When the mine in Predoi closed down, the families in the Valle Aurina Valley had to find new opportunities to earn money - that was the origin of bobbin lacemaking in this area
Image gallery: Bobbin lacemaking
Once the main source of income in the Valle Aurina Valley was the copper mine in Predoi. In 1893 it closed down and 40 families had to find a new opportunity to earn money. That is why women in Predoi and surroundings attended bobbin lacemaking courses abroad.
The pioneer was Rosa Kofler Mittermair, who went to Vienna, London and Slovenia to attend bobbin lacemaking courses. After her return to Predoi she taught other women in the valley. Once it was a gainful employment and nowadays it is a handcraft, which is passed down generations. Since 1994 there has been a bobbin lacemaking association in Predoi, which organises courses and keeps the tradition alive. In the occasion of show bobbin lacemaking events you can look over the farmers' wives shoulders.
