Vodmat developed from an old farming village that already existed in the Middle Ages. After the 1895 Ljubljana earthquake, Vodmat started being built up with single-story housing for workers and civil servants. Agriculture was abandoned in Vodmat by the early 20th century due to urbanization. The part of Vodmat lying west of the railroad to Lower Carniola was annexed by the City of Ljubljana in 1896. This was then known as "Stari Vodmat" 'old Vodmat', distinguishing it from "Novi Vodmat" 'new Vodmat' east of the railroad and outside the city limits. The remainder of Vodmat was annexed by the City of Ljubljana in 1935, ending its existence as an independent settlement.