Beyond Ljubljana · Beyond Ljubljana
Idrija
UNESCO Heritage of Mercury
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Jani Peternelj · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Idrija
Idrija, in the green hills west of Ljubljana, grew around one of the world’s great mercury mines. In 2012 UNESCO inscribed it on the World Heritage List together with Almadén in Spain as the Heritage of Mercury, and the area is also a UNESCO Global Geopark. You can go underground in the old mine, see the town’s castle museum, and admire Idrija lace, the bobbin lace that made the town famous. Do not leave without eating Idrija žlikrofi, small filled dumplings. Our advice: a full day out by car; see our Arts & Culture page for Idrija lace in Ljubljana.
Why it's on our list
- UNESCO World Heritage: the Heritage of Mercury
- Tour the old mine
- Idrija lace and žlikrofi dumplings
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Idrija before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Idrija are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- Tivoli Park37 kmCar or taxi 114 min
- National Gallery of Slovenia37 kmCar or taxi 115 min
- Congress Square38 kmCar or taxi 116 min
- Triple Bridge38 kmCar or taxi 116 min
- Prešeren Square38 kmCar or taxi 116 min
- St Nicholas Cathedral38 kmCar or taxi 117 min
- Central Market38 kmCar or taxi 117 min
- Ljubljana Castle38 kmCar or taxi 117 min
- Dragon Bridge38 kmCar or taxi 117 min
- Metelkova Mesto39 kmCar or taxi 119 min
Getting around
- Railway & bus station38 kmCar or taxi 118 min