Ivan Hribar is perhaps the most recognisable figure of the 1870–1941 period, and certainly the best-known mayor of Ljubljana. He is most often referred to as a Slovenian banker, insurance executive, politician, mayor, diplomat, and publicist.
He was born on 19 September 1851 in Trzin, in a house locally known as Pr’ Boldinčkovih. The family had six children. Ivan was a sickly but talented child – from the primary school in Mengeš, he advanced directly to the second grade of lower grammar school in Ljubljana. Early on, he decided to pursue the politics of Pan-Slavic unity, but due to his convictions he could not complete his schooling in either Ljubljana or Novo Mesto.
He was employed at the Czech bank Slavia (1876–1919) in Ljubljana, and later served in Prague and Trieste, where he had an outstanding career. He compensated for his lack of formal education through self-study.
As a politician, Hribar first served as a provincial deputy (1889–1908), then as city councillor (1882–1910) and member of the Austrian Imperial Council (1907–1911). He consistently advocated for the development of Ljubljana – initiating the construction of a modern water supply system (1890) and striving to modernise the city.
After the 1895 earthquake, he became deeply involved in the city’s reconstruction. In 1896, he was elected mayor for the first time, a position he held until 1910. During this time, he introduced official use of the Slovenian language, laid the foundations for the Slovenian university and museum, and promoted the establishment of Slovenian banks and insurance companies.
His leadership ended in 1908 when political opponents succeeded in preventing the Emperor from confirming his mandate after 14 years of service.
After leaving politics, he devoted himself to private life. During the First World War, he was imprisoned in Ljubljana for his political stance, and later exiled to Austria.
After the war, he returned to Ljubljana, where King Peter I appointed him ambassador to Prague. In 1921, he returned as royal governor for Slovenia but resigned due to political disagreements. Later, in 1932, King Alexander appointed him to the Senate.
In April 1941, he was deeply disappointed by the rapid capitulation of the Yugoslav army and the occupation of Slovenia. On 18 April 1941, he committed suicide as a silent protest against the occupier.
Hribar often visited Cerklje, where his sister lived. In 1886, he bought the Ukež House, which was remodelled by architect Jan Vladimir Hráský. Cerklje became his favourite summer residence – he kept a hunting ground, orchard, a windmill for pumping water, and even a swimming pool.
He called the village his little Rome, where he gladly hosted friends and acquaintances.
In 1936, he transferred the house to his son Milko and his wife Blanka. As they did not maintain the property, it fell into disrepair. After their deaths, the heirs sold the house to Gorenjska Bank, which renovated it into a “bourgeois villa”.
In 1999, the building was declared a monument of national importance.
Municipality of Cerklje na Gorenjskem
Trg Davorina Jenka 13
4207 Cerklje na Gorenjskem
Phone: +386 4 281 58 00
Fax: +386 4 281 58 20
E-mail: obcinacerklje@siol.net
The exhibition can be visited by prior arrangement during the official opening hours of the Municipality of Cerklje na Gorenjskem.
Monday: 8:00–11:00 and 12:00–14:00
Wednesday: 8:00–11:00 and 12:00–16:00
Friday: 8:00–11:00
