Scholars Highlight Importance of Valvasor's Work
A two-day seminar on the 17th century Slovenian polymath Janez Vajkard Valvasor began in Ljubljana on Tuesday to highlight the importance of his versatile work, ranging from history to natural sciences.
The participants of the symposium, among them linguist Matjaz Kmecl and historian Branko Reisp, stressed that Valvasor (1641-1693) recorded the flaura and fauna of the area, importantly influenced the modern ethnology and played a major role in Slovenian culture.
Born in Ljubljana into a family of local nobility, Valvasor refused to pursue studies after graduating at 17, but embarked on a 14-year journey across Europe to meet famous scholars of the time. During that period he also travelled to northern Africa and joined the army in the Austrian-Turkish war.
Upon returning home, he acquired Bogensperk Castle near Litija, central Slovenia, where he arranged for a writing, drawing and printing workshop. He spent a fortune on writing and publishing books to the extent that, towards the end of his life, he was forced to sell the castle and his rich library.
His most important work is the monumental "The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola" (Die Ehre des Herzogthums Crain in German; Slava vojvodine Kranjske in Slovene). Published 1689 in 15 tomes, the book totals 3,532 pages and includes 528 illustrations, providing a memerable description of the Slovenian land of the time.
His extensive treatise on the hydrology of the intermittent Lake Cerknica won him the membership of the Royal Society in London in 1688. He is moreover believed to be the first explorer of caves in Slovenia and a pioneer of studying the Karst phenomena.
More articles from this issue:
Archive
|