Foundries at Hubelj could flourish because of a simple acces and uptake of water from Hubelj, very rich iron ore, wide forest of Trnovo plateau and Hrušica, where charcoal was coodked and proximity of big cities: Venice, Gradiška, Trieste, … . First, they acquired and sold pig iron, then they produced also a high quality wrought iron and special steel.

First all workshops were simple wooden sheds, for some tasks even just canopies. Then managers gradually built facilities. In foundries existed two complexes of workshops. Upper, bigger complex, in which the production started was in year 1934 demolished to the ground. At this spot, Italians built a building, assigned for managers of water supply at Sinji vrh.

Lower complex buildings were gradually demolished due to weather, increased water and vibration of big hammers, therefore renovation was needed.  Last major renovation was recorded in first half of 19 century. Remains of buildings were partially restored in the 80’s.

Iron foundries operated until the mid 18th century, when the mine Napredalno has been exhausted, it ran out of basic raw material. Hubelj production has gradually shifted to copper and copper products. For raw material scrap copper was used. From copper they produced boilers for households and for distiling, various sprayers, kitchenware, water pitchers, ladles, … . This dish was often “zinced”. The were also making gutters, pipes and other products for everyday use, projecting roofs, copper roof, … .

This area was known also for a large rolling mill for copper, where they rolled copper plates for ships. In small quantities they also produced copper wire. In 19th century in foundries worked first servis for off-road repairs of defects on the products.

Between 1820 and 1850, some buildings were thoroughly renovated, especially stoves – furnaces. Production in foundries completely stopped in the begining of WWI. Since then the buildings were falling apart.

In the 350 year of foundries at Hubelj in documents appear the following family names of the owners, managers or shareholders of foundries production: Pregelj, Godina, Šapla, Junauer, Gompa, Gneckho, Freuperger, Lanthieri, Schlegel, Guyer. The remains of the buildings and stoves of lower complex were partially restored – and are protected.

Water for both complexes was scooped up from Hubelj. Uptake of water took place up-stream from upper foundries from where water was channelled through open walled canals towards middle buildings. From there was channelled under the buildings. Hammers and bellows for blowing the fire in stoves were powered by water.

Beneath the upper complex the water flowed for a few meters in open channel, then in a steep wooden sink in the lower complex. The output shaft – tunnel from upper complex is still visible today. Water was falling from a wooden trough in wind instrument from where the water was displacing air with weight, which was lead to the stoves where it panted the fire. That is how they achieved higher temperatures of annealing. The power of the water was then powering the large sledge hammers – the fools, which stood between furnaces. This place was completely roof-covered. From here they abetted the water under the buildings toward exit on south-west side of the complex. Also this exit channel is visible today. After few meters of open channel was water routed in “rojo” – the sink, to a large water wheel, which was powering the devices in rolling mill and afterwards it flowed into Hubelj.

From the beginning, blacksmiths worked in foudries for needs of foundries workshops – operating various hammers, pliers, chisels, punches, etc. The hardest part of the work was were done by large water-powered mechanical hammers. For the successful operation of the foundries many profession were needed, from miners, transporters, woodcutters, charcoal burners, furnacers, blacksmiths, foundrymen and to plain physical workers.

In the middle of the second half of 16th century industry in foundries at Hubelj flourished. Work had been divided in phases or processes: leaching ore, annealing, melting, annealing for foundries forging and forging of semi-finished products. They were producing flat and round rod iron, weapons parts, steel shells, cannon balls and warious tools, parts for wagons, horseshoes, hand tools, … .They even obtained steel for scythe and springs. One of the most lucrative businesses at that time was the production of all types and shapes of nails.

Until year 1566 they produced and processed approximately 12 tons of iron per year. After replacing the stoves in year 1567, they produced from 45 to 112 tons. The documents showed that with a minor improvements they could achieve even 224 tons.

Products, especially for weapons and cannon balls were sold mainly to coastal towns: Trieset, Monfalcone, Tržič, Gradiška and Venice, as well as to the armory in Gorica. Mentioned are even Naples and Sicily. Production has grown and gained in diversity, especially around year 1577, when foundry started with its work. At this time was at Hubelj above foundries working a large saw, where among other things were making paddles for gondolas and large quantities were sold mainly in Venice.   At the end of 16th century foundries had found themselves in a crisis and were operating in a very limited extent.

In the middle of 17th century, the production in the area of foundries was renewed in both complexes. . In this area, in year 1651 and 1670, a spinning mill of a flax and clothiers, and paper mill were operated, respectively. Owner count Lanthieri restored the foundry for iron and foundry. They were making “a great variety of products from iron”, among them also grenades and cannon balls for armories in Gradiška, Gorica and Trieste. Mentioned are also bells, stoves and products mede of forged and cast steel. Interesting products are also from cast iron retorts for roasting of mercury ore in quicksilver mines in Idrija, which testifies about the quality of products of Ajdovščina foundries, as they tolerated the temperatures up to 850°C, in which they extracted mercury. Old, already used retorts where returned from Idrija to foundries, where they were processed.

Buildings of foundries On the map are buildings of Foundries at Hubelj spring above Ajdovščina. To view the map in full size, just click on the image on the left or on the lin to open it in another window. [_See the buildings_]

Foundries in history Photos of founries from 16th and 17th century, showing how they used to look like when they were active. A little insight into history of foundries at Hubelj sprngs above Ajdovščina. [_Read more_]

Ajdovščina Ajdovščina is a city in the central part of Vipava valley, at the confluence of the stream Hubelj and Lokavšček, on the contact of Ajdovščina field and flysch slope below Gora (Sinji peak, 1002 meters). The city lies along the main road, which through Ljubljana connects central Europe with northern Italy. Ajdovščina is the administrative centre of Vipava valley. [_Read more_]