AROUND IDRIJA AND CERKLJANSKO

Idrija is a town located at the crossroads of Dinaric and Pre-Alpine Slovenia, in the heart of the Idrija hills. The mercury mine brought a diverse population to Idrija, and this enabled the development of a unique cultural heritage that put Idrija on the UNESCO map. Not only the legacy of the mercury mine is interesting, but also the tradition of making lace and cuisine, rounded off with Idrija žlikrofii, traditional Slovenian dumplings.

We will make the first short stop at Wilde Lake, then we will drive to Idrija. The city is known for its lace and mercury mine. We will walk around the city and visit the Gewerkenegg Castle, and the museum collection of five centuries of the mercury mine and the Idrija lace collection. Among the largest and one of the most beautifully preserved laces is the “Jovanka tablecloth”, a protocol tablecloth for 12 people, intended for the wife of the then President Tito.

Followed by (or the possibility of visiting: Anthony’s Shaft in the Idrija mercury mine. In front of the entrance to the shaft we will dress in a miner’s suit and protect ourselves with a helmet. Before descending into the mine we will watch a multivision presentation – additional payment 13 euros per person!)

Instead of Gewerkenegg Castle, it is also possible: after the tour we will drive to the town of Cerkno, where we will visit the Franja Partisan Hospital. On the way home we will stop at one of the tourist farms.