Aljaž Tower

Infobox building
building_name = Aljaž Tower
native_building_name= Aljažev stolp

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building_type = storm shelter
structural_system = additionally guyed tower
cost =
location = Mount Triglav summit
owner = Slovenian government
landlord = Ljubljana-Matica Mountaineering Club (unofficially)
coordinates = coord|46|22|42|N|13|50|11|E|display=inline,title|region:SL_type:landmark
start_date = Early 1895
completion_date = 7 August 1895
inauguration_date = 7 August 1895
height = convert|1.90|m|ft
diameter = convert|1.25|m|ft|abbr=on
structural_engineer = Jakob Aljaž
civil_engineer = Anton Belec
references = The Aljaž Tower ( _sl. Aljažev stolp) or Triglav Tower ( _sl. "Triglavski stolp") is a tower and a storm shelter, situated on the summit of the Triglav mountain in Slovenia. Alongside Triglav, it is a landmark of Slovenia and a symbol of Slovenehood. The tower was designed by Jakob Aljaž, a priest in the Upper Carniolan village of Dovje, who also had it erected. Nowadays, it is owned by the state, tended by the nowrap|Ljubljana-Matica Mountaineering Club and stands on a parcel belonging to the Municipality of Bohinj.

Construction

Hoping to be able to restrain the increased interest of foreigners for Slovene mountains, Aljaž decided to purchase the peak of the Triglav mountain for a single Austro-Hungarian florin from the then municipality of Dovje.cite web |url=http://www.smarnagora.com/aljaz/aljaz.htm |title=Aljažev stolp vrh Triglava (2864 m) |author=Jakob Aljaž |work=Aljažev zbornik |language=Slovene] Having done so, he secured himself the right to erect a building on his own real property.

In early 1895, Aljaž drew plans for a cylindrical tower with a flag on its top and ordered its construction from the tinsmith and his youth friend Anton Belec, living in Šentvid near Ljubljana.cite web |url=http://www.kam.si/izleti/aljazev_stolp_na_triglavu.html |title=Aljažev stolp na Triglavu |first=Andreja |last=Praznik |accessdate=2008-09-12 |language=Slovene] After Belec constructed its pieces from iron and zinc-coated sheet steel, he and four workers brought them to the summit of Triglav and put the tower together in only five hours on 7 August 1895. The opening took place at that same day. Aljaž donated the shelter, which he called "Triglav Tower" and hence became known as "Aljaž Tower", to the Slovene Mountaineering Society. cite web|url=http://www.planinskodrustvo-ljmatica.si/zgodovina_aljazev_stolp.html|title=Aljažev stolp vrh Triglava|publisher=Mountaneering club Ljubljana-Matica|accessdate=2007-11-13|language=Slovene]

Later the tower was repainted and renewed several times, however it has more or less retained its original appearance.

Cultural significance

On the proclamation of Slovenian independence in June 1991, the flag of Slovenia was solemnly raised at the tower.cite web |url=http://www.gore-ljudje.net/novosti/3900/ |title=Stolp ima 110 let |publisher=Gore-ljudje.net |first=Maja |date=2007-07-25 |last=Belimezov |accessdate=2008-09-12 |language=Slovene] On 5 October 1999, the tower with its immediate surroundings was proclaimed a site of national cultural importance for Slovenia. [cite web |url=http://www.uradni-list.si/1/objava.jsp?urlid=199981&stevilka=3862 |title=Odlok o razglasitvi Aljaževega stolpa na Triglavu za kulturni spomenik državnega pomena |accessdate=2008-09-13 |date=1999-10-05 |work=Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia |publisher=Government of the Republic of Slovenia |language=Slovene]

References

External links

* [http://www.mojaslovenija.si/TriglavNationalPark/Triglav/Triglav.htm Picture/panorama gallery from Triglav]