Gewerkenegg Castle

Gewerkenegg Castle stands on a rise at the centre of Idrija, a mining town in a narrow valley in western Slovenia. It was built in the early sixteenth century as the administrative headquarters of the Idrija mercury mine, which was for several centuries one of the most important in the world, second only to Almadén in Spain. The name is German, from Gewerke, the term for the owners and shareholders of a mine, and it shows how closely the castle was tied to the business of quicksilver and to the Habsburg administration that controlled it.

Mercury was discovered in Idrija at the end of the fifteenth century, and the metal was in demand for refining gold and silver, for medicine, for mirrors and later for industry. The mine operated for more than five hundred years, and the town grew around it, with miners, engineers, officials and craftspeople. The castle held the offices, stores and the mining authorities, and it was strongly built, with thick walls, corner towers and an inner courtyard, to protect the output of the mine, which was valuable and carefully guarded. The mine and the town's mercury heritage are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, together with the mine at Almadén.

Today the building houses the Idrija Municipal Museum, and its rooms cover the story of the mine, the town and its people. Displays show the tools and clothing of the miners, models of the shafts, mercury samples, and the techniques used to extract and process the metal, as well as the social history of a community that depended on a dangerous trade. A separate section is dedicated to Idrija lace, the delicate bobbin lace that women in the town made as a way to supplement family income and that is now a recognised craft with its own lace school and a yearly festival. Examples range from simple edging to elaborate pieces.

The castle is a good place to start a visit to the town. From its courtyard and upper floors there are views over the roofs and the hills, and from here it is easy to continue to the other sights nearby: the Anthony Mine Shaft, which allows visitors to go underground, the Water Pump of Idrija known as the kamšt, a huge wooden wheel, the old school, the geopark visitors' centre, and the Wild Lake, a deep karst spring. Guided tours explain the exhibits and help to link them with the places outside.

The castle suits history lovers, families, those interested in industrial heritage and craft, and anyone exploring the Idrija and Cerkno hills. Allow a couple of hours for the museum. Opening times and ticket prices change with the season, so check current details locally before travelling.