From late 1943 until the end of WWII, this clandestine hospital, hidden in a canyon near Dolenji Novaki, about 5 kilometers northeast of Cerkno, treated wounded Partisan soldiers from Yugoslavia and other countries. But did you know the story of the Franja Partisan Hospital?
During WWII, there was a private hospital for 120 partisans in Slovenia, hidden in the forest behind a torrent, that remained secret for over two years and was never discovered, despite vigorous attempts by enemy forces-Nazi. It is now a museum candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status.
The Franja Partisan Hospital
The Franja Partisan Hospital was a secret World War II hospital located in the wild and beautiful landscape of the Pasica gorge in Western Slovenia. Franja Partisan Hospital, built by the Slovenian resistance movement between 1943 and 1945, could house 120 patients simultaneously within its 13 camouflaged buildings.
The numbers vary, but between 500 and 1,000 soldiers were treated at Franja Partisan Hospital, which was never discovered despite intense efforts by enemy forces. The structures seen today are reconstructions, as the originals were destroyed by flooding. (Source: History Hit)
Franja Partisan Hospital History
The hospital was constructed deep within German-occupied Europe, just a few hours from Austria and the heart of the Third Reich. Building began at the end of 1943 and was continuously improved until 1945.
Viktor Voljak founded and built it, but it was named after its manager and physician, Franja Bojc Bidovec, who began working there in 1944.
The hospital was highly well-equipped for a covert, partisan operation and was designed to treat up to 120 patients at a time, though it saw nearly ten times that number during its occupation.
Most of the patients were wounded anti-Nazi resistance fighters who would have been arrested in a regular hospital. Among the patients was a wounded German enemy soldier who, after recovering, remained on staff at the hospital.
Throughout the hospital’s operation, German military activity was every day in the surrounding area. As a result, the hospital’s entrance was hidden in the woods and could only be reached via bridges that could be retracted if the enemy was nearby.
Its location was so secret that patients were transported there blindfolded. Minefields and machine gun nests also guarded it, and it was hidden by the many trees and camouflaged buildings that were critical to its secrecy when faced with enemy air reconnaissance missions.
It was never discovered and was in use until May 1945, when it was donated to the Cerkno Museum.
In 2007, it was severely damaged by a flood caused by heavy rains. As a result, by 2010, it had been completely rebuilt and reopened to the public. It is currently being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status. (Source: History Hit)
Franja Partisan Hospital for Tourists
Visitors can now stroll around the Franja Partisan Hospital’s reconstructed buildings. The storehouse is the only original structure that has survived.
There is English signage and abundant natural beauty, including waterfalls, among the breathtaking scenery. (Source: History Hit)
Image from Rove