OF MERCURY AND LACE

Friday, 2 August 2010

  

Idrija is situated in the Goriška region of Slovenia. The town is known for its mercury mine (currently in the process of closure) and lace. Natural mercury was discovered there around the year 1490 but mining of cinnabar ore dates into the early 1500. A lot of people moved there to become miners. Many became woodcutters since mining required a lot of wood supports. An imposing castle was built in 1527 to store mercury and food- in winters Idrija was not accessible due to poor roads and heavy snow. The mine was owned by the Habsburgs from the17. cent. until 1918. Afterwards, its fortune declined due to poor management of the Italian masters. The last modernization was under Yugoslavia, but in the 80. the value of mercury declined worldwide and that was the end of the mine. It closed for good in 1994. During the process of closing it was decided to save the most interesting part of the mine as a museum of the half a millennium of mercury mining in Idrija. It is called ‘Anthony’s shaft’. It dates in 1500 and was used as the access to the deeper reaches of the mine.

  

After an interesting multivision presentation we don miner’s green overalls and descend 116 steps into the mine under a guidance of a local expert. We visit an 18.cent. chapel and learn about the life, work and hardships of the miners. We can also see drops of mercury oozing from the ore. When we return to daylight, we visit another interesting place. It is the lace-making museum. Lace can be sown, crochet or bobbin. The tread can be of cotton or flax. Bobbin lace was mentioned here in 1696. It became a veritable industry in the 19.cent. Idrija lace was exported all over Europe as well as America. In 1876 a school was established to teach girls and women various techniques of lace-making. The visit to Idrija would not be complete without tasting a local culinary specialty called ‘žlikrofi’. It takes a lot of time to make and consists of potatoes, minced lard of bacon, herbs, spices and onions. Served with mutton, beef or pork gravy the meal used to be a typical Sunday family fare. So we choose a local ‘gostilna’ and try it as well. Then it is time to return to the hotel.

Departure: 8.30 AM

Arrival: 3.00 PM

PRICE: 45 €

It includes:

* Transport wit a modern, fully A/C bus

* services of a professional tour director/ guide throughout.

* guided tour of Anthony’s shaft

* guided tour of lace museum

* traditional ‘žlikrofi’ plate with one drink of your choice(a glass of wine, beer or non-alcoholic beverage.)

* taxes and basic insurance