Bezuljak


Bezuljak is a village north of Begunje pri Cerknici in the Municipality of Cerknica in the Inner Carniola region of Slovenia.

Name

The name Bezuljak is derived from the Slavic common noun *bъzъ 'elder', thus originally referring to the vegetation. Similar names based on the same root are common in Slovenian ethnic territory as well as in other Slavic areas. Other explanations of the name are connected with pasturing, Ottoman attacks, or geographical features.

History

Bezuljak was mentioned as early as the second half of the 13th century as a property of the Carthusian monastery at Bistra. During the Second World War, the Partisans attacked an Italian post in the village on the night of 19 October 1941.

Mass grave

Bezuljak is the site of a mass grave associated with the Second World War. The Matevž Shaft Mass Grave lies northwest of the village, in the Ravnik Valley, in an overgrown area with many sinkholes. It contains the remains of an unknown number of victims at a depth of two meters.

Church

The local church in the settlement is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary and belongs to the Parish of Begunje pri Cerknici.

Notable people

Notable people that were born or lived in Bezuljak include: