Primož Gašperič works at the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts as a researcher at the Anton Melik Geographical Institute and as the head of the Geographical Museum. His research focuses on old maps and historical cartography, while his project work also examines the influence of history on landscape change, its representation in texts and images, and perceptions of the landscape. Within the museum, he leads professional programmes for groups and individuals and presents lectures to both professional and general audiences on the development of cartography and the specific characteristics of historical cartographic materials.
The main area of research is historical cartography and the study of cartographic elements on old maps. Related research topics include changes in cartographic representations over time, the factors influencing these representations, and the communicative value of cartographic elements. Among the most important publications are the scientific monograph Historical cartography of Slovenian territory, the thematic issue of the scientific journal Acta Geographica Slovenica 63–2, and the overview monograph Cartographic Treasures Of Slovenian Territory. These works present the development of cartography in the territory of Slovenia and the wider region, analyse cartographic elements as the fundamental components of every map, and examine the influences on their origin, development, and communicative value.
The researcher is also a co-author of publications on the representation of landscapes in texts and images and on perceptions of landscape. Within project work, he studies the historical causes of landscape changes, including through film production, as well as the impact of these changes on the lives of inhabitants and the consequences of these influences.
Future development aims to promote historical cartography and emphasise the importance of old maps as primary historical sources. Among the most notable promotional achievements is the inclusion of Florjančič’s 1744 map of Carniola on Slovenia’s National UNESCO Memory of the World register.
- Kozina, J., Stachowiak, K., Ciglič, R., Gašperič, P., Urbanc, M. 2024: European screen locations in the Indian film industry: evolutionary, spatial, and collaborative perspectives. GeoJournal 89.
- Gašperič, P., Jerbič Perko, V., Kozina, J. 2024: The Kočevje region between the hammer and the anvil: a history of political experimentation. Kronika 72-2.
- Gašperič, P. 2023: A new standardized methodology for analyzing cartographic information on old maps. Acta geographica Slovenica 63-2.
- Gašperič, P., Babič, S. 2023: The semiotics of cartographic symbols on old maps. Acta geographica Slovenica 63-2.
- Polajnar Horvat, K., Gašperič, P., Leban, K., Tičar, J., Smrekar, A. 2022: Participatory approach to wetland governance: the case of the memorandum of understanding of the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park. Sustainability 14-16.
- Gašperič, P. 2022: Zgodovinska kartografija ozemlja Slovenije. Geografija Slovenije 37.
- Bole, D., Kumer, P., Gašperič, P., Kozina, J., Pipan, P., Tiran, J. 2022: Clash of two identities: what happens to industrial identity in a post-industrial society?. Societies 12-2.
- Topole, M., Pipan, P., Gašperič, P., Geršič, M., Kumer, P. 2021: Culinary events in the Slovenian countryside: Visitors’ motives, satisfaction, and views on sustainability. Acta Geographica Slovenica 61-1.
- Kumer, P., Zorn, M., Žorž, G., Gašperič, P. 2020: From the Great War to interwar fortifications : changing narratives attached to the military landscape in Western Slovenia.
- Gašperič, P., Šolar, R., Zorn, M. 2020: Kartografski zakladi slovenskega ozemlja = Cartographic treasures of Slovenian territory.
Selected presentations and lectures
- Historical-cartographic perspective on Coppo’s map of Istria. Invited lecture at the international scientific symposium “Pietro Coppo and the map of Istria: 1525–2025,” Izola, November 21, 2025.
- Vinica and Žeželj on old maps. Lecture on the history of cartography and old maps with a focus on cartographic representations of Vinica and its surroundings, Vinica, January 26, 2024.
- Kamnik on old maps. Lecture on the history of cartography and old maps with a focus on cartographic representations of Kamnik and its surroundings. Kamnik, September 29, 2023.
- Historical cartography of the Slovenian teritory. Presentation of the scientific monography at the ZRC Publishing House press conference, Ljubljana, 31. 3. 2022.
- Cartographic treasures of Slovenian territory. Presentation of the scientific monography at the ZRC Publishing House press conference, Ljubljana, 21. 6. 2020.
- Mountain relief on old maps of Slovenian territory. A lecture on Conference of the 240th anniversary of the first documented ascent to Triglav, Slovenian alpine museum, Mojstrana, 8. 6. 2018.
- Cartographic presentations of borders on old maps of Slovenia. A lecture on 4th International Scientific Conference Geobalcanica 2018, Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia, 15. 5. 2018
- Old maps of the Slovenian territory. A lecture on Historični seminar, Mala dvorana ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana, 13. 11. 2014.
- Slovenian territory on the ancient maps. A lecture on 19th Conference of the Groupe des Cartothécaires, Geographical Museum AMGI SRC SASA, Ljubljana, 23. 5. 2014.
- The maps of Ljubljansko barje moor through the time. A lecture as part of training for guides at Landscape park Ljubljansko barje, Hall of the Geographical Museum AMGI SRC SASA, Ljubljana, 4. 3. 2014.
- Ljubljansko barje moor through the eyes of the researches. A lecture on "Researches night 2013", Hall of the Geographical Museum AMGI SRC SASA, Ljubljana, 2. 11. 2013.
- History of cartography – the vegetation on the old maps. A lecture for the students of the School of Environmental Sciences University of Nova Gorica, Geographical Museum AMGI SRC SASA, Ljubljana, 7. 12. 2012.
- Space, place and identity in the areas of mass population replacement through the prism of folklore and toponyms (March 1, 2026 - February 28, 2029)
- (Hidden) Industrial Champions: Origins, Features and Futures of Industrial Small Towns (international research project • February 1, 2025 - January 31, 2028)
- Improving the position of Women in the labour markets of peripheral INdustrial regions (applied research project • January 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026)
- Bronze Tablet of the Association of the Geographical Societies of Slovenia, 2022
- Department of Geography student Award for the graduation thesis, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, 2003
- Head of the Geographical Museum
- Administrator of the Geografski obzornik/Geographic Horizon (2004–)
- Member of the Geografski obzornik/Geographic Horizon Editorial board (2004–)
- Member of the Geografski obzornik/Geographic Horizon Editorial board (2004–)
- Member of the Geografija Slovenije / Geography of Slovenia Editorial board
- Member of the Georitem Editorial board
- Member of Ljubljana Geographical Society