002.237.Idrija

Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Centre, Bazoviška 2, SI-5280 Idrija

Public

Republic of Slovenia

/

Mine

The pit cart – “trugca” is no longer considered as a track vehicle. Both axles with wheels are screwed on the base bracket, made of flat steel (forged). The cast wheels have different diameters. The cart box is wooden. On the edges and in the middle of longer (vertical) and shorter (horizontal) sides, it is reinforced with flat steel. The bottom of the box is covered with steel sheets for protection. There is a simple convex rectangular holder on one of the shorter sides. The cart volume is 0.084 m³.

Length 95 cm, width 40 cm, height 60 cm.

Cast iron, steel, wood - fir.

First half of the 20th century.

Idrija Mercury Mine.

The pit cart - “trugca” was named due to its dimensions and appearance, but otherwise it was an upgrade of the “cart with a guide pin” (the Hungarian cart) from the 15th century. In the Idrija Mercury Mine, it was used for several centuries. Around 1850, the Mine switched to using classic steel rolled rails. At that time, the “trugca” pit carts were reconstructed and their guide pin was removed. They were manufactured in the Idrija mining plant in accordance with need. They were used on the mining fields, where the classic pit trail had not yet been laid. Ten to twelve “trigles” were required to fill the “trugca” (300 kg). The filled “trugca” pit carts were then pushed on wooden boards towards the shafts. Around 1950, they were mostly replaced with mine cards named “Korejci” (Koreans), but they were still in use at least until the end of 1961.

The ore transport mine cart “trugca” is being preserved, secured and presented as an important monument of Idrija mining technical heritage with exceptional universal values. It is a part of the CUDHg mining collection. Visitors can view it within the permanent museum display Anthony's Main Road. It is a part of the presentation that represents the entire story of mining in the Idrija Mercury Mine. Together with the “krutca” (a tool resembling a large hoe), “trigl” (iron, trough-like vessel) and carbide lamp it represents manual ore excavation, which was in force in the Idrija Mercury Mine at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Pit of the Idrija Mercury Mine.

Anthony’s Main Road, Kosovelova 3, SI-5280 Idrija

The object is well preserved. It was restored for the purpose of the permanent museum display. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premises is ensured.

good

Regular seasonal maintenance.

- CUDHg Inventory Book;
- Historical Archives of Ljubljana, Unit in Idrija, plan collection, drawer B2;
- Historical Archives of Ljubljana, Unit in Idrija, fond RŽS, IDR 55, material after the year 1955, t. e. 188.

Mestni muzej Idrija

Miha Kosmač

7. 3. 2018

Never