It is not known precisely when and from where lacemaking skills came to Idrija; however, the oldest written source revealing the existence dates in 1696. At first Idrija housewives made lace mainly for the domestic market, until the first lace shop and lace-making school were established. At the height of the lacemaking business, lace from Idrija was sold to Italy, Germany, France and even America, with lace merchants having Swiss bank accounts. After the Second World War, the mass production of lace slowly started to decline. Today, mainly children and elderly women are making lace … well, they were. In the last decade more and more young designers and lace-aficionados from Idrija are engaging in bobbin lace-making. Visit exhibition on Idrija lace in Municipal museum at Gewerkenegg castle and buy lace souvenirs in studios in the historic town center.