The history of Idrija is closely connected to the development of the mercury mine. Alongside mining, another activity was highly developed - the making of hand-made lace. The oldest written source that mentions lace-making in the Idrija region dates to the year 1696. In terms of the method of making we distinguish sown, knitted, crocheted or bobbin lace. In Idrija we make bobbin-worked lace. They were named after specially shaped wooden sticks, called bobbins, on which thread from which we make lace is wound. The lace-making skill has mainly been spread as tradition from one generation to another. An important turning point in history was the beginning of the organized teaching of lace-making in the form of courses and schools. Gradually, different patterns and techniques evolved in Idrija, which gave the Idrija lace a distinctive trait.