Daria's World - blog about people and things that matter the most

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Idrija Slovenia - 2011 Alpine Town

Žlikrofi, Slovenian national food from town Idrija
.

Idrija Becomes Alpine Town of 2011
09.02.2011

Idrija - The oldest Slovenian mining town, Idrija, which is situated in the Alpine foothills, assumed the title of the Alpine Town of 2011, becoming the 14th town from the eight Alpine countries to receive the title since its induction in 1995. The title is conferred by an association of Alpine countries on towns committed to the implementation of the Alpine Convention. The convention, which entered into force in March 1995, promotes sustainable development of the Alpine region.



This year Idrija therefore plans to carry out projects which will focus on the protection of soil and forest, efficient functioning of sewage plants and the production of environmental-friendly energy.



Idrija Mayor Bojan Sever told the press before the ceremony that cooperation within the network of Alpine towns opened concrete business opportunities for Idrija. "The title is also an excellent opportunity for the promotion of Idrija internationally," he said.



Sever also believes that the title would enable Idrija to draw on the experiences of the towns which have already held the title, and create a legacy for the successors. "We are involved in a project of becoming a low-carbon municipality and we will be carrying out several projects to meet the expectations of the EU and the Alpine Convention," he pointed out.



Sever received the title from the president of the Alpine Town of the Year Association Hubert Buhl and received a gift from Otto Marl, the mayor of Austria's Bad Aussee, the Alpine Town of 2010. The ceremony was also addressed by Environment and Spatial Planning Minister Roko Zarnic.



The first Slovenian town to assume the title was Maribor in 2000.



The idea to make the Alps the centrepiece of a town was born in Villach, Austria in 1995. The next year the Alpine Town of the Year Association was founded. Initially, it promoted cultural events, but now it stands for the implementation of the Alpine Convention.



Idrija, which is best known for its closed mercury mine, which was one of the biggest in the world, is visited by some 50,000 people every year.

Source: Republic of Slovenia - Government Communication Office
.
.
This copper engraving from 1689 by Janez Vajkard Valvasor shows the mercury mine in Idrija in Slovenia
.
.

Escudo - Idrija, Mercurio: Coat of arms of Municipality Idrija
.
.
Postcard of Idrija from 1898
.
.
Divje jezero (Wild Lake), a Karst spring near Idrija, Slovenia
.
.
Gerwerkenegg castle in Idrija, Slovenia
.
.
Kendov dvorec, 5-star hotel in Slovenia (Spodnja Idrija)
.
.


Enhanced by Zemanta

1 comment:

  1. I love the colour of the water there in the Wild Lake. It is so beautifl and I hope to see those lakes myself soon.

    ReplyDelete

May you be happy, healthy,
wealthy and safe.
May you live with ease.

Powered by WebRing.