Trbovlje was attested in written sources in 1220–30 asTrefeul (and asTrevůl andTrevol in 1265–67,Triuella in 1302,Trifeul in 1325,Triueal in 1330, andTriuel in 1424). The name is a feminine plural noun in standard Slovene, but in the local dialect it is declined as a neuter singular adjective. This indicates that the name is derived from*Trěbovľe selo (literally, 'Trěbo's village'), referring to an early inhabitant of the place.[6] In the past the German name wasTrifail.[5]
Coal mining began at Beech Mountain (Slovene:Bukova gora, 547 meters or 1,795 feet) south of the town in 1804.[7] The town was connected to theAustrian 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.[7][8]
Poor social conditions in Trbovlje led to several strikes by mine workers, and the town became a center of the leftist movement and communist agitation.[7] On June 1, 1924, there was a clash between workers and members of theOrganization of Yugoslav Nationalists that resulted in several fatalities on both sides.[9] In 1934, miners staged asitdown strike at the mine.[7]
During the Second World War, Trbovlje, along with the rest ofLower Styria, was annexed to theThird Reich.[10] 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.[11] 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.[11]
The Abandoned CemeteryMass 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.[12][13]
Trbovlje is known for its longcoal mining history. Trbovlje is also known forTrbovlje Power Station, which is the location ofEuropean Union's tallest chimney at 360 meters. In the past there were companies like respectedStrojna Tovarna Trbovlje - STT, well knownIskra, 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.
TheParish Church of St Martin was originally aRomanesque church, of which part of thenave survives. The sanctuary isGothic and in the 18th century aBaroquebelfry andchapel were added. In the 19th century the nave was extended.[18] A second church of the Parish of Trbovlje–St. Martin in the western end of town is dedicated toSaint Nicholas and was built in the 18th century.[19]
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 architectJože Marinko. Stained glasses, paintings, and theStations of the Cross were created by the academy-trained painterLojze Čemažar. The church was blessed in August 2000 and consecrated in October 2007.[20]
A significant portion of Trbovlje's populace today describe themselves asatheists, in third place behind Catholic and "no response."[21]
Sallaumines, northern France since 1964. There is a street in Sallaumines named Trbovlje, and a street in Trbovlje named Sallaumines. There are also regular short-term exchanges of schoolchildren.[22]
^abLeksikon občin kraljestev in dežel zastopanih v državnem zboru, vol. 4:Štajersko. 1904. Vienna: C. Kr. Dvorna in Državna Tiskarna, p. 58.
^Snoj, Marko. 2009.Etimološki slovar slovenskih zemljepisnih imen. Ljubljana: Modrijan and Založba ZRC, pp. 434–435.
^abcdGorjanc, Boris (1999). "Trbovlje: Zgodovina".Enciklopedija Slovenije. Vol. 13. Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga. p. 318.
^Trbovlje. 1998.Veliki splošni leksikon, vol. 8, p. 4448. Ljubljana: DZS.
^Perovšek, Jure (1994). "Orjuna".Enciklopedija Slovenije. Vol. 8. Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga. pp. 157–158.
^Magocsi, Paul Robert. 1993.Historical Atlas of East Central Europe. Seattle: University of Washington Press, p. 153.
^abTroha, Nevenka (1999). "Trbovlje: Zgodovina".Enciklopedija Slovenije. Vol. 13. Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga. pp. 318–319.
^Ferenc, Mitja, & Ksenija Kovačec-Naglič. 2005.Prikrito in očem zakrito: prikrita grobišča 60 let po koncu druge svetovne vojne. Celje: Muzej novejše zgodovine Celje, p. 124.
^Ferenc, Mitja (December 2009)."Grobišče na opuščenem pokopališču".Geopedia (in Slovenian). Ljubljana: Služba za vojna grobišča, Ministrstvo za delo, družino in socialne zadeve. RetrievedNovember 11, 2023.
