**Idrija Lace, A History Written in Thread

Idrija Municipal Museum permanent exhibition, Gewerkenegg Castle, Prelovčeva 9
1 October–30 April: 9 AM to 5 PM
1 May–30 September: 9 AM to 7 PM

Idrija is a well-known lace-making centre, both at home and abroad. The exhibition follows the story of handmade Idrija lace together with the stories of its makers – the lacemakers who were selling the lace for centuries to improve the budgets of the miners’ families. In the past, the Idrija mercury travelled to the world and so did the Idrija lace. Only a few pieces of lace have remained at home. The most beautiful ones have been put on exhibition to take us from the past to the present, when the Idrija lace is acquiring an important place in the fashion shows of renowned Slovenian fashion designers. A special place is dedicated to the tablecloth for twelve people made for Jovanka Broz by Idrija’s 20 most skilled lacemakers: one of the largest protocol gifts made of lace. It is the largest preserved Slovenian lace product from the 1970s.

Text: Mirjam Gnezda Bogataj, MPhil, Idrija Municipal Museum Curator

Photo: Jovanka’s tablecloth; Idrija Municipal Museum photo archive, photo: Bojan Tavčar