'ʻSt. Hemma Blast Furnaceʼ

Iron Foundry at Nomenj in Bohinj

Abstract

East from Bohinjska Bistrica and across the Nomenj village, there lie the ruins of a metallurgical plant by the brook called Plavžarica. In the oral tradition, the place used to be known as ‘St. Hemma’s’ and the ruins are still called ‘St. Hemma Blast Furnace’. Contrary to the oral tradition, historical sources prove that this is a 17^th century iron foundry which only operated briefly, and then its existence and location were soon forgotten. In the 20^th century, the foundry aroused the interest of the archaeologists and researchers of the technical heritage again. They also excavated the remains of the foundry buildings.