A boutique mix of tradition and modernity, comfort and top cuisine.
With its boutique style, Hotel Jožef offers eleven double rooms and a suite, ensuring privacy, comfort, and a superb culinary experience. Its location between Idrija's historic core, the entrance to the mine (which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2012), the river, the park, and the walking trails tells the stories of the area's mining tradition and life in Idrija. The hotel's architectural design pays homage to the city's technical and cultural heritage. Hotel Jožef takes the shape of a mining furnace with its modern and environmentally friendly building design. It connects the rich tradition with modernity and new experiences through various architectural elements, the culinary offer, the content of experiences, and its name.
Varied economic life on Prejnuta
From 1652 to 1870, a mercury smelter operated on Prejnuta (from the German term Brennhütte), where Hotel Jožef is located. The riverbank was dotted with mine outbuildings, and several furnaces for burning ore operated nearby. (Photo of postcard Prejnuta from the Idrija Municipal museum's Photo library dating from the early twentieth century).
Modernisation of the mining area
The ore plant was relocated to the right bank of the Idrijca during the tenure of Marko Vincenc Lipold, the founder of Slovenian geology. It was a period of outstanding modernised mercury metallurgy and the achievements of Czech engineers such as mining councillor Jožef Čermak and smelter master Vincenc Špirek. (Postcard from the collection of Bogdan Kovačič).
Residential units grew among the farm buildings
Following the closure of the mercury mine on Prejnuta, the area was given a new purpose. Plans from 1875 attest to the construction of housing units for officials and workers, known as "prhavz" (from the German term Berghause). One of these still stands behind Hotel Jožef today as a testament to the rapid adaptation of space use to economic conditions. (Photo Library of the City Museum of Idrija).
Čermak – Špirek's furnace as an inspiration for Hotel Jožef
Engineers Čermak and Špirek began building innovative overflow furnaces in 1886, which represented the greatest achievement of mercury burning at the time on a global scale due to the exceptional effects of ore burning. The last furnace that inspired the architectural design of Hotel Jožef cease operation in 1974.
The development of the area adapts to the needs of the population
Mining was gradually replaced in the Prejnuta area in the 1950s by other industries and companies such as Lesna indsutrija Idrija (wood industry), Simplex, and Kolektor. They began construction on a grocery store in the Hotel Jožef area in 1969, which operated until the decision was made to build a new hotel on the site.
Conceptual design of a new boutique hotel
The increasing number of tourists visiting Idrija necessitates consideration of additional accommodations, as well as the possibility that Idrija might get a new hotel after many years. The acquisition of land is followed by the presentation of a conceptual design and the construction of a modern hotel, the architectural design of which bears witness to the area's historical development and follows the shape of the Čermak-Špirek mining furnace.
Start of construction of Hotel Jožef
The construction of the new boutique hotel begins once the building permit is issued. Because of the increasing number of tourists and the scarcity of accommodation in the area, the investor was able to secure co-financing from European funds. The innovative conceptual design is taking shape, and the long-awaited accommodation facilities are one step closer.
Opening of Hotel Jožef in memory of all deserving Jožefs
A new boutique hotel opens its doors on January 15. The new tourist attraction in the area, Hotel Jožef, bears the name of many innovators, academics, managers, doctors, writers, and other important personalities who not only bore the name Jožef, but also significantly contributed to the development of the area.
Witnesses of excellence.
Michelin BIB Gourmand (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
The award for authentic culinary experiences with high-quality food and excellent value for money.
Green Key
The leading standard of excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable tourism operation, which attests to our adherence to the International Foundation for Environmental Education FEE's strict criteria.
Slovenia Green Cuisine
The Slovenian Tourist Organization's sustainability symbol, which directs ecological and gourmet enthusiasts to providers of a unique interweaving of tradition and modern cuisine, taking into account the "from the garden to the table" approach.
Slovenia Green & Safe
The Slovenian Tourist Organization's logo, which attests to our responsible, safe, and sustainable approach to tourism.
Green Accomodation
A symbol of environmentally friendly living with superior comfort; we contribute to environmental care with green solutions in water and energy management, cleaning, and waste management.
Idrija selected
Certificate of excellence for high-quality products made from locally sourced raw materials and incorporating Idrija's tradition, culture, and way of life.