Slovenia is full of art history, together with unique traditional crafts. Among them, the Slovenian Idrija lace is famous for its rich history, spanning across the Balkan region. In the small town of Idrija, a proud tradition of bobbin lace gives insight into Slovenia’s past.
Idrijska čipka lace or Idrija bobbin lace is a beautiful traditional craft that has associations with the town’s mining history. The tradition of bobbin lace production is known all over Slovenia and is considered to be one of the most beautiful artisanal crafts, creating simple napkins to jewelry and even pieces of clothing.
If you’re visiting Slovenia, there are so many things to do in Idrija that revolves around Slovenian Idrija lace. It’s an entire culture in itself, and it’s a fascinating time as always. Here’s everything you need to know about the artistic and cultural heritage of Slovenian Idrija lace.
Understanding Čipkarstvo or Idrija Lace
The oldest source that testifies to the presence of lacemaking in the Idrija region dates from 1696. The term “čipkarstvo” is an all-encompassing term, which includes several types of laces. These laces can be sewn, crocheted, knitted, or knitted.
Much of the bobbin lace comes from Idrija, with their name “čipka” coming from specially designed wooden sticks on which cotton or linen thread is wound. Throughout history, the lace was initially made of coarse linen thread, intended primarily for the domestic market.
The original value of čipka lace was found in its use for decoration of churches and liturgical vestments. It was also used for furnishing the homes and garments of richer, more well-to-do locals.
Much of čipka lacemaking knowledge was mainly spread as a tradition, usually from mother to daughter. Gradually, Idrija’s patterns and work techniques gave Idrija lace a special place in Slovenian cultural heritage.
The History of Idrija Lace
The origins of Idrija lace are not exactly known. It is assumed, however, that the craft has a long history, going back more than 300 years. Many note that it was brought into Slovenia from German and Czech lands.
The tradition of Idrija lace was easily preserved and kept alive until today. When mothers teach young daughters the lace-making process and various typical patterns, it kept the craft alive.
Similar crafts have become very popular in other nearby towns such as Žiri. Idrija’s influential artistic heritage has pushed a traditional town to create its own variation in the production of čipka lace.
As more and more people became interested in čipka lace-making, a school dedicated to creating the Idrija lace was established in 1876, which is still open today.
Due to the growing demand for quality lace on the market, Idrija began to establish schools for their production. These schools aimed at improving the knowledge of lacemakers and thus raising the quality of lace.
The Lace School was established in Idrija as early as 1876, and since then it has been operating continuously. During this period, Idrija lace gained its recognizable shape and the method of čipkarstvo standardized. The process followed through the use of seven pairs of bobbins.
The product, in general, was a success, as traders have penetrated foreign markets with them. They also achieved the highest recognition at world exhibitions with these handicrafts.
The Influence of Idrija Lacemaking
At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, bobbin-making spread to Cerkljansko and the area of Trnovski gozd. It also spread to the Selška and Poljanska valleys, through courses and schools taught by Idrija teachers.
Idrija women took up home crafts en masse, although they were paid relatively poorly for their work. With the Italian occupation in 1920, the requirements on the lace market changed. Idrija could only compete with a larger quantity of lace, which dictated their more straightforward production with five pairs of čipka.
Idrija lace, through mass production, has become cheaper and accessible to a wider circle of people. The number of lacemakers in mining families gradually declined after the end of World War II.
Today, Idrija lace is a popular activity of many retirees, some of whom meet in an organized manner and are educated in associations, and a smaller proportion of them still bobbin lace for sale. Idrija lace is an important part of the Slovenian cultural heritage, which has been preserved and developed over time.
Idrija Lace Today
Today, Idrija lace is a growing challenge to renowned artists, fashion designers, and other creators. Much of the challenge is to incorporate it into modern processes. You can see their products at the permanent exhibition of the City Museum of Idrija čipkarstvo, a thread-painted history at Gewerkenegg Castle.
