Idrija – stories written by miners and lacemakers

Idrija offers completely different stories and experiences. The town, caught in a hilly landscape of pre-Alpine Slovenia full of woods, in the Idrijca river valley, was, due to its 500-year richness in mercury, known at home and on the world stage; nowadays, it offers attractive views of past centuries. By bicycle or on foot you can enjoy the excellent cuisine and discover the attractive stories of the miners and lacemakers, away from the hustle and bustle and in a unique manner.

Idrija became an EDEN destination in 2011; that year, winning destinations were singled out for playing a key role in reviving their region and bringing sustainable development and new life to run-down cultural, historical and natural sites. In 2011, Idrija also became an Alpine town; furthermore, in June 2012, together with the Spanish town of Almaden, it was ranked on the list of world cultural and natural heritage under the auspices of Unesco.

And what is the story of Idrija? According to legend, a local was gathering water with a bucket in the stream; when he tried to pull it up, he could barely move it. He had caught a bucket full of mercury. Only a couple of years after the discovery, mercury was being excavated and a town was born on the surface. The Idrija Mine was ranked among the most prominent Central European corporations for several centuries, and it played a significant role in international economic relations. After 500 years of operating, the mine is now closed; however, its heritage can still be seen.

The Antonijev rov tourist mine shows the work of the miners, while numerous monuments of technical and cultural heritage present the creativity of the former days, such as kamšt, Francisca`s pit, klavže on Idrijca, the Belca and Kanomljica rivers, the Raka water channel, etc.

Idrija was also strongly characterized by laces. Snow-white laces are a feature of Idrija known all around the world. The stories of miners and lacemakers can be seen in the exhibition area of the Idrija town museum in the Gewerkenegg castle, Lacemaking school Idrija and in the International Centre of the Idrija lace.


We have gathered some tips for an active vacation:

- The Idrija tourist-information centre will gladly present to you the possibilities for cycling and hiking discoveries of the area. Each of the cycling and hiking trails includes numerous interesting sights of natural and cultural heritage. You can select your own custom-made trip.
- If you are heading towards Idrija in warm weather, it is worth visiting the popular natural bathing complex Idrijska Bela, at the confluence of the rivers Idrijca and Belca, 7 km from the exit from the main road Ljubljana-Idrija along the upper part of Idrijca river.
- You can also head for a one-day nature discovery of Idrija and its surroundings. The trip begins with a visit to the famous Divje jezero and its mysteries. Afterwards, you will visit the Antonijev rov (tourist mine) and enjoy a short visit to the city centre; in the afternoon, you can visit the surroundings of Idrija including the Vojskar plateau, where you can see the Smrekova draga frost hollow and Paradana ice storage cave.
- If you prefer cultural discoveries, you can start the day by visiting the museum collection in the Gewerkenegg castle and thematic guidance in the town, including a presentation of lacemaking and visiting a `miner`s` house; following a typical Idrija lunch you can also visit Spodnja Idrija.
- You must definitely try the local specialty Idrija flour dumplings (Idrijski žlikrofi)!
- You may choose between smaller accommodation facilities; a pearl among them is definitely the Hotel Kendov dvorec, countryside manor with its origins going back as far as 1377. It has been entirely renovated, but it retains its old tradition. Kenda’s cuisine strives for exactly the same.


To see the promotional film about Idrija (STORIES OF PAST CENTURIES), click here.

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