Discover the fascinating world of mercury mining in the unique Antonijev rov, part of the Idrija mine listed as a UNESCO site.
Antonijev rov is the oldest and most famous entrance shaft of the Idrija mercury mine, which has a history spanning over 500 years. It was here that mercury was mined from the 15th century, making Idrija famous worldwide. Today, the entire complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important technical monuments in Slovenia.
During the tour, you will descend into the mountain, walk through illuminated tunnels, and see the unique underground chapel of St. Anne. The biggest attraction is the giant wooden water wheel – the largest of its kind in Europe – which was used to pump water out of the mine. You will learn about the hard work of miners, ore processing, and the importance of mercury in alchemy and industry.
Tours are guided; it is necessary to dress warmly (constant temperature underground is around 10 °C), and we recommend booking in advance, especially during the summer season. For Czech tourists, Idrija is easily accessible from Ljubljana and offers other attractions such as Idrija lace and Gewerkenegg Castle.
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GPS: 46.0000, 14.0231
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Foto: No machine-readable author provided. Žiga assumed (based on copyright claims). · Public domain
