Rojstna hiša Alojza in Engelberta Gangla
V hiši v metliškem mestnem jedru neposredno ob cerkvi Sv. Nikolaja sta se rodila kipar Alojz Gangl (1859-1935) in njegov nečak, književnik in sokolski starosta Engelbert Gangl (1875-1950).
Alojz Gangl, kipar, se je šolal na dunajski akademiji in vrsto let deloval v Ljubljani, na Dunaju in v Pragi. V njegovih delih se kažejo prve modernistične spremembe v slovenskem kiparstvu, ki je bilo do takrat vezano na neambiciozno poznobaročno tradicijo. Velja za avtorja prvega slovenskega nacionalnega javnega spomenika, postavljenega v čast pesniku Valentinu Vodniku, in skulptur na pročelju ljubljanske Opere. Njegovo prvo javno delo se nahaja pri Treh farah, njegovo zadnje delo pa je kip Osameli popotnik, ki ga je daroval Metliki in se nahaja na pokopališči pri sv. Roku.
Engelbert Gangl je bil pesnik, pisatelj in prosvetni delavec. Uveljavil se je tudi kot mladinski pisatelj, bil je ustanovitelj Zvončka, mladinskega lista, prav tako pa je bil tudi urednik Učiteljskega tovariša. Gangl je bil aktivni član Sokolskih društev, od leta 1918 je bil v vodstvih tako slovenske kot jugoslovanske sokolske zveze. Leta 1908 je bil izvoljen za deželnega poslanca in sodeloval je pri učiteljskih gospodarskih organizacijah.
Ena zadnjih Ganglovih pesmi, Metliška koračnica, je posvečena Beli krajini in Metliki.
The Birth House of Alojz and Engelbert Gangl
This old-town-core house in the immediate vicinity of the Church of St. Nicholas was the birthplace of sculptor Alojz Gangl (1859-1935) and his nephew, writer and a Sokol movement elder Engelbert Gangl (1875-1950).
Alojz Gangl, the sculptor, was educated at the Vienna academy and later created in Ljubljana, Vienna, and Prague. His works reflect the first modernist leanings of the Slovenian sculpture that was up until then tied to the unambitious late-baroque tradition. Gangl is known as the author of the first Slovenian public monument erected in honour of the poet Valentin Vodnik, and the author of the statutes that adorn the façade of the Ljubljana Opera House. His first public work of art is situated at the Tri Fare church complex in the Rosalnice village. He donated his last work – the statue “Christ – the Lonesome Wanderer” – to Metlika. You can see it at the Metlika cemetery near the Church of St. Roch.
Engelbert Gangl was a poet, a writer, and an educator. He established himself as a children’s writer, he was the co-founder of Zvonček (Little Bell) – a children’s publication, and an editor of a publication for teachers “Učiteljski tovariš” (A Teachers’ Companion). He was an active member of the Sokol movement societies and was in leading positions of the Slovenian and Yugoslav Sokol movement since 1918. He was elected as a Landtag representative In 1908 and was a member of various teaching and economic organizations.
One of his last poems, “The Metlika March”, is dedicated to Bela Krajina and Metlika in particular.