Mestni muzej Idrija

About the museum

Gewerkenegg Castle, whose German name simply means mining castle, was built at the beginning of the 16th century by a group of private mine owners, who needed it for defence, for storing mercury and food, and for housing the mine management. In 1575 the territorial prince bought up all the mining shares, and the castle passed into state ownership. The last thorough renovations took place between 1988 and 2017. The castle is a monument of national importance and an integral part of the Idrija technical heritage inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Since 1954 the Mestni muzej Idrija (Idrija Town Museum) has been housed in the castle; the municipality founded it in 1953 to preserve the mining heritage. The central exhibition space of almost 2,000 m² presents four exhibitions: Five Centuries of the Idrija Mercury Mine and Town, the interactive exhibition Following Mercury’s Trail: Idrija – Almadén, the permanent exhibition Milestones of the 20th Century, and the exhibition Idrija Lace – A History Woven with Thread. The memorial room of the writer France Bevk can also be visited, and the castle’s lapidarium presents stories in stone.

The museum also manages several other sites: Idrijski kamšt, Idrijska rudarska hiša, the technical department in Frančiškov jašek, the Cerkljanski muzej, Partizanska bolnica Franja, Partizanska tiskarna Slovenija and the Domačija pisatelja Franceta Bevka.

Highlights

• 16th-century mining castle with arcaded courtyard and Baroque wall paintings
• Exhibition Five Centuries of the Idrija Mercury Mine and Town
• Interactive exhibition Following Mercury’s Trail: Idrija – Almadén
• Idrija lace – a history woven with thread
• Memorial room of the writer France Bevk

Permanent exhibitions

• Pet stoletij rudnika živega srebra in mesta Idrije – The exhibition shows the five-century development of the mine and the growth of the town alongside it, the geological past, technological processes and the everyday life of the miners.
• Po sledi Merkurja: Idrija – Almadén – The interactive exhibition presents the significance of mercury for world history and the fate of the mines in Idrija and Almadén.
• Idrijska čipka, z nitjo pisana zgodovina – The exhibition presents more than 300 years of the tradition of bobbin lace in Idrija, from the lacemakers to the lace school.

Founded

1953

Operated by

Mestni muzej Idrija

Admission & discounts

Pre-school children enter free. The family ticket is valid for one or two adults and all children up to 18 years. Price list valid from 1 March 2026. Museum pass: visit all facilities of the Mestni muzej Idrija of your choice for €17 (adults), €16 (pensioners), €10 (school pupils and students), family ticket €40; the ticket is valid for 3 days from purchase. Special offer for two facilities of your choice: €14, €12 or €7, family ticket €35.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Steps lead up to the castle from the front; the road continues to the rear entrance, where there are a few car parking spaces for cars.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers programmes for families and schools (e.g. Mercury’s Laboratory, Life at the Castle) as well as a family ticket.

Getting there & parking

The castle stands on a hill above the town, about 5 minutes’ walk from the central square. From the bus station it is about 10 minutes’ walk to the castle.

Amenities & dining

Tickets can be bought at the reception; after the visit, lacemaking can be tried out.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit