TRIPS IN THE VICINITY
THE TURBULENT 20TH CENTURY AND THE REMAINS OF THE SOČA FRONT
ITINERARY:
Branik–Sabotin–Nova Gorica–Gorica–Cerje–Branik
DISTANCE: 95 km
DURATION: daytrip
DESCRIPTION:
The Soča front, the two World Wars and the events that followed left deep scars in the Gorica region. The remains of trenches and bunkers of the Soča Front and collections of weapons and other objects represent a wealth of cultural heritage that can be seen in the Peace Park on Mt. Sabotin. After World War II a new border between Slovenia (Yugoslavia at the time) and Italy was determined along its narrow ridge and it cut into the lives of people, dividing families and separating friends overnight. Our itinerary then leads us to Europe Square where we can stand with one foot in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, and the other in Gorizia, Italy. The Kolodvor museum collection still keeps the red star that used to watch over the square. We then continue on to Cerje. At the edge of the Karst plateau with a view of the sea as well as Mt. Triglav, stands a monument to all those who defended Slovenian land. Our trip concludes at Rihemberk Castle which hosted a military hospital during World War I., indicated by a red cross on the roof. Two military graveyards in the village of Branik are another reminder of the Soča Front and its numerous victims.
ATTRACTIONS ON THE WAY:
• Visiting and exploring Rihemberk Castle and climbing its mighty tower
• Sabotin: trenches, bunkers and museums narrate the story of the Soča Front
• Nova Gorica: Europe Square, which was once divided by an “iron” border, and the museum collection on life near the border from 1945 to 2004
• Cerje: a grand monument to the defenders of Slovenian land with panoramic views