Get acquainted with the city of Gorizia/Gorica, which has been nominated alongside Nova Gorica as the “European Capital of Culture 2025”. World War I memorials are still clearly manifest here, whether in the historic centre of the city or on the surrounding hills, where numerous battles took place between 1915 and 1916.
The stage starts in the symbolic square Piazza della Transalpina/Trg Evrope. From here, the route takes you along Via Caprin, Via Monte Santo, Via degli Orzoni and Via don Bosco. You will soon reach the bridge (Ponte del Torrione) over the Isonzo (Soča) River and a nearby monument commemorating the Sixth Isonzo Battle. You continue towards Piuma/Pevma and the Italian Charnel House at Oslavia/Oslavje, where more than 57,000 soldiers are buried.
At the foot of the stairs leading to the Charnel House, go left along the forest path. In the Bosco Piuma forest the trail slightly descends until it reaches the CAI 98 trail (Vallone dell’Acqua).
At this point, turn right, leave Gorizia behind and after about a hundred metres turn left, where a slightly ascending path leads to the top of the hill Monte Calvario/Kalvarija (270 m). Lush vegetation embellishes this area today, but from 1915 through 1916, these slopes were the scene of fierce combats between Italian and Austro-Hungarian soldiers. Commemorating them are monuments that were built in the 1920s and 1930s.
After a well-deserved break, during which you can enjoy the panoramic view over Gorizia and the surrounding mountains, descend towards Piedimonte/Podgora. On reaching the first houses, turn right towards the underpass Baruzzi. Since there is no pavement, pay attention to traffic! After that, turn left towards the bridge Ponte 8 Agosto which leads back to the centre of Gorizia.
After leaving the railway station area and walking along Corso Italia for a few minutes, you will reach the historic city centre where the Giardini Pubblici park is located; there are two monuments dedicated to an infantry soldier and to Enrico Toti, respectively. The ascent along Via D’Annunzio takes you to the medieval part of the city, Borgo Castello, where besides the castle there are several museums, including the World War I Museum.
Continue towards the castle. Behind the castle, a path descends towards Via Giorgio Bombi where you turn left to Via Pompeo Giustiniani. After a few hundred metres, turn right and reach the former border crossing Rafut, where the Museum Collection Pristava (Museum of Smuggling) is on the Slovenian side, and the Museum Rafut is emerging on the Italian side. When you reach Slovenia, the last ascent is on the way, leading to the Franciscan monastery Kostanjevica. From there, on the other side of the hill, descend to Nova Gorica and back to Trg Evrope/Piazza della Transalpina.
Public transport:
APT Gorizia (city lines)
Gorizia/Gorica–Nova Gorica
City bus―Line 1 (APT Gorizia): direction Štandrež–CIP/Railway station–Montesanto and back. This line runs through the entire historic centre of Gorizia, from the passenger centre Centro Intermodale Passeggeri (CIP) to Piazza della Transalpina/Trg Evrope; every 15 minutes.
For Lucinico/Ločnik:
City bus―Line 2 (APT Gorizia)
CIRCOLARE ROSSA ESTERNA: Central Post Office (Posta Centrale)–Mossa–Hospital (Ospedale)–Central Post Office (Posta Centrale)
City bus―Line 4 (APT Gorizia)
CIRCOLARE NERA ESTERNA: Central Post Office (Posta Centrale)–Hospital (Ospedale)–Mossa
International line (Cross-border city bus): Gorizia/Gorica–Nova Gorica
This route connects the CIP passenger centre in Gorizia with the bus station in Nova Gorica. The only cross-border line.
For Oslavia/Oslavje:
Intercity line APT Gorizia G09: direction San Floriano del Collio/Števerjan
Parking (start and end point of the stage): Square Piazza della Transalpina/Trg Evrope
Gorizia Infopoint
Corso Italia, 9
I–34170 Gorizia
+39 0481 535764
info.gorizia@promoturismo.fvg.it
www.turismofvg.it
Centro visitatori “Walk of Peace”, IAT Fogliano Redipuglia
(The Walk of Peace Visitor Centre, IAT Fogliano Redipuglia)
Via III Armata, 37
I–34070 Fogliano Redipuglia (GO)
+39 0481 489139, +39 346 176 1913
info@prolocofoglianoredipuglia.it
http://www.prolocofoglianoredipuglia.it/
