Hotels in Idrija – Mining History and Nature

Idrija combines an exceptionally tangible mining history with a tradition of handicrafts, regional cuisine and landscapes along the water. The historic entrance, Anthony's Main Road, is the oldest preserved entrance to a mine in Europe and was created in 1500. On a guided tour, visitors explore underground tunnels with cinnabar ore and sparkling droplets of mercury; the tour also includes a unique underground chapel.

Culture and History

The Hg smelting plant houses the world's largest rotary kiln for mercury extraction. Experiments, animations, videos and mercury-related equipment explain the significance and applications of mercury there. Together with the mining sites of Almadén, the mining sites of Idrija form a unique shared testimony to mercury mining.

Idrija Kamšt has Europe's largest wooden drive wheel, with a diameter of 13.6 m. Gewerkenegg Castle was built in the 16th century for defence, mine administration and the storage of mercury. Today, it houses the Idrija Municipal Museum.

The Church of Saint Anthony in Idrija dates from 1678. Another church stands at the site where, according to legend, a cooper discovered mercury in 1490. The original wooden church was built in 1500 and later rebuilt in stone. Joannes Antonius Scopoli, the first mine doctor in Idrija, worked in this building from 1754 to 1769. The renovated crypt features a gallery and a memorial chapel.

Crafts and Flavours

The Idrija Lace School has operated continuously since its foundation in 1876. Visitors can try bobbin lace-making there; the school also presents an exhibition of timeless masterpieces of bobbin-lace art. The tradition is also celebrated in its own festival: the Idrija Lace Festival is a traditional festival dedicated to Idrija lace.

The regional cuisine includes Idrija žlikrofi, which carry national and European designations as a “guaranteed traditional speciality”. In a workshop, participants learn how to prepare filled dumplings and then taste them with traditional or modern sauces.

Nature

Wild Lake is protected as a natural monument and has operated as Slovenia's first open-air museum since it opened to visitors in 1972. A nearly flat walking path along the historic Rake water canal leads from Idrija to Wild Lake. The Zgornja Idrijca Landscape Park also begins on the outskirts of Idrija. On the Idrijca River, Lajšt offers opportunities for swimming, relaxing and picnicking.

Paths and Traces

A hiking trail now runs along part of the former Feldban railway route. Numerous remnants of the former railway are visible along this trail. The Idrija–Godovič Feldban is considered an important site of remembrance of military history and an integral part of Idrija's cultural landscape. The Feldban trail leads to a 25 m-long tunnel.

Further destinations: Bukovo, Vojsko, Črni Vrh, Lome, Cerkno, Srednja Kanomlja, Zakriž.

To the main travel overview: Idrija.