Located in western Slovenia where the sub-alpine and karst environments meet, the town of Idrija has a long mining history that extends back to the late 15th century. Once home to one of the worlds largest mercury mines, now closed, the town is still home to the centuries old tradition of hand-made lace. Lacemaking is said to have begun in Slovenia in the 16th century, though it is not known from where or when such skills arrived in Idrija.