Trbovlje, Slovenia

🇸🇮 Trbovlje is Slovenia's ninth largest town, and the seat of the Municipality of Trbovlje. It is located in the valley of a minor left bank tributary of the Sava River in the Central Sava Valley in central-eastern Slovenia.

History Coal mining began at Beech Mountain (Bukova gora, 547 meters or 1,795 feet) south of the town in 1804. The town was connected to the Austrian Southern Railway in 1849, which contributed to its further development. During the 19th century, a cement plant, mechanical separator, sawmill, and power plant were built in Trbovlje.

Poor social conditions in Trbovlje led to several strikes by mine workers, and the town became a centre of the leftist movement and communist agitation. On June 1, 1924 there was a clash between workers and members of the Organization of Yugoslav Nationalists that resulted in several fatalities on both sides. In 1934, miners staged a sitdown strike at the mine.

Second World War During the Second World War, Trbovlje, along with the rest of Lower Styria, was annexed to the Third Reich. The coal mine and other industries of Trbovlje were especially important to the German authorities, and they initially lowered unemployment in the town and increased wages, increasing satisfaction with the new regime. However, the arrest and exile of Slovenes in August 1941 created disaffection. This and other repressive measures resulted in an estimated 90% of the population opposing the Germans by the summer of 1944.

Mass grave The Abandoned Cemetery Mass Grave (Slovene: Grobišče na opuščenem pokopališču) site, associated with World War II, is located in the former cemetery in the northern part of the town, between the fence and Trboveljščica Creek. It is also known as the Town Park Mass Grave (Grobišče Mestni park), and it contains the remains of about 30 German soldiers.

Culture The Trbovlje Museum (Zasavski Muzej Trbovlje) has a large section dedicated to the history of mining.

The Slovenian industrial band Laibach also originated in Trbovlje.

The Trbovlje Student Club organization (Klub trboveljskih študentov) holds various events.

Economy Trbovlje is known for its long coal mining history. Trbovlje is also known for Trbovlje Power Station, which is the location of European Union's tallest chimney at 360 meters. In the past there were companies like respected Strojna Tovarna Trbovlje - STT, well known Iskra, Mehanika, Cementarna Trbovlje, et cetera that have employed many high skilled people and contributed to the economy. Due to their size this was not felt only locally but nationally.

Parishes and churches Two Roman Catholic parishes have their seat in Trbovlje: the Parish of Trbovlje–St. Martin and the Parish of Trbovlje–St. Mary. Both belong to the Diocese of Celje.

The Parish Church of St Martin was originally a Romanesque church, of which part of the nave survives. The sanctuary is Gothic and in the 18th century a Baroque belfry and chapel were added. In the 19th century the nave was extended. A second church of the Parish of Trbovlje–St. Martin in the western end of town is dedicated to Saint Nicholas and was built in the 18th century.

The Parish of Trbovlje–St Mary in the southern part of the town was established in 2000. Its parish church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. It was built from 1998 to 2000 according to plans by the architect Jože Marinko. Stained glasses, paintings, and the Stations of the Cross were created by the academy-trained painter Lojze Čemažar. The church was blessed in August 2000 and consecrated in October 2007.

A significant portion of Trbovlje's populace today describe themselves as atheists, in third place behind Catholic and "no response".