The Solkan Bridge’s stone arch spans 85 metres, bringing engineering history to life: it is the largest stone arch on a railway bridge anywhere in the world. Alongside the bridge, you’ll find architecture, activities on the Soča and regional food culture. You can tailor your stay to focus more on architecture, outdoor activities or culinary discoveries.

Bridge, architecture and history

The Solkan Bridge has been protected as a technical monument since 1985. Its span and protected status give engineering history a tangible place in your travel plans, without requiring you to add another stop to your itinerary.

Villa Bartolomei is a two-storey late Baroque building. The ground floor features a stone portal, while the first floor has an iron balcony. Outside regular opening hours, the villa can be visited by prior reservation. Arrange such a visit before you arrive.

The present-day Church of St Stephen in Solkan was built in 1566 and remodelled in the Baroque style in 1657. Another way to explore the town’s history is the ethnological collection “Stara solkanska mizarska delavnica,” which recalls Solkan’s longstanding carpentry tradition. Together, the church, late Baroque architecture and local craftsmanship represent different aspects of the area’s cultural heritage.

Activities on the Soča

Soča Fun Park is on the right bank of the Soča in Solkan. It has five courses with 55 different elements. There is a dedicated area for children aged five to nine; the central area, at a height of three to twelve metres, is designed for teenagers and adults. As the course layout may change, check the current setup before your visit.

The Solkan Kayak Centre on the Soča is Slovenia’s national whitewater kayaking centre and hosts national and international competitions. It offers kayaking lessons, rafting, guided tours and equipment rental. Services may change; if you have a particular activity in mind, check the current offering in advance.

Bungee jumping from the road bridge in Solkan is also offered by a local operator; it has been available there since 1993.

Riverside area and hiking route

On the left bank of the Soča in Solkan, there is a prepared, easily accessible area that offers a place to cool off in summer. It provides a seasonal alternative to the watersports on offer. Water conditions and access rules may change; check both before visiting.

Above Solkan, the hiking route to Sveta Gora passes through tunnels and trenches from the First World War. The historical connection is part of the trail itself. The route and riverside area offer different experiences: a hike among wartime relics or a chance to cool off in summer. Trail conditions and access may change; check the latest situation before setting out.

Regional food culture and visitor information

Goriški radič, also known as “sukénski régut,” is a local speciality. Its cultivation has been preserved particularly in the area around Solkan. To prepare it, the plants are dug up in late autumn and placed in warm indoor spaces so they can form heads. Both this seasonal work and the distinctive preparation are part of the area’s culinary heritage.

A mobility hub has been set up at a turning area in Solkan, with charging stations for electric cars and bicycles, as well as a smart bench. Infrastructure and facilities may change. If you plan to use these amenities, check their current status.

Discover more destinations: Nova Gorica, Kostanjevica na Krasu, Plave, Miren, Lokve, Dobrovo, Branik, Vitovlje.

Return to the main travel guide: Nova Gorica.