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 Achatius is placed in the Crypt of Saint Barbara along with the statue of the Holy Trinity and the statue of St Barbara. The statue is wholly made of sandstone. The fine design, (his uniform of a Roman Warrior is also beautifully expressed), smooth edges and renowned exaggeration with luxury elements (ruffles and coat girth) eloquently indicate the Late Baroque period. The Saint’s look is directed towards the Holy Trinity.
Measures
Length 25 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. Idrija miners became conscious of Saint Achatius when a rich ore vein was discovered on the day of his name day on 22 June 1508. From that day on, St Achatius became a protector of Idrija miners. When, on St Achatius Day in 1593, the United Christian forces from internal Austrian lands overcame the Ottoman army at Sisak, the Saint became even more important in the Slovenian consciousness.
Present use
The statue of St Achatius is being preserved, secured and presented as an important monument of Idrija mining heritage with exceptional universal values. Since 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: