The pilgrimage-historical jewel of the Tolmin area Take a walk through the forest, admire the beauties of nature, enjoy the panoramic view, learn about the heritage of the Isonzo Front, take a boat trip on the lake aboard the Lucija. The First World War outdoor museum Mengore The hill of Mengore (453 m) was part of the Tolmin bridgehead in the time of the Isonzo Front, and the Austro-Hungarian first line of defence ran across it. Today, an outdoor museum is arranged here. Listen to the stories about the life of soldiers on the Isonzo Front and take a walk along the circular path past numerous caves, memorials, a water reservoir, remains of cabins and the onetime military cemetery, all to the pilgrimage church of the Holy Virgin's Name on the top of the hill. The Way of the Cross by M. Rupnik and the pilgrimage church of the Holy Virgin's Name Visit the church of the Holy Virgin with paintings by Tone Kralj and his wife Mara Kralj on Mengore hill, which has been closely related to the destiny of the people in the Tolmin area and the Upper Soča region ever since the 14th century. Ottoman inroads, plagues of locusts, poor harvests due to droughts, earthquakes and other natural and historical disasters drove people to seek protection of the Holy Virgin. Visit the rally place of Tolmin peasant rebels, where they planned their fight for the old justice. In 1932, stations of the Way of the Cross in the form of chapels were built along the path to Mengore hill, but were later pulled down. Nowadays, they again attract visitors with scenes of the Way of the Cross executed in mosaic by the painter Marko Rupnik. The Tolmin peasant revolt Try and explore the great Tolmin peasant revolt, which was the last major one on the Slovenian territory. It began in 1713 as a revolt against the increased state taxes on the sale of meat and wine. Since the peasants were unable to pay, the debt collector, named Bandel, had some of them imprisoned in Gorizia. This triggered a wave of reactions among the peasants, which eventually resulted in this famous peasant revolt. Learn about the cruel fate of the rebels who were after the suppression of the revolt either executed or jailed, and many other were imposed penalties. A boat trip aboard the Lucija A boat trip aboard the Lucija on the river Soča, which is dammed to form a bluish-green accumulation lake near Most na Soči, is an additional attraction of the tour. During the calm trip the captain will provide for a good atmosphere and tell you a local legend with an almost happy end. The boat trip is possible in any weather condition except in case of the storm north-east wind (bora). You can also have a lunch on the boat. Tour duration: 4,5 6 hours
foto: Janko Humar, LTO Sotočje foto: Janko Humar, LTO Sotočje foto: JŽeljko Cimprič foto: Janko Humar, LTO Sotočje foto: Tomaž Ovčak A hidden nook in the Triglav National Park Enjoy the beauties of unspoiled nature, breathe the fresh mountain air, learn about the history of the Isonzo Front, find out the cheese-making secrets and listen to the stories about the already forgotten resourceful shepherds. The memorial church of the Holy Spirit at Javorca plateau It was constructed in the time of the Isonzo Front by the hands of Austro-Hungarian soldiers and funded by their donations in order to preserve the memory of their fallen comrades. During the War, a holy mass was celebrated every Sunday and the church was visited in harmony by all, the Catholics, the Protestants, the Orthodox, the Jews, the Muslims and even by the atheists, since they had a chance there to forget the horrors of war for a short spell of time at least. Try and discover on your own that the church, situated in the exceptional natural scenery of the Julian Alps, is not only a unique artistic monument but a symbol of harmony and peace. It was assigned the European Heritage Label in 2007. Fortifications at Polog On signing the Treaty of Rapallo in 1920, Italy annexed the west part of the Slovenian territory, which later, until 1947, fell under different authorities. In the Upper Soča Region, along the border with the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, the Kingdom of Italy began to construct a system of fortifications and barracks. At the well-preserved combat block at Polog, which is also an entrance to the multi-level fortification, you are invited to examine a system of long and branched tunnels. The mountain pasture of Polog At the end of May, farmers drive their herds and flocks from the valleys up to the mountains and the mountain pastures in the Upper Soča Region come to life. The traditional cheese- and curd making starts. Of the former seventy mountain pastures only twenty are still active nowadays. Try and find out the cheesemaking secrets on the mountain pasture of Polog and taste the cheese named Tolminc. Let the stories of the herdsman Ludvik take you to the times which, in spite of poverty and shortage, abounded in fun and adventures. In the vicinity, there is also the source of the Tolminka which is worth seeing particularly in the time of a greater water amount. Tour duration: 3 5 hours
