Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Centre, Bazoviška 2, SI-5280 Idrija
Ownership
Public
Owner
Republic of Slovenia
Local / Original ID Number
/
Type of Object
Mine, Daily life, Development of new activities
Description
Short description
The original statue of St Barbara is placed in the Crypt of Saint Barbara along with the statue of Holy Trinity and the statue of St Achatius. The statue is wholly made of sandstone. The fine design, smooth edge and dramatic tone (“pleading” Barbara’s look is directed towards the Holy Trinity), eloquently indicates the Late Baroque period. Along the right leg, we can see a small fortress carved in the same style. The right hand is damaged.
Measures
Length 26 cm, width 43 cm, height 95 cm.
Materials
Sandstone
Dating
1752
Author / Producer
Idrija Mercury Mine
Picture attachments
Original use
The unfinished chapel, built at the time of the biggest mine flourishing, was blessed by the archbishop Carl Michael von Attems, on 17 August 1752. The altar, decorated with a relief depiction of the Holy Trinity accompanied by the statues of St Barbara and St Achatius, intercessors of Idrija miners, was built later. The chapel was intended exclusively for the miners, their prayers and intercessions to be able to perform the hard work and safely return from the pit. According to tradition, Barbara was the daughter of a wealthy pagan. In order to protect her from the outside world, her father locked her in a high tower. During his absence, she got baptised, which made her father so upset that he raised his sword above her. Barbara’s prayer contributed to the first miracle. Inside the tower, a hole (a tunnel) opened and Barbara was able to escape her father’s anger and ruthlessness. The element of the tunnel and Barbara's escape through it contributed the fact that Barbara was perceived as a protector of the miners according to the popular belief.
Present use
The statue of Saint Barbara is being preserved, secured and presented as an important monument of Idrija mining heritage with exceptional universal values. Sine 2008, the original statues of St Barbara and St Achatius along with the relief of the Holy Trinity from the underground chapel have been situated in the crypt of the former Church of Saint Barbara, under the current City Square in Idrija.
Original location
Anthony's Main Road, the underground chapel of the Holy Trinity (approximately three hundred metres from the entrance and twenty-five metres under the surface).
Present location
St Barbara Gallery in front of the crypt, under the City Square in Idrija.
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
Due to the poor conditions in the chapel of the Holy Trinity in Anthony's Main Road (moisture, subsidence and movement), the original was transferred to the crypt of St Barbara under the city square. The original in Anthony's Main Road was thus replaced with a replica of it.
Present state
good
Necessary activities:
Regular seasonal maintenance.
DOCUMENTATION
Addresses / collections / links etc. where further in-depth information is accessible: