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4: CASE STUDY 1: THE ITALIAN/SLOVENIAN BORDER
signs were installed to inform anyone approaching of the distance to or the
exact location of the borderline and were more common in some areas than
in others. Especially in areas where people came closer to the border, for
example where the border ran near towns or villages, there was an increased
need to inform people. From studying photographs from the area at the
Goriški Musej Archives it becomes clear that the signs also changed throughout
time. During the early period between 1947–1954 when Anglo-American
forces were present as peace keepers in the area many of the signs within
Zone A were written in English as well as the standard Slovenian and Italian.
Later as the Anglo-American forces were removed from the area there was no
need for English signs. Although the signs were much more frequent in the
past several of them still remain. On the Carso/Karst area near Trieste a sign
with information in both Italian and Slovenian and with an empty space
where a third, English, sign had been removed is still in situ (Figure 37). On
the Italian side there were also many signs scattered across the border
landscape forbidding photography, filming, drawing or the use of binoculars
within the border areas. These signs were written in Italian and had a map to
demonstrate the area that was off limits for photographing, filming, drawing
or using binoculars (Figure 38). At border crossings there were signs informing
on the presence of police and customs and how to approach these.
At the border museum located in Nova Gorica railway station several signs
that used to be located on the Yugoslavian and subsequently the Slovenian
side are displayed. The signs on the Yugoslavian side were mostly written in
Slovenian, apart from signs by border crossings. The most common signs
along the border were those warning about the border or indicating the limit
of a military area, such as those located by Nova Gorica Railway station. After
Slovenian independence the Slovenian coat of arms at the top of the sign was
placed on top of the Yugoslavian. The main difference between the signs
available today and those in the past is that today there is no need to discourage
people from crossing the border. Instead signs are used to inform
those crossing of the rules and laws within the territory they are about to
enter, such as speed regulations and toll requirements for the motorways. To
the contrary many, unofficial signs, from casinos and shops are now encouraging
people to cross. Away from the border crossings there are very few signs
today informing on the border’s presence.
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