On 7th March 1919, the Government for the Lands of Slovenia and Istria decided to close the legally open brothels or »houses of tolerance«, as they were called in those days.
Even though tolerance towards the love trade ended literally overnight, supply and demand did not. The Maribor Municipality elders were aware of that, as on the one hand, the health care services soon warned them of the spread of Venereal diseases, and on the other hand, the police reported increase in the number of "suspicious" establishments, mostly in the old city centre. Action was required. On 27 August 1919, the Police Commissioner issued a temporary permit for Alojzija Rojs to open a house of tolerance at 5 Seitzerhofgasse (today's Žički prehod / Žički way). It had to comply with strict rules. The main entrance was intended for civilian customers and officers, while ordinary solders were to use the entrance in Vojašniška Street (Vojašniška ulica). The employees were medically examined twice a week, and each visitor of the house of tolerance was "subjected to disinfection" before and after the visit. To make sure everything was in order, a military patrol was based at the house, and the sale of alcohol beverages was strictly prohibited.
It was some time before the regional authorities in Ljubljana became aware of the "illegally" open brothel. They showed zero tolerance towards this local arrangement and the Maribor Municipality had no choice but to close the doors of the last Maribor house of tolerance for ever.
Žički prehod 5
2000 Maribor
