A border with its own significance
The border between Slovenia and Italy runs through Trg Evrope / Piazza Transalpina. The square represents coexistence between the two border cities and European integration. In this way, the border is visible not only as a geographical line, but also as a cultural theme. Nova Gorica combines modern architecture, cultural events and cross-border cooperation with Italy. The Municipality of Nova Gorica lies at the meeting point of the Mediterranean, the Alps and continental Europe; this location provides the geographical setting for the destination’s many different facets.
Castle, monastery and industrial heritage
Kromberk Castle is the main exhibition venue of the Goriški muzej. The permanent exhibitions focus on art and cultural history, alongside temporary exhibitions, lectures and symposia. The castle is surrounded by a park with an amphitheatre and open-air lapidarium. Exhibitions and events offer a variety of perspectives, while the park, amphitheatre and lapidarium are other features of the site.
The tomb of Charles X (1757–1836), the last French king of the Bourbon dynasty, is located in Kostanjevica Monastery. The tombs of five members of his family and his court minister are also there. This group of graves makes the royal burial site a tangible point of reference for European history. Another historical landmark is the Solkan Bridge: with a span of 85 metres, it is the largest stone arch bridge in the railway network worldwide. It has been protected as a technical monument since 1985. The Stara solkanska mizarska delavnica ethnological collection recalls Solkan’s historic cabinetmaking tradition.
Winegrowing and local food culture
The central part of the municipality lies in the Lower Vipava Valley winegrowing region. The rural areas of the Municipality of Nova Gorica are known for their hiking and cycling routes, vineyards and local cuisine. In the municipality, you can take wine tours and attend wine tastings to discover its rich winegrowing tradition.
The Goriški or solkanski radicchio is native to the area around Solkan. Locals call it “sukenski regut”; knowledge of its demanding cultivation is passed down from generation to generation. Winegrowing and a distinctive vegetable-growing tradition therefore go hand in hand: local food culture can be explored through wine tastings as well as a product with its own name and a cultivation tradition passed down through the generations.
Landscape and cycling options
The Banjšice Plateau is one of the natural highland areas in the Municipality of Nova Gorica. Sabotin, meanwhile, is known for its varied flora and fauna, is a popular destination for hikers and cyclists, and offers panoramic views in every direction. The cycling routes also vary in character: the Plave–Nova Gorica cycle route runs along the emerald-green Soča River at the foot of Sabotin and forms part of a cross-border network of cycling and hiking trails. The cycling loop to Sveta Gora, by contrast, is a short mountain stage with two steep climbs: from Kromberk to Ravnica and then to Sveta Gora. The riverside setting and network connection on the one hand, and the climbs described on the other, set the routes apart.
From the centre of Nova Gorica, you can reach the wider urban area of Nova Gorica, Šempeter and Italian Gorizia by bicycle within 20 minutes; local conditions may vary. More steeply sloping settlement areas, such as parts of Kromberk, are excluded.
Discover more destinations: Šempeter Pri Gorici, Nova Gorica, Solkan, Kanal, Renče, Miren, Dobrovo, Pristava, Šmartno, Branik, Kojsko, Šempas, Plave, Sela Na Krasu, Podsabotin, Zalošče, Kostanjevica na Krasu, Lokve, Prvačina, Bilje, Vitovlje, Kambreško.
For the main travel overview: Slovenia.
