About destination | Idrija, Slovenia

The half-a-millennium-long history of Idrija began with the discovery of a rare and valuable liquid metal: mercury. The exciting discovery draw many miners into the valley that soon saw the development of a lively mining settlement, topped with a mining castle Gewerkenegg since 1533. With the discovery of the amalgamation procedure accompanying the discovery of South American silver and gold mines, mercury gained recognition and the Idrija mine soon became the second largest producer of this sole liquid metal in the world, while abroad it was renowned for its excellent technical equipment.

With the mine on the rise, 18th century saw Idrija develop into the second largest town in the Kranjska region, welcoming numerous workers from many lands. Some of the most renowned members of home and European Enlightenment emphasized its cosmopolitan character. The technical domain was proud of polymath and klavže constructor Jožef Mrak, while Idrija was put on the international map by the famous natural scientists Giovanni Antonio Scopoli, a Tirolian doctor, and Balthasar Hacquet, a surgeon of Breton descent.

In the 17th century, the miners’ wives began practicing the craft of bobbin lacemaking; the beauty and delicateness of their lace were held in high regard especially in the higher class. The most famous lacemaker was Ivanka Ferjančič, an excellent local lacemaker and the first teacher in Idrija Lace School.

The destination Idrija is a proud member of the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism, and a holder of the Slovenia Green Destination Silver label.  More >>