Idrija

Town of natural science and technology

The oldest mining town in Slovenia developed in a basin at the confluence of the Idrija River and the torrential Nikova stream and spread into the picturesque hills at the junction of the subalpine and karst worlds. The documentation of Idrija’s history began at the end of the 15th century when the mysterious and glittering liquid metal mercury was discovered.

The ore attracted Friulian and German-speaking miners who penetrated deeper and deeper opening new shafts, and life on the surface grew with the mine. 

In the second half of the 18th century when the mine reached its greatest peak, Idrija had the best-organized health care service in Slovenia. The roots of technical education began here as mining techniques, metallurgy, geology, chemistry, biology, and other branches of science developed.

Parallel with mining, the skills of lace making developed, and along with the historical legacy of the mine, which closes after 500 years of operation, Idrija bobbin lace gives a special authenticity to this part of Slovenia.

 

 

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