Difference between revisions of "Idrija Mine Museum"

Revision as of 19:40, 14 June 2012

For centuries Idrija with its mercury mine was considered to be the centre of scientific and technological progress in the region. History of mining in Idrija dates back to year 1490. By burning cinnabar ore, the mercury miners of Idrija mined over 13 per cent of the world production of this ore. It was the second oldest and biggest mercury mine in the world that had closed in 1995 due to commercial, geological and ecological reasons. Only Almadén mercury mine in Spain is bigger and dates back to Roman times. Both towns were so famous that their names were used in North America for mining towns of New Idria and New Almadén. Until first world war Idrija Mercury Mine was one of the best technically equipped mine in Europe. Company is still nowadays in closing procedure, because it has to rehabilitate the consequences of 500 year mining, that is to secure the shafts and to monitor the poisoning of the environment.

Administration of the Idrija Mercury Mine was housed in Castle Gewerkenegg (16th century) which dominates the town, nowadays it houses Idrija Municipal Museum which is taking care for regions rich technical and culture heritage. Idrija Mine Museum which is still part of Mercury Mine Idrija company and Idrija Municipal Museum run tourist mining shafts, geological, technological and ethnological sites that are together with monuments in town (theatre, warehouse, city hall, old town square, secondary school, Gewerkenegg Castle, miners' houses, Water barriers - Klavže, etc.), nominated to become UNESCO world heritage protected site with name Idrija on the Mercury Route of the Intercontinental Camino Real

The development of the Mercury Route as part of the Intercontinental Camino Real was greatly influenced by the 1554 discovery of amalgamation in America. The process used mercury in acquiring silver and gold from ore and sparked a major increase in the demand for mercury (Idrija, Almadén). The metal was foremost exported to Mexico (San Luis Potosí) where it was used in silver mines. This discovery influenced the global development of manufacture, technology and trade in mercury as well as facilitated an intensive transfer of technological knowledge and changes in the global economy, social relations, science and culture.

Museum sites

Idrija mine ore deposit is unique. Quoting Russian scientist Vladimir Ivanovich Smirnov: I have seen many ore deposits in different parts of the world and some of them quite complex. But I openly admit that such a complex geological structure as in Idrija, I haven't yet seen. Without any doubt this is structurally one of the most complex endogenous ore deposits in the world. Mine Museum has rich geological collection with more than 800 different samples of ore and mineral from Idrija mercury ore deposit on display in Idrija Municipal Museum. While mine is now closed there are still some shafts which are maintained and turned into tourist museum shafts.

Highlight is Anthony's Main Road, the oldest part of the mine, today one of the oldest preserved mine entrances in Europe. The shaft was dug back in 1500, soon after mercury was first discovered. Named after Anthony of Padua, patron saint of miners, protector from mine accidents. The museum tour is 1,300 metres long in an authentically preserved mine. Guiding starts in Šelstev house from 18th century where miners used to get equipment early in the morning before entering the mine. Here visitors first see multivision show in the former call-in room, than professional guides take visitors through shafts and illuminated galleries with life-size mannequins which illustrate the various mining jobs, to the unique underground Chapel of the Holy Trinity, dating from the mid 18th century, the time of the greatest prosperity for the Idrija mine. Shaft was opened for public in year 1994. On entrance visitors get raincoats and are greeted with in Slovenian language SREČNO, (good luck), that gets true meaning when entering the shaft.

Francis's Shaft was sinked in year 1792, it is named after Roman-German Emperor Franz Joseph the Second (1792 -1806). It is big transport shaft with only preserved huge exporting machine Siemens - Stuckert, still in operating condition. Francis's Shaft has largest preserved steam piston machine in Slovenia and probably in Europe. This Kley's water pump was made in 1893 in Škoda - Pilsen Factory and was operating until 1948. Francis's Shaft is administered by Idrija Municipal Museum as department for technical heritage.

Joseph Shaft sinked in 1786, is 420 meters deep and connects all 15 levels of the mine. It was closed in year 2007,it consists of tower, exporting machine with big driving mechanisms, loading station of transport cable, blacksmith workshop, and dressing rooms for miners. It is now closed for public.

Ore Foundry of the Idrija Mercury Mine. Smelting of the ore was developed for 500 years from simple charcoal heap to rotating furnaces nowadays. It was part of Mine that was still operating until 1995. Čermak - Špirekova furnace, technical heritage made from 1873 to 1886 operated until 1974. Foundry consists of transport cable, separation area, transport belt, reservoir, smoke chamber with special chimney pipes. The plan is to revitalize this part of the Idrija Mercury Mine.

Whole Idrijsko region is in process of become Geopark, region with unique natural features, where local community is protecting nature, culture, geological culture and is taking care for sustainable development of countryside. Idrija Mine Museum experts completed a geological survey of the region which parts to protect.

External links

@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 * [http://www.rzs-idrija.si/ Mercury Mine Idrija website] (in Slovenian)
 * [http://www.muzej-idrija-cerkno.si Idrija Municipal Museum website]
-* [http://www.rzs-idrija.si/ Mercury Mine Idrija]
+* [http://www.idrija-turizem.si/en/1.nivo/heritage-of-city-idrija.html Idrija Heritage]
-* [http://www.idrija-turizem.si/en/content/view/34/111/ Idrija Heritage]
 * [http://www.rzs-idrija.si/pot.htm Anthony Shaft]
 * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almad%C3%A9n Almadén]

Difference between revisions of "Idrija Mine Museum"

Revision as of 19:40, 14 June 2012

Museum sites

See also

External links

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