Nova Gorica New adventures - Slovenia

Here, the
mountains come
down onto the plain, Alpine
rivers calm themselves, the air
from the sea mixes with the air
coming from the continent, the flysch
soil sits on limestone, deciduous trees
mingle with coniferous trees, littoral
flowers with mountain sprigs,
chamois with roebucks,
songbirds with birds of
prey...
Nova Gorica and Solkan
Beauty between mountains
and the sea
Nova Gorica is a town at the crossroads of the World. This
is where Germanic, Romanic and Slavic cultures have been
intertwined and a Jewish presence still remains. This is
where armies have entrenched themselves in and fired
upon each other, this is where soldiers of numerous nations
rushed into glory or their deaths. This is where there are
fields, orchards, vineyards, meadows and pastureland, this
is where cows, goats, sheep, pigs and hens are bred, this
is where apples, chestnuts, figs and olive trees are grown,
and local people know how to cure meat products, make
cheese and nurture wine. Here, one can study, produce,
trade, relax, and be entertained.
Here, visitors can be offered many things. Nova Gorica and
its surroundings attract its visitors with landscaped parks,
scenes of natural beauty, technical monuments, a wide-
-spread network of trekking paths and roads, suitable for
road and mountain biking or riding on horseback.
Those who are more courageous will row on the rapids of
the Soča river, bungee jump from a bridge tied by rope and
visit the adrenalin park there. Extraordinary gliding conditions
pose a challenge to parachute jumpers and hang-glider
pilots, the precipitous walls above Lijak are an invitation to
climbers. Festival days in the countryside are a revival of old
customs and presentation of local specialties. There are also
museums, galleries, a theatre, art centre, casinos, entertainment
centres, hotels. And everywhere there are hospitable
gostilnas and restaurants where a rich culinary offer is
supplemented with a wide selection of excellent wines.

Square of Europe
Sveta Gora
Relaxation and cultural
exploration
Nova Gorica and its surrounding area are welcoming in all
seasons. The city with a modern urban design is arranged
with parks, numerous benches invite passers-by to socialize,
chat under the crowns of mighty trees, or make a stop in
one of the many bars. We can admire buildings designed
by the leading Slovenian post-war architects, stop by to visit
an exhibition, leaf through domestic and world newspapers
in the France Bevk Public Library or go up to Kostanjevica
where the Franciscan monastery in the Stanislav Škrabec
Library keeps numerous old books or incunabula. This is
where a crypt may be visited with stone coffins holding the
mortal remains of the last representatives of French royal
family of the Bourbons, who died in exile. The monastery
with the Church of the Annunciation and the nearby railway
station of once important but today a branch Alpine or
Bohinj railway line belong to buildings older than the city
itself. The foundation stone of Nova Gorica was laid only on
13 June 1948 when the then regional centre, Gorica (Gorizia
in Italian), became a part of Italy. A museum next to the
cross-border Square of Europe is a witness of times when the
two States were separated by barbed wire and, today, this is
where various events of both cities are frequently held, from
joint blood donor campaigns to concerts.
The crypts of the Bourbons
Casinò Perla

For your taste buds
During the evening and night time, Nova Gorica becomes
alive with a different rhythm. Casinos, arcades and night
clubs invite visitors desiring relaxation and entertainment.
One person might bet on numbers, another on cards and
the third finds a challenge in slot machines. In pleasant
company, with a good restaurant food selection and unique
drinks, the night likes to be drawn into the morning. The
culinary offer of Nova Gorica and its surroundings is exceptionally
varied. Everyday dishes include vegetable soups,
polenta with various sauces, and pasta. A menu is enriched
with seasonal produce such as radicchio (chicory) of Gorica,
asparagus, cherries, peaches, pears, mushrooms, chestnuts.
Nobody can resist the seafood, fish and game. Young people
swear by pizza, the sweet-toothed on potica with nuts, some
just want a steak, others all sorts of foods: gostilnas in the city
and its surroundings satisfy everybody.

