The miners’ block was built in the area of Idrija town called Brusovše. It has 24 two-room apartments in total. The block has two storeys and a basement, a rectangular floor plan and a double-eaved roof. The facade is of simple design. The only decor are simple wall wreaths, which divide the floors and window frames, all made within the plaster. The original dimensions, roof incline, distribution of facade openings (including the stone basement windows) and street equipment (e.g. staircase in front of the building) are preserved. The aesthetically designed and functional architecture of the buildings, modelled by the workers’ district, represents the completed urban whole.
Measures
Building area 554 m2, height 13.2 m. Apartment size: 40.1–55.3 m2.
Materials
Stone, brick, concrete, floor foundation, wood.
Dating
1898
Author / Producer
Idrija Mercury Mine.
Picture attachments
Original use
The block of flats is an example of preserved worker’s apartments, which was built by the Idrija Mercury Mine in the years 1872–1933, in order to improve the living standard of the miners. The lack of apartments, low level of residential accommodation and the increase in the number of employees in the Mine were the reasons for building the block of flats. It was built in an area where four other blocks were already placed. It had 24 apartments in total. They all had three spaces, of which the first part next to the hallway was the kitchen and a small room and the second part was a large room. Two kitchens were back to back because of the common chimney, which means that they were placed in the middle of the building. The water was brought in the apartments from the drinking fountain (“štirna”). Behind the block, there were wooden woodsheds (for storing firewood and breeding domestic animals) and a laundry, which was shared by all residents. The furniture was modest and similar to that of the miner’s house.
Present use
The residential block is being preserved, secured and presented as an important monument of Idrija mining heritage with exceptional universal values. Today, the building has 24 apartments with basement premises. In the context of the mining activity, the building is an important witness of the life of the mining families throughout the history of the Mine and of the development of the residential culture of the working class. The block of flats represent the living monument of generations of Idrija miners, who co-shaped the mercury culture throughout the centuries, and today the heritage of all humanity.
Original location
2357 Idrija – town, lot no. 643 (including the buildings no. 1522, 1523, 1524).
Present location
No changes.
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
The roofing (2000) and the windows (1997, 2002) were replaced.
Present state
good
Necessary activities:
Performing regular maintenance services in accordance with the guidelines of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, including the status control and preservation, security and presentation of the heritage.
DOCUMENTATION
Addresses / collections / links etc. where further in-depth information is accessible:
- The Cultural Heritage Register of the Republic of Slovenia.