Baroque Alchemy in Carniola

Abstract

The discussion presents the late-Renaissance and Baroque alchemy in the Habsburg lands and especially in the Duchy of Carniola, within the broader context of the study of Western esoteric traditions. The first part of the discussion describes the fundamental concepts related to the study of the Western esoteric traditions. Then follow a brief presentation of the basic features of alchemy as one of Western traditions and a short historical overview of this enigmatic tradition. The main part of the discussion focuses on the alchemical tradition in the Habsburg Monarchy and, of course, in Carniola. It addresses the following topics: the late-Renaissance and early-Baroque alchemy in Ljubljana; the connection of alchemy and the quicksilver mine in Idrija; the Strmol Castle as the capital of alchemists from Carniola and its Baroque owners, all ardent alchemists; alchemical endeavours of Johannes Friedrich von Rain and his dispute with a Czech medical doctor and alchemist Dobrzensky and, last but not least, the little known alchemical and broader occult interests pursued by Johann Weikhard von Valvasor. The article also briefly presents alchemy in the 18th-century Carniola and concludes with a short survey of up-to-date research of alchemy in Slovenia. The discussion also indicates possible future research options of alchemy in Slovenia.