Old recipes
are based on an
exchange of nutritional
customs held by nations
living here, the new ones
on the creativity of
chefs.
The visitor looking for really fresh vegetables or fruit must
stop at the market where, simultaneously with the selected
goods, he will also receive free-of-charge advice on preserving
zucchini or preparing jam. The majority of vegetable-
-sellers come from towns in the Vipava Valley where fertile
and tillable soil enables diverse agricultural activity. Some
farms have also gone along the route of tourism: symbols of
hospitality are a slice of home-made prosciutto, a piece of
bread from the baker's oven and a glass of wine. Vineyards
from the Nova Gorica region belong to the wine-growing
region of the lower Vipava Valley where constant winds, the
vicinity of the sea, the reflection of the sun from steep slopes,
the flysch soil and long tradition co-create extraordinary
conditions for the production of white and red wines. Some
varieties are indigenous, others have been granted the right
to a homeland with repeating good vintages. Dry and gentle
wines of distinctive aroma and with full body are predominant
but also sparkling wines and sweet wines are popular.
Do not miss trying our specialties such as Mejína or Klarnica,
Zelen, Pinela, Rebula and Malvazija, while you are also invited
to discover the local characteristics of Chardonnay, Pinot varieties,
Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet, Barbera. Wine-growers
along the wine road like to open their cellars to visitors and
invite them for wine-tasting, and a wider selection of local
wines is enabled in exemplary organised wine shops and at
the annual Wine Festival in Šempas.

The Trnovo Forest
The symbol
of Nova Gorica
is a rose but it
could also be a
forest.
Get away to find
extraordinary activity
The most handy forest for the citizens is Panovec with its forest
nature trail, and Trnovo Forest for the excursionist. The area is
sparsely inhabited but frequently visited. It is at the northern
edge of the Karst Dinarides (Dinaric Alps) with prevailing
mixed forests of beech and Norway spruce, with larger and
smaller meadows or pastures and modest fields. Herb growing
has been developing in recent years and limited possibilities
for agriculture have stimulated the development of other activities.
The hamlet Voglarji owes its name to once widely spread
charcoal-burning, the place name Glažuta reminds us of the
glass industry, and the longest Slovenian village Lokovec was
known for blacksmiths, during long nights, wooden pails
and other wooden ware were made in Lokve, and principally,
timber was transported from woods as well as ice which could
have been cut in deep Karst caves far into the summer. The
most famous ice cave is Paradana which is as much as 1550 m
long and 385 m deep: its entry area is open for tourist visits.
Numerous forest trails, earth tracks and paths are a real
paradise for mountain bikers and hikers in all seasons: they
look forward to raspberries in summer, they may pick some
mushrooms in autumn and measure distances on cross-country
skies in winter. Fresh air and wonderful panoramas make
these activities a joy.

History intertwined with
astonishing nature
The oldest settlement in the Goriška region is Solkan; the
Charter given by the Emperor Oton III from 1001 signifies that
it used to be a larger town then. At the edge of Solkan, there
is a railway bridge with the longest arch made of cut stone
in the world. It was constructed in 1905, demolished during
World War I, later restored and declared a technical monument
in 1985. Next to it, there is a modern concrete bridge for road
transport. This is where there is also the starting point to visit
the Sabotin Park of Peace. The mountain, which is famous
for its extremely diverse vegetation and which offers nesting
sites to rare birds, was the scene of numerous battles in World
War I. The remains of trenches, supply lines (called mulatjera
in Slovenian), tunnels and canon galleries are a silent witness
to the slaughter which demanded thousands of young lives.
Mountain trails lead along and through some of them. Stories
of the heroism of defenders and attackers are still alive but it
seems more and more that they do belong to another time.
After a visit to a War Museum on Sabotin and in Solkan it
seems that the thunder of cannons can again be heard but
the snow-covered peaks seen in their whiteness to the North
and the surface of the sea glimmering to the South teach
us that the only true value is Peace. The urge to peace is also
heard from the bells of the Basilica of the Assumption of Mary
on Sveta Gora where there is a pilgrimage path, almost half a
millennium old, visited by believers from far and near. Many
also visit the Mariano museum, the international Christmas
crib exhibition attracts many at Christmas time and, the Easter
egg exhibition at Easter.
The Solkan bridge
Adrenalin park

The Kromberk Castle
Open doors are found
everywhere
Exhibitions and lectures taking place in Kromberk castle
unveil a vivid history of the broader Goriška region. The
building constructed in the Renaissance style has actually
never been a real castle, it was more a comfortable mansion
of the Count family Coronini-Cronberg who used to live here.
The only preserved castle is the mighty Rihemberk Castle
above Branik which may only be visited from the outside.
There are few old buildings or they were so reconstructed
that its former brilliance can scarcely be recognised. Farms
and churches in the countryside are more interesting,
expressing the perfect harmony of people and nature. A
day in Nova Gorica and its surroundings is the right decision
for everybody and for anyone. Even better if more time is
allocated for learning about the city and its hinterland. You
can come by bike, with hiking or mountaineering shoes, in
a track suit or in evening dress, with a parachute and kayak,
with diving equipment and skis: everything will come in
handy! But most of all, come good-tempered. We will take
care of the rest.
Klavdij