Long-term cooperation between the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering and Idrija lacemakers has led to exceptional artistic creations. These not only preserve the traditional aspects of Idrija lace. With its originality, it proves that it has exceptional possibilities for design and various modifications into new, modern forms.
The Idrija lace technique is truly unique as it consists of traditional patterns. These patterns follow a tradition typical of the city of Idrija and its surroundings. Many of these designs even have original Slovenian names. These processes were preserved thanks to a long history of devoted women and girls creating beautiful homemade products and keeping the tradition alive.
How Do Slovenians Celebrate Idrija Lace?
The Idrija lace has a special place in the hearts of the inhabitants, so special that every year a festival is organized here in honor of this important craft. The Idrija Lace Festival (Festival idrijske čipke) takes place in mid-July each year and lasts for two days. There, you can learn all about the history and lace-making and discover the various exhibitions and products on display. The festival also offers interesting workshops, competitions, concerts, and outdoor events in the city center.
The products created by the makers of Idrija lace are truly unique and suitable for everyone. Napkins can be used as unique decorations or souvenirs, and various types of jewelry can make a nice gift or be proudly worn by yourself. These are just a few examples of the many products for the production of bobbin lace that you will discover while learning about traditional Slovenian crafts.
The Idrija Lace School
The Idrija Lace School has been operating continuously since 1876. The school ensures that new generations will always learn the skills of handmade Idrija lace. Respecting tradition, lace in Idrija will continue to develop with younger generations.
The Idrija Lace School is not only an educational institution. On the school premises, you can see an exhibition of handmade Idrija lace and pupils trying out the lace. Visitors can also buy quality products with lace and equipment for their production – even join in an annual competition in lace.
Idrija City Museum
If you find yourself visiting Idrija, take a look at the exhibition about the art of bobbin lace in Idrija and its makers. You can get to know the lace-decorated textiles and the oldest, most beautiful, largest laces, including “Jovanka’s tablecloth.” The exhibition will take you through the 300-year history of bobbin-making all the way to the present.
Part of what you’ll see is the progression of the town itself. For hundreds of years, much of Idrija only had two famous industries: mining and lacemaking. You’ll see several ways that the locals celebrate their heritage, including the Idrija Lace Festival.
The Idrija Lace Festival
The Idrija Lace Festival is among the most prominent events that fill the historic center of Idrija. The town, located 31 miles (50 km) from Ljubljana, gets many visitors from across the world. The event is known to connect people with their heritage as miners and lace makers.
As lacemaking developed at the peak of the Idrija mercury mines, it established into a celebrated art form that started from the miners’ wives. Through the work of these women, the lace created what was once the second-largest lacemaking cooperative.
The work of these women created a lasting heritage and even helped establish the Idrija Lace School. The entire event has several programs that celebrate the Idrija heritage.
The first evening will start with the Lace Press Visit, which will be marked by the opening ceremony of the Idrija Lace Festival. Through the event, you will witness the raising of the festival flag, together with a treat at Gewerkenegg Castle.
The next day, there will be storytelling of the foundation and development of the oldest mining town in Slovenia. You will also learn about the legendary tub maker who first bucketed mercury. There will also be a story about Napoleon’s lover from Idrija, known by the nickname “The Dog Countess.”
Visitors will experience visiting the mysterious underworld of the miners. Those who want to see can come dressed in green and black overcoats, then come equipped with a helmet. You’ll pass through Anthony’s Shaft, together with the Miner’s House – fragrant with the famous Idrija žlikrofi, a protected Slovenian culinary showpiece.
Conclusion
Idrija Lace is one of the most celebrated artistic and cultural heritage of Slovenia. The Slovenian Idrija lace is more than a simple pattern. It’s centuries of cultural heritage that started from mines and advanced by Slovenian women.
If you’re visiting Slovenia any time soon, Idrija is the place you want to visit. You’ll see much of the history of the Idrija lace and how today’s people commemorate the people of yesterday.
Talk to us now and immerse yourself in the beauty of Idrija.
