dates from this period. The southern and western parts were added in the 15th century, followed by the northern wing in the 16th century, giving the building the scale that makes it one of the most important architectural accents of the historic centre beside the Savinja River.

On the western exterior façade facing the river, a semicircular tower with a conical roof forms one of the rectory's most recognisable features. The building largely acquired its present appearance in the 17th century. About two hundred years later an arcaded corridor was added, along with several adaptations and renovations that did not substantially alter the basic design.

The mass and form of the exterior give the building a distinctly castle-like appearance. Entrances to the inner courtyard are emphasised by stone portals from different historical periods — Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical — testifying to centuries of development.

The interior likewise reflects different building phases, architectural styles and the importance of the property through history. Ground-floor rooms have Renaissance barrel vaults enriched with groin lunettes. Renaissance vaults survive on the upper floor in the eastern wing, while two rooms in the southern section have Baroque barrel vaults.

Two paths from Laško: Trubar and Tiffernus

Between 1530 and 1535 Primož Trubar lived in the tower section of the rectory while serving as vicar in Laško.

During Trubar's time here, the church warden was Erazem Stich. Trubar learned of his unusual life story. Forty years earlier, Stich had found a boy in an abandoned Ottoman camp who had been abducted somewhere in Carniola and was intended to be raised as a janissary. Stich took the foundling in, had him baptised as Mihael and enabled him to receive an education. When the boy grew up, he sent him to study in Vienna.

Because his real parents were unknown, the young man adopted the surname Tiffernus, derived from the old German name for Laško. After his studies he remained in Vienna as a tutor to noble sons. In 1526 he became tutor to Prince Christoph of Württemberg, and when Christoph later became duke, Tiffernus became his adviser.

When Primož Trubar arrived in Württemberg, two men connected with Laško met in a remarkable encounter. Tiffernus introduced his friend — whom he had until then known mainly through stories — to Duke Christoph of Württemberg.

In his later writings Trubar noted that all his books were printed through the ‘grace and favour’ of the Duke of Württemberg.

THEN AND NOW