Kropa Iron Forging Museum

Located in the narrow valley beneath the Jelovica plateau, town of Kropa has preserved the appearance of an old iron-making settlement and is protected from 1953 as important state cultural monument. Kropa Iron Forging Museum was established in 1952 as first technical museum in situ. It was founded on endavour of locals and expert public especially prof. Franjo Baš who was at that time director of Technical Museum of Slovenia. Nowadays it is administered by Radovljica Municipality Museums. Museum building where permanent and temporary exhitions are held is in old forging house called Klinar's House from 18th century. The themes of the museum cover the technical and historical development of iron-working from iron ore to nail. The museum introduces the commercial, social, demographic and cultural circumstances of the settlement and neighbouring sites from the 15th century to the close of the iron foundry tradition in the 19th century and the downfall of nail-making handicraft in the 20th century. The museum also features a special collection of artistically-forged iron objects made by master blacksmith Joža Bertoncelj.

History

Notable development of town Kropa begun in 14th century. Important archaeological finding of how iron was forged in middle ages is so called Slovene Furnace that was found during excavations for the road towards Jamnik village above Kropa. In 15th century already two iron forging furnaces and blacksmith workshops existed. Peak of iron forging was in 18th and 19th century two iron foundries, 7 blacksmith semimanufactures (cajnarica) and 19 nail blacksmith workshops (vignjenc)were operating. Foundaries closed the end of 19th century, because of shortage of iron ore.

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Kropa Iron Forging Museum

History

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