May 21, 2025
Idrija

Katarina Grabnar Apostolides, a member of the Epeka Association, went on a field trip to Idrija with a small group of participants, where they visited St. Anthony’s Tunnel and the Mercury Smelter.

The purpose of the visit was to observe and study extremophile fungi that thrive in extremely harsh conditions—in areas heavily contaminated with mercury.

A surprising discovery was the fact that more species of fungi grow in these seemingly toxic areas than was initially expected. Both the participants and the professional staff at Antonijev rov and Topilnica were enthusiastic about the number and diversity of the specimens observed. Due to the great interest in such discoveries, the staff expressed their desire for further cooperation and a joint project to inventory extremophile fungi in Idrija, which represents an exceptional opportunity for further research in the field of mycology and environmental science.

The excursion was organized in cooperation with the EPEKA Association, so. p., and the Mycological Museum of Slovenia – Natura Slovenika Institute.