Idrija: Mining History, Lacemaking and Nature

Idrija brings together the history of mercury mining, lacemaking and distinctive natural sites. When planning your trip, you can choose from different themes: underground mining and technical installations, a long-established craft, or walks to Wild Lake. This allows you to discover Idrija through its cultural sites, lacemaking school or landscape.

Mining heritage: tunnels, smelting works and museum

Anthony’s Main Road is the oldest preserved entrance to a mine in Europe; it was built in 1500. On a guided tour, visitors explore underground tunnels containing cinnabar ore and glittering droplets of mercury. The route also includes a unique underground chapel. At Anthony’s Main Road, the focus is on underground mining.

The Hg Smelting Plant presents another side of mining: it houses the world’s largest rotary kiln for mercury extraction. Experiments, animations, videos and mercury-related equipment explain the metal’s importance and uses. The Idrija Kamšt, meanwhile, has Europe’s largest wooden waterwheel, with a diameter of 13.6 metres. Together, the tunnels, smelting works and waterwheel offer insights into underground work, mercury extraction and technology.

Gewerkenegg Castle was built in the 16th century for defence, mine administration and mercury storage. Today, it houses the Idrija Town Museum. Another historical landmark is the Church of St Anthony in Idrija, which dates from 1678. The significance of the mining heritage extends beyond the town: the mining sites of Almadén and Idrija together form a unique testament to mercury mining.

Lacemaking and the Lace Festival

The Idrija Lace School has operated continuously since its founding in 1876. Visitors can try lacemaking there, and the school also features an exhibition of timeless masterpieces of lace. You can encounter the craft not only as an exhibit, but also try it yourself.

The Idrija Lace Festival is also devoted to Idrija lace and is a traditional festival. The school and the festival offer different ways to explore the subject: the school focuses on hands-on experience and the exhibition, while the festival is an event dedicated to lace. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the event dates.

Wild Lake and paths into the landscape

Wild Lake is protected as a natural monument. Since opening to visitors in 1972, it has been operated as Slovenia’s first open-air museum. From Idrija, an almost flat walking path follows the historic Rake water channel to the lake. Check current path conditions before setting out.

The Zgornja Idrijca Landscape Park begins on the outskirts of Idrija. At the Idrijca River, Lajšt offers opportunities for swimming, relaxing and picnicking. This adds a focus on nature and recreation to a visit to the mining sites and museums.

Feldban Trail and railway traces

A hiking trail now runs along part of the former Feldban railway line, where numerous remnants of the railway can be seen. The Feldban Trail leads to a 25-metre-long tunnel. The Feldban Idrija–Godovič is also considered an important military-history memorial site and an integral part of Idrija’s cultural landscape. This trail brings together hiking and visible traces of the former railway.

A regional speciality

Idrija žlikrofi carry national and European designations as a “guaranteed traditional speciality”. If you are interested in local food culture as well as mining history and lacemaking, this speciality offers another tangible connection to Idrija.

When choosing your focus, the difference between the mine and nature is clear: on a guided tour of Anthony’s Main Road, you explore underground tunnels; an almost flat walking path along the Rake leads to Wild Lake. This lets you weigh up a guided mining experience against a walk to a protected natural monument.

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Go to the main travel overview: Idrija.