Idrijska kamšt
Preserved wooden water-powered pumping machine from 1790 with a 13.6 m drive wheel, part of the mining heritage of Idrija.
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About the museum
The kamšt, a name derived from the German word Wasserkunst, is a large water-powered pumping machine that once pumped water out of the Idrija mercury mine. It consists of a wooden drive wheel, wooden-and-steel horizontal and vertical rods, and piston pumps. Several kamšts once operated in Idrija; only the one by the Joseph Shaft (Jožefov jašek), built in 1790 and in operation until 1948, has survived.
The drive wheel has a diameter of 13.6 m and is said to be the largest wooden drive wheel in Europe. It was powered by the flow of the Idrijca from the 3.5 km long Rake water channel. From a depth of 283 m the machine pumped around 300 litres of water per minute.
The kamšt can be visited accompanied by a museum guide from the reception at Gewerkenegg Castle; the visit lasts about 45 minutes. For a clearer demonstration of how it works, the free “Skrivnostna kamšt” (The Mysterious Kamšt) app with augmented reality is available.
Highlights
- Drive wheel with a diameter of 13.6 m
- The only preserved Idrija kamšt, from 1790
- “Skrivnostna kamšt” app with augmented reality
- Operated by
- Mestni muzej Idrija
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4primary school pupils, secondary school pupils, students, pensioners |
| Children & teens | €4 |
| Seniors | €4 |
| Students & apprentices | €4 |
| Groups | €6 per personGroup with a guide: adults €6, reduced admission €4. |
| Families | €13 |
Pre-school children enter free. The family ticket is valid for one or two adults and all children up to the age of 18. The price list is valid from 1 March 2026. Museum Pass: admission to all facilities of the Idrija Town Museum of your choice for €17 (adults), €16 (pensioners), €10 (schoolchildren, secondary school pupils, students), family ticket €40; the ticket is valid for 3 days from purchase. A special offer for two facilities of your choice costs €14, €12 or €7, with a family ticket for €35.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Family ticket | €13 |
|---|
The family ticket is valid for one or two adults and children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Avtobusna postaja Idrija · 10-min walk
It is about a 5-minute walk from the reception at the castle to the kamšt, through the town centre and along the River Idrijca; the kamšt is about a 10-minute walk from the bus station.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visits are possible only accompanied by a museum guide; the starting point is the museum reception at Gewerkenegg Castle. A 30-minute programme is available for schools. |
