On the last Sunday in August 2017, the members of the LAZ association set out to discover the cultural and natural heritage of the Idrija Hills. We visited the lacemaking school, descended into the underground of the Idrija mine and climbed into the steep ravines of the Idrijski hribovje.
The day after the culinary traditional event, which has been organized in Idrija for many years, the members of the LAZ association went on a professional excursion. Despite the fact that it was a lively night in Idrija, it was not detectable during our morning visit.
Beautiful lace products
The arrangement of the more than 500-year-old city, it impressed us from the very first contact with it. We entered the lacemaking school, which operates in the old building of the folk school. In it, they take care of preserving many bobbing techniques and elements. 460 children from Idrija and the surrounding area are enrolled in the 2017 / 2018 school year. Children who are at least six years old are admitted to the lacemaking school. Many laces are a real masterful product. During our visit, we learned the basics of bobbing.
After a short walk through the old part of Idrija, the path led us to a building that leads to Antonije’s tunnel. Idrija is the oldest mining town in Slovenia. They boast the second largest mercury mine in the world with as many as 700 kilometers of tunnels. Entering the underground was a real adventure. The miner who took us 100 meters deep underground worked so convincingly that we felt safe. During the tour, he confided in us many stories and anecdotes that the people of Idrij have been nurturing and passing from generation to generation for centuries.
Members of the LAZ Society in the role of miners
In the afternoon, we went to the Idrija steep ravines, which are located in the Kanomlje valley, which is the most pronounced cut in the earth’s crust next to the Idrija fault. The friendly hosts of the Kanomlja Tourist and Cultural Association took us on a tour of the mineral and fossil collection, which was designed by former Idrija miner Janez Klemenčič. The collection includes over 1,000 examples of minerals, ores, fossils and rocks. We looked at the glittering rocks with enthusiasm.
However, we were far from the end of getting to know the cultural and natural heritage of the Idrija ravines. We went on foot to the shepherds’ – French claves, which were built for the purpose of harvesting wood during the time of the Illyrian provinces. The aforementioned claves made it possible to float 1,000 to 1,500 cubic meters of firewood and cave wood for the needs of the Idrija mine. We were surprised by the information that the mentioned amount of material traveled entirely to Spodnja Idrija, 8 kilometers away, with the force of water in 20 minutes.
Lecture on slaughter
To conclude, the members of the association invited us to the Šturmance homestead, where they entertained us. Thanks to the current owners of Milka and Julijana Petrič, the interior of the house, including the black kitchen, largely retained its authentic appearance from the first half of the 20th century. The Kanomlja Tourist Association strives to revive the homestead with cultural, educational, museum and tourist events.
In the late afternoon, we headed home satisfied.