foto: Srdjan Živulović foto: Tadej Koren foto: Marko Razpet Inspiring proximity of the majestic Mt. Krn Enjoy the magnificent view, breathe the fresh mountain air and admire the beauties of unspoiled nature, have a taste of life on the mountain pasture, learn about the heritage of the Isonzo Front. The Triglav National Park Take a walk through the Triglav National Park, which apart from the Krn range also encompasses two valleys in the Upper Soča Region, i.e. Trenta and Lepena, then the Tolmin gorge, where it reaches the lowest altitude, the ecological village of Čadrg, and the Tolmin Bohinj mountains. It belongs to the oldest and the most beautiful European natural parks. The village Trenta hosts the Information center of the Triglav National Park and the museum. The First World War outdoor museum Zaprikraj The well fortified onetime Italian line in the Krn range offers an insight into the organization of Italian defence. Take a walk along the well preserved and partly restored trenches, explore the caves and have a brief look at the life of soldiers on the Isonzo Front. The outdoor museum Zaprikraj (1259 m) is located within the Triglav National Park area and in the vicinity of still living mountain pastures. In addition to the history of the First World War it also offers many trekking pleasures in the beautiful, unspoiled nature. The village of Drežnica Visit the picturesque village under Mt. Krn which has been twice declared the most beautiful mountain place in Slovenia. It is also noted for its very beautiful and big parish pilgrimage church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was built in 1912. A restored water mill near the village is open to visitors, there are also two wonderful waterfalls and the Koseška korita gorge. Drežnica is also typical for its carnival with wooden masks, a custom which in a genuine way continues a very ancient tradition. Private museum collection of the First World War There are several enthusiasts in the Soča Region who have collected the remains of the Isonzo Front for many years and staged rich museum collections in their homes. Take a close look at a variety of objects and listen to the stories of oral tradition which are willingly told by the collectors, supported by their extensive knowledge. Tour duration: 6 7 hours /medium demanding
foto: Peter Kelih foto: Tomaž Ovčak Historical trekking tour to Mt. Mrzli vrh Enjoy the panoramic view, breathe the fresh mountain air and admire the beauties of nature, have a taste of life on the high-mountain pasture and learn about the heritage of the Isonzo Front. The First World War outdoor museum Mrzli vrh During the ascent to Mt. Mrzli vrh (1359 m) the trekkers move amidst the remains of the Italian and the Austro-Hungarian first lines of defence. The slope of Mt. Mrzli vrh was the bloodiest battlefield of the Upper Soča Region in the First World War. The ridge is crisscrossed with numerous trenches and caves. In one of the Austro-Hungarian caves you can still see the altar which was erected by the Hungarian soldiers. Mountain pastures There are numerous mountain pastures in the Upper Soča Region; sheep graze on those of the Bovec area, and cows on those of the Tolmin and Kobarid areas. These mountain pastures come to life in summertime. Farmers drive their herds and flocks from the valleys up to the mountains and the old, traditional cheeseand curd making starts. In the vicinity of Mt. Mrzli vrh, you can get some insight into cheese-making secrets on the mountain pastures of Pretovč, Sleme and Polog. The memorial church of the Holy Spirit at Javorca plateau It was constructed in the time of the Isonzo Front by the hands of Austro-Hungarian soldiers and funded by their donations in order to preserve the memory of their fallen comrades. During the War, a holy mass was celebrated every Sunday and the church was visited in harmony by all, the Catholics, the Protestants, the Orthodox, the Jews, the Muslims and even by the atheists, since they had a chance there to forget the horrors of war for a short spell of time at least. Try and discover on your own that the church, situated in the exceptional natural scenery of the Julian Alps, is not only a unique artistic monument but a symbol of harmony and peace. It was assigned the European Heritage Label in 2007. Tour duration: 7 hours /medium demanding
