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Abstract: Common land was, until land relief in 1848, mostly owned by the landlords and was managed and used by them and the village communities. This land generally comprised the less fertile and more remote areas, such as pastures and forests. The rights to use the latter were vital for the rural population, who depended in particular on common pasturage and wood, but also on leaves and other natural resources. The dissertation focuses on the 19th century and the early 20th century, up to the First World War. Although the second half of the 18th century is also considered in the interests of a comprehensive study. The presentation and interpretation of the state and changes of the common lands in the provinces of Carniola and Gorizia-Gradisca is followed by an in-depth case study of the area of the manor of Duino and after 1848 of the District Governorship of Sežana. Here, research focuses primarily on the long- standing official and unofficial processes by which common land was divided into private ownership or individual use. After 1848, the latter became the property of the village communities or the newly formed political municipalities. The legal status of the land and the role of the main actors (communities, mayors, beneficiaries, authorities) in these processes are therefore examined. This emphasises the socio- economic role of common land rights, which ultimately led to overexploitation and violations of land use restrictions (i.e. afforestation laws). The dissertation offers an original study as well as an in-depth analysis and interpretation of archival material that has not yet been studied or published. The problematic and unclear legal status of common land was the cause of numerous conflicts and controversies in the past, which were intensified by the existential importance of the land and peasant mentality. This situation was exacerbated in the 19th century, and was reflected in the various forms of legal status of common land or its shares after division. The use of common land was becoming even more restricted and the claims to the shares were all but obvious. Both use and entitlement were not free, as is often assumed. The beneficiaries paid and sometimes even overpaid for their rights. In the dissertation, we have outlined the various conditions for entitlement to common land or shares of common land, and interpreted the process of its division into private or common property. We have established that common land was divided into ownerships mainly from the mid-19th century onwards, which was linked to the land relief during 1848. It should be noted that it was divided into individual use before, and also after the mid-19th century. However, it was later more difficult for the authorities to approve this kind of division, as it did not comply with land relief legislation. As a result, such divisions eventually took place unofficially. Administrative reorganisations in the 19th century brought even more confusion to the process. The issue of unclear status accompanied and conditioned development on common land in the past, and it is legislation at state and local levels that has played and continues to play the greatest role in the management of common land.
Keywords: common land, Karst, microhistory, land use, privatization of land, 19th century, community, rights of the commoner, duties of the commoner, dissertations
Published in RUNG: 11.06.2025; Views: 338; Downloads: 2
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