The oldest written record of the village dates back to 1656 and contains the handwritten signature of Petar Zrinski.
Let the secret of the village of Jezernice be revealed - a hidden gem on the border of Croatia and Slovenia! Travel through centuries and bring to life the story of brave Uskoks, warriors, defenders, and noblemen. This small village, home to the exceptional Šajatović family, preserves a captivating history. Discover their fearless battles, honors, noble titles, as well as the stories of the village in more recent times. Take a walk along paths rich in history and uncover the secrets hidden in the depths of Žumberak. Scan the QR code to dive deeper into the first small part of an incredible story.
Welcome to the village of Jezernica, a hidden gem on the border of present-day Croatia and Slovenia! This small but exceptionally significant village holds fascinating stories from many centuries, and the most interesting among them is the story of the village from the 16th century when brave Uskoks first settled these areas. Standing out within that group was the exceptional Šajatović family, whose members became synonymous with bravery, honor, and noble pride.
The Šajatovićs were more than ordinary settlers - they were a military elite that defended Christianity in times of conflict and danger. Their male members distinguished themselves as excellent soldiers, brave warriors who fearlessly defended their communities. Their women were highly respected, being both mothers and wives to honorable and strong men.
Italian merchant and politician Giovanni de Farma, who spent many years on the Croatian coast and was familiar with the events in Senj, described the Uskok women as follows: "They are devout and moral, but circumstances sometimes forced them to do unusual things. That's why they can sometimes be seen on the ramparts with a rifle in hand."
On page 235 of the literary work "Rački," de Farma is quoted in a conversation with his brother Antonio: "The honor and purity of the Uskok women/daughters are a metaphor for Christian purity and honor of all Uskoks. '...not a single prostitute will be found, even if you offer them gold. Those who are, are foreigners from other countries.'"
The author Leopold Chimani also wrote about Uskok women in his work published in Vienna in 1815, pages 212 to 225 in "Vaterlándische Unterhaltungen":
The hilly region of Žumberak was not fertile. People were forced to rely on meat and dairy products. Sometimes, women ran out of flour and mixed ground tree bark into the bread. Women exchanged wool, leather, and hemp fabric for food in neighboring towns. There are no more valuable women than the Uskok women. They are never idle. Even young girls skillfully handled the spindle, cared for the livestock, and worked in the fields. Women knew how to do EVERYTHING.
One of the most important aspects for the Uskoks in Žumberak was fasting! They fasted three days a week, 40 days before Easter, and ate everything during holidays, regardless of the quantity. Valvasor noted in his records "Slave vojvodine Kranjske" the following words: "These loyal women would rather have their heads cut off than eat meat during fasting."
The curiosities about the village of Jezernica and its daughters and sons are endless. The proud warriors and nobles, the Šajatovićs, are mentioned in many archives of different states and places. It is not always easy to recognize them all because writers often reshaped their surname in their own way. For example, we have the French diplomatic name "de Sajatowitz" or the Austrian or German "Von Schadowitz" or the title "von Jezernice." Through generations, the Šajatović family has transmitted their values and dedication to defending these lands, leaving a lasting impression on the community.
Many Šajatovićs can be found on the list of the Vienna Academy and in the military units of the Emperor and the King. Alongside prominent soldiers Šajatović Juraj, Petar, Janko, Stjepan, and Franjo, there were also...
-
Anton, distinguished officer and chief commander of the fortress in Slavonski Brod.
-
Nikola, staff officer and commander of the border section of the military and civil governorate of the city of Zagreb.
-
Daniel von Jezernice, captain of the Royal Hungarian Bodyguard.
-
Demeter, lieutenant colonel and accountant of the 6th Frontier Regiment in Bjelovar, and later in Gospić and Zagreb.
-
Mihael, captain of the 1st class in Gospić and mayor of Karlobag.
-
Emil, deputy commander of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian regiment and others.
