Gewerkenegg Castle, Idrija, Slovenia

Gewerkenegg Castle dominates the Idrija city. It was erected at the beginning of the 16th century to serve as the administrative headquarters and warehouse of the Idrija mine, then the second largest mercury mine in the world. The now beautifully restored Renaissance complex experienced a Baroque renovation in the middle of the 18th century when the inner arcaded courtyard was created and painted with attractive decorative frescoes.

The castle now houses the Idrija Museum, whose central exhibit-Five Centuries of Mercury Mining and the Town of Idrija-offers a survey of the half-millennium history of the oldest mining town in Slovenia. It also offers an exhibit of Idrija lace, a replica of a room in an Idrija miner's home, peasant frescoes, memorial rooms of the writer France Bevk and the politician Aleš Bebler, and a collection of paintings donated by the gallery owner Valentina Orsini Mazza. The castle also provides rooms and a concert hall for the Idrija Music School. Throughout the year, the museum organizes various events, presentations, and receptions in the castle hall. The Museum Evenings lecture series is especially popular. In summer, the Castle Evenings program of cultural events, mostly concerts, moves into the castle courtyard.

References:

slovenia.info

Castles and fortifications in Slovenia

Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.

Dennis Zammit (2 years ago)
The castle is in good condition very clean and well kept. No medievel appearance but clean white painted walls. Had a good exhibition of laces mining and types a big nice variety of rocks

Stefano Cirelli (2 years ago)
The castle is a great location, the mine museum interesting, and the staff very friendly

Tilen Ademovič (3 years ago)
Nice castel and great history

Vlado Bošnjaković (3 years ago)
Nice little museum

Blaž Luin (3 years ago)
Magnificent castle. Nice museum...

Gewerkenegg Castle

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople