Klavže - water barriers
Slovenian pyramids
Klavže - water barriers
Klavže - water barriers is located in the heart of the Idrija forests in the Zgornja Idrijca Landscape Park and is one of the most important preserved buildings of the Idrija mercury mine. Due to their extraordinary dimensions, and technical, technological, and aesthetic sophistication, they are also called the Slovenian pyramids. Within the framework of the project "Mercury Heritage. Almadén and Idrija', were included in the World Heritage List UNESCO in 2012.
Idrijske klavže
In 1772, the Idrijca lock was built with the largest capacity and dimensions. The 800 m-long channel behind the dam could hold up to 249,000 m³ of water. At one time, up to 10,000 m³ and even 13,000 m³ of timber were floated to Idrija.
Belčne or Brusove klavže
Klavže was built in 1767-1769. They were designed to hold up to 78,000 m³ of water, allowing up to 5,000 m³ of wood to be floated at a time.
Putrihove klavže
The most picturesque of all the water barriers in Idrija is the Putrihs' water barriers on the Belca river, as they are masterfully wedged between the steep banks of the river gorge. They were built in 1779. Their capacity was 32,000 m³ of water.
Visit Klavže
Venture into the heart of the forests of Idrija and visit a unique monument of technical heritage.
The Idrijska klavže on the Idrijca river, the Brusova klavže - Belčna klavže and the Putrihova klavže on the Belca river are all restored and preserved, the most recent are the Ovčjaške klavže on the Ovčjakarika river, a right tributary of the Kanomljica.
