A kozolec (Slovene: kozolec) is a freestanding vertical drying rack found chiefly in Slovenia. They are permanent structures, primarily made of wood, upon which fodder for animals is dried. Though a practical structure, a kozolec is often artistically designed and handcrafted and is thought by Slovenes to form a distinctive form of vernacular architecture that marks Slovene identity.[1]
The kozolec can be found throughout Slovenia except in the Prekmurje region and the Slovenian Littoral. Kozolci are found in about 80% of Slovenia. Similar forms can be found as well in Friuli in Italy[2] and in the East Tyrol region of Austria. In German, it is called Harpfe or Köse.[3]
Other Slovene names for the kozolec are kazuc, stog and toplar. The former is very colloquial and is usually attached to the single, stretched form known as the enojni kozolec. The stog is commonly found in the Upper Carniola and especially in the area around Studor in the Bohinj region. Toplar is the common name for the double-rack or dvojni kozolec type found in the Lower Carniola. They are not unlike the stog in general form but differ architecturally.[4]
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