Idrija has also officially joined the European EDEN network

The Slovenian destination of Idrija officially received the title of European Destination of Excellence at a celebration in Brussels on World Tourism Day; the following day, at a meeting of the representatives of the EDEN network, Idrija joined the EDEN network, by signing the Brussels Declaration, as the fourth Slovenian destination of excellence. A promotional brochure was issued for this purpose, which presents a winning story – a tourist product called `Razgledi po stoletjih preteklosti`.

The town of Idrija, with the once second largest mercury mine in the world surprises us with an extraordinary technical heritage: water channels (`rake`), a huge wooden water wheel (`kamšt`), the largest preserved steam engine in Europe (Kley`s pump) and the possibility of visiting the `Antonijev rov` (pit) – the oldest part of the mine, open for visitors. It contains the memorabilia of 500-years of mining, while it is still possible to see the playful cave dwarf! Special views of mining are also provided in the nearby mining house from the 18th Century and the Holy Trinity church – the oldest church in Idrija, located on the spot where, according to a legend, mercury was initially discovered.

Above the town, one can admire the Gewerkenegg castle with the city museum of Idrija, which contains, besides the mining heritage, geological valuables of the area as well as samples of the famous Idrija lace. This special method of lacing is preserved at the Idrija Lace School, while the grandeur of this tradition can be admired at the annual Festival of Idrija Lace.

The promotional brochure is available here. More information about Idrija and the entire Slovenian network of EDEN destinations (including the first three winners) can be found here.

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