Home FIND VENUE Special Venues: Idrija Mercury Mine

Special Venues: Idrija Mercury Mine

A UNESCO-listed mercury mine for events

May 4, 2026

500 YEARS OF MINING HERITAGE

Antonijev rov in Idrija forms an important part of the Idrija Mercury Mine and is the oldest preserved mine entrance in Europe. The mine operated for more than 500 years, from 1500 until 1995, and its rich heritage significantly shaped the history of Idrija and the wider region. Today, Antonijev rov forms part of the Heritage of Mercury: Almadén and Idrija World Heritage Site together with the Spanish mine at Almadén Mercury Mine.

Antonijev rov takes its name from Saint Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of miners. Event organisers can take their groups into the underground world of Idrija, where experienced guides share insights into the history, technology and legends of mercury mining. Group sizes are limited to a maximum of twenty participants, as the museum seeks to preserve the mine in good condition. Events can be hosted in the presentation hall located at the entrance to the mine, or organisers may choose to surprise participants with a unique experience underground.

In the footsteps of the Perkmandeljc

Exhibitions related to mining, the history of Idrija, and the geological and mineral features of the mine are frequently hosted at Antonijev rov. Visitors can also learn about the perkmandeljc, a mischievous mining sprite said to have caused trouble for miners during their work underground. One of the best-known events in Idrija is the Mercury Festival, which celebrates the town’s mining heritage through presentations of traditional miners’ dishes, stories from the past and themed exhibitions.

Alongside mining, Idrija is also world-renowned for Idrija lace. Event organisers can therefore highlight both lace-making and mining heritage within a single programme. At the end of an event, the most adventurous visitors may even sample Geruš, a traditional local bitter with a high alcohol content, once prepared by miners by mixing wormwood tea with pure alcohol. The drink was believed to ease the effects of mercury exposure on the body and to help prevent mercurialism.

Antonijev rov is today an important cultural and tourist attraction that preserves the memory of more than five centuries of mercury mining in Idrija. In addition to historical guided tours, it also frequently serves as a venue for a variety of cultural and educational events that further enrich the visitor experience.