Discovering the past of the historical place of Kobarid The Kobarid Museum, the Kobarid Historical Trail, the archaeological site of Tonocov grad, the Museum of Alpine-dairy cheesemaking in the Dairy Planika. The Kobarid Museum The museum offers to visitors a most extensive account of the Isonzo Front and the mountain warfare in the Julian Alps and of the Twelfth Isonzo Battle, named also the Battle of Kobarid. It was awarded the highest Slovenian award for museums the Valvasor Prize and the Council of Europe Museum Prize. The Kobarid Historical Trail The five kilometers long trail combines historical, archaeological and natural points of interest in the surroundings of Kobarid and is suitable for any visitor. The historical heritage along the trail ranges from prehistorical times to the period after the Second World War; certainly the most important periods to be met are the time of the migration of Barbaric tribes, the Napoleonic military campaigns and the time of the Great War and its aftermath. From among the natural beauties, the gorge of the emerald Soča and the Kozjak fall are the most magnificent. The archaeological site of Tonocov grad Tonocov grad is a rocky hill above the Soča near Kobarid. Having natural protection, the location was settled for long centuries. Tonocov grad played the most important role from the 4th to the 6th century and during the period of the migration of peoples. The settlement, built at the end of the 5th century, had more than twenty residential houses and several churches. The rich finds rank Tonocov grad among the best preserved late-antiquity settlements located on higher altitudes in the East Alps. Museum of Alpine-dairy cheesemaking in the Dairy Planika Presented in this historical-ethnological collection is the heritage of Alpine pasturing and alps and the tradition of cheese-making in the Soča Region. The central part of the collection features an alp abode, with all the required equipment for cheese making on the alps, and a fifteen-minute film which vividly presents the work and life on the alps in the past and in the present as well as the processing of milk into cheese and other dairy products in the present Dairy Planika. Tour duration: 6 to 6.5 hours
The Kolovrat outdoor history classroom The First World War Outdoor Museum Kolovrat, the story of Erwin Rommel, the story of Ernest Hemingway, the panoramic view, flora and fauna, ornithology. The First World War Outdoor Museum Kolovrat Within the framework of its third line of defence the Italian army built a whole system of defence- and gun positions and observation posts on the Kolovrat range. Part of the positions on the slope of the hill Na gradu (1115 m) were restored and arranged as an outdoor museum. Opening from the ridge of the Kolovrat range is an exceptional view over the onetime battlefield of the Isonzo Front from Mt. Kanin, over the Krn range to Mt. Sveta Gora; in the opposite direction, the view reaches over the Friuli-Venezia Giulia all to the Adriatic sea. All the time a visitor has a feeling that he/ she stands on a privileged vantage point, at the contact of two completely different worlds, which, however, are strongly interdependent and bound to interact. The state border, which for centuries ran along these ridges and shaped the destiny of local population, did not only separate the people from either side but also connected them due to their common culture, mere survival and the proverbial disobedience to remote centres of political and economic power. Therefore even the smugglers or contrabanders, who were quite numerous in the mountainous world, can be taken as transferors of culture and different lifestyles, since this is the area of the contact of two large cultural systems the Slavic and the Romance. Flora and fauna on the Kolovrat range On the sunny slopes, which drain to the Nadiža river basin, several plant species grow which demonstrate the sub-mediterranean influence and concurrently the proximity of the Julian Alps. Especially during the migration seasons, i.e. spring and late autumn, the Kolovrat range is also suitable for birdwatching. Listening to and watching birds in the area of Kobariško blato The area of Kobariško blato belongs to the ecological network of Natura 2000. From the viewpoint of landscape it is exceptionally diverse and it is an important nesting area of different birds. The unique nesting area of grey heron adds a special feature to this place. Tour duration: 2.5 to 3 hours