Goriška is a statistical region in the west of the country on the border with Italy. Its capital city is Nova Gorica. The area is 2,325 km2 and there live about 119,622 people.
Bovec
Bovec is situated in the middle of Triglav National Park. It is a perfect destination for people who like to go outside and like an active holiday. In summer there can be canoed and rafted on the rivers and in winter there can be skied at the Kanin ski resort. Close to the town are the river Soča and the river Koritnica joined together. At that place there are arranged some camping sites.
You might not have heard of it but maybe you have seen it before, because the mighty skirmish scenes at the end of Disney's film The Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian were filmed near Bovec. In June 2007, they shot these scenes in the valley.
Trouts love the cold and clear water of the river Soča and they get to huge sizes that every angler would like to catch. Marble trout, Brown trout and Soča grayling are native species of the river. The best time to fish at the Soča river is late August and September.
In the parish church of Bovec there is a notable painting: Archangel Michael fights with Hitler and Mussolini. They represent God’s enemies, the foes of society and the devil.
Idrija
It was in Idrija that a loaded deposit of mercury ore was exposed in 1490. Idrija’s famed mercury mine, once was the second largest mercury mine in the world. It has served for 500 years, but now it has closed. The Anthony’s Shaft is the oldest part of the mine and dates from the 16th century. There also is a subterranean chapel that dates from 18th century. Both the mine and the church are open for visitors.
The glorious Gewerkenegg Castle, which dates from 1533, is a home to the wide-ranging collection of the Idrija Municipal Museum. The courtyard of the castle serves in summer also as a scene of summer cultural events.
Very famous is the centuries-old lace making tradition, which has been practiced in the area for more than 300 years. Its lace making school is more than 120 years old. You can buy its products all over the town. Every year there is a traditional Lace Festival at the end of August.
The famous Johannes Antonius Scopoli, an Italian physician and naturalist, was a practicing doctor in the town in the Switzerland building. He was the first doctor of medicine, appointed in Idrija in 1754, who described in great detail the symptoms of mercurialism among smelters and pit workers. Mercurialism is caused by mercury vapour over long periods of time. Some symptoms are inflammation of the mouth, loose teeth and blue lines on the gums. So this really was an important discovery of him.
There are lots of local "gostilnas" and farms where you can enjoy the local cuisine. The home-made dish žlikrofi (a kind of ravioli) is really worth a try.
Kobarid
Kobarid was populated as early as the Hallstatt Age (700-600 BC). During ancient Roman times, Kobarid was an important stopover on the road from Aquileia to Noricum. And in Medieval times the settlement was owned by the Cividale Chapter. But Kobarid is well-known for its tumultuous past:
In 1688 a devastating fire swept through the settlement; the Turks invaded the region and Napoleon's army past through the valley. The greatest highland battle in history took place around the town during World War I. The first "blitzkrieg" of the world took place in the valley.
The Kobarid Historical Trail has been set up for visitors that are interested in the local historical, cultural and also natural points of interest. The trail is approximately five kilometres long and you can walk this in about three hours. Some interesting spots on its way are the Kobarid museum, a Roman settlement on Gradič Hill, Tonocov grad, Kozjak Waterfalls and the Napoleon Bridge.
In the small village of Zatolmin are many Cheese Houses that make their own cheeses. The owners would be pleased to give you a short explanation about the process of making cheese. When you have finished the tour, you can take a look around in their cheese cellar.
If you like hunting and fishing, Kobarid is a great place for you. There is plenty of small and big game and also a lot of fish in the rivers.
Nova Gorica
The city of Nova Gorica was only founded just after WW II (1948). According to the 6th Paris Peace Conference the city of Gorizia would become part of Italy, and as a result the Slovenian region of Goriška lost its centre. Therefore the Slovenes decided to build a new town: Nova Gorica, which in Slovenian literally means ‘New Gorizia’. However, the history of the Goriška region is very old and there are some significant archaeological sites.
The city is also known as the Slovenian Las Vegas because it attracts many tourists to its casinos, discos and entertainment centres. Locals prefer walking in the hills, with their unspoiled milieu. The city is really worth visiting, together with its Italian neighbour Gorizia, because of its historical monuments, concerts and choirs.
There is a red rose on the crest of the municipality, because this flower has an exceptional historical importance for this region: before WWI, it delivered roses to the Imperial Court in Vienna. Nowadays there are numerous roses and gardens that beautify the city.
Just on the border between Slovenia and Italy, lies Kostanjevica Hill. It houses a 17th century Franciscan monastery. Attached to the monastery is the church of the Annunciation of Our Lady. There is a crypt below the church, in which the last members of the French royal family, the Bourbons, were buried. Charles X fled from France because of the revolution in 1830. He found a safe haven in Gorizia, and in time the death.
North of the town is another Franciscan monastery on the Holy Mountain (Sveta Gora). It has attracted pilgrims for five centuries. The sight from the peak is great, and when the sky is clear, visitors can see the whole of Istria, the Dolomites, the Alps and sometimes even Venice. There are often concerts in the enormous basilica. Other buildings on the peak are the Battle of Isonzo Museum and a cosy tavern.
The charming building of Vogrsko Mansion is an excellent example of Mediterranean Baroque. The construction of the building began in the 16th century, but the building was totally renovated in the 17th century and completed in the Rococo style. Nowadays it is used for many purposes, e.g. grande cuisine, lodging and recreation.
From the Medieval castle of Rihemberk you have an impressive sight of the Vipava Valley. This valley is well-known for its wines and prosciutto. In summer the castle becomes a place for people to meet up and for various events and shows.
There are lots of things to do for outdoors sport enthusiasts, who can take pleasure in parachuting, hang-gliding and canoeing on the river Soča. River Soča is famous for the green colour of its water. Therefore, the river is also known as the Emerald Beauty. It is one of the exceptional rivers in the world that keep their clear, green colour throughout their length.
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