The ironworks in Fužina on the Krka River was the only plant of its kind in Lower Carniola for most of its existence. Its origins can be traced back to the Late Middle Ages, when the use of water power in the iron industry began in Carniola. This ironworks is first documented in known sources in the middle of the 16th century and then more or less continuously until its closure in 1882. In the Modern Period, its products were partly sold further then the provincial borders, this ironworks entered foreign markets through the nail-making industry. The operation of this plant coincided in various aspects with the other ironworks in Carniola. Nonetheless, from the 18th century onwards, the economic situation of this ironworks was hampered by a partial shortage of charcoal, the absence of quality ore, the associated delayed modernisation and, as a consequence, an increasing dependence on imports of Carinthian pig iron. The established economic links were interrupted by the creation of the Illyrian Provinces, and after the Restoration, new political and economic connections, and above all the railway, led to the transport isolation of the ironworks on the Krka River. The lack of competitiveness gradually led to the company's collapse.
The work presents the history of the ironworks on the Krka River, the characteristics of the operation of this plant and how it was changed over time, the history of its ownership and the secondary activities related to the iron industry. The archival research is based on the sources of the provincial institutions, which are kept in fonds and collections of the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia, as well as on parish registers and parish family books from the Archdiocesan Archives in Ljubljana. Published narrative sources and literature shed light on the technical side of the iron industry and the terminology associated with it. As far as the known sources reveal, the ironworks in question did not, as a rule, generate significant profits. This is also evidenced by the relatively low production volumes. Nevertheless, it operated a relatively long time and left a number of social consequences that can still be percieved.
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