Of all the sons of the village, surely the most famous is Janko Šajatović Krabat, who was born here in 1624 and died in 1704 in Gross Särchen, Saxony, where the Lusatian people remember him as a legend—a man with supernatural powers, a benefactor, and a devoted believer. In Saxony, various depictions of his real life intertwine with the legend that was written for children, incorporating imaginative elements. However, for years, it has been mandatory reading in schools.
If we focus on his real life, it is worth noting that Janko was exceptionally capable, educated, and handsome. For many inhabitants of Saxony, he was their savior, as he selflessly educated the people, fed them, provided them with jobs, loaned money for investments, built churches, and served as an advisor to Saxon princes. He exerted maximum effort for the well-being of the people of Lusatia, often sitting at the table and dining with the prince's family. Even today, he is called the king of hearts in that region, the Lusatian Faust, a wizard, and more. Settlements, tourist routes, products, souvenirs, societies, and more are named after him.
The secret to his successful life, beauty, exceptional intelligence, language skills (he spoke six languages), and longevity (he lived to be 80 years old, while the average life expectancy at the time was only 40) was that every morning he would thank God for a new day and humbly ask Him to accompany him through it and make only good decisions. Every evening after work and before going to sleep, he would thank dear God for everything he had experienced, been able to give, and learn throughout the day.
Books and movies have been written about Janko Šajatović Krabat, even in Hollywood. It is difficult to summarize his life, as it is a unique and inspiring story for all of us.
Janko Šajatović went to the German state of Saxony in 1660. At the time of the oldest recorded mention of the village, he was still in his homeland.
In the population and property census from 1656 (Urbarium signed by count Petar Zrinski on November 19, 1656, found in the Ljubljana archives), we find landowners: Jagscha, Rate, Vunin, Voyo, and Gaubisch Šajatović. We leave the translation of the names to you because we are not sure ourselves how they should be correctly pronounced. It is likely that they correspond to names such as Jakša, Ratko, Vojko, and similar. Which of the listed landowners is Janko's father is not yet entirely known. It is presumed to be Jakša, but there is still not enough conclusive evidence for that.
It is interesting that next to some names in the land register, related to the land, it is written "von alters her," which means that they have owned the land for a long time and it is not possible to determine their origin or changes in ownership. The fact is that "von alters her" was often mentioned for properties that were older than three generations of users, which may confirm the yet unproven theory that the Šajatovićs lived in the forests of the village "Jesserniza" (as Jezernice was once called) even before the arrival of the first Uskoks and served as military scouts. This would mean that they most likely initially resided in the forests and natural shelters (caves) before bringing their families and building houses. Regardless, it is known that they were brave and reliable officers, hussars, bodyguards, intellectuals, and advisors to significant rulers.
The village of Jezernice, as we call it today, does not deserve to be forgotten. It sadly remained uninhabited for 50 years. On July 9, 2023, the Croatian community from Koljnof, whose fate is similar to that of Žumberak, is placing this plaque and opening the doors of Monika Šajatović Bračika's property, named "Jezernice 13, The House That Tells Stories," in order to preserve as many memories as possible of honorable, but also less honorable, past times in the village.
Enjoy exploring the village of Jezernice and discover the unique story of the heritage that lives on today! Additionally, enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings at an altitude of nearly 800 meters.
Although the story of the Uskoks and the Šajatović family in Jezernice had its conclusion, and the village was abandoned for fifty years, the village continues its story through every person who visits, every event that takes place, and every step taken to preserve its cultural, culinary, and religious heritage. Jezernice is a place that will always be open to all who want to experience the spirit of the past and admire the beauty of the nature park in which it is located, as well as the modern story that has emerged from the courage of one woman, who has become a symbol of village revival and, through her presence, testifies to the courage, pride, and tradition of the Šajatovićs.
So, even though the story of the Uskok family Šajatović and Jezernice has its conclusion, the village continues its story through every person who visits, every event that takes place, and every step taken to preserve its cultural heritage. Jezernice is a place that will always be open to all who want to experience the spirit of the past today and admire its beauty.
- Log in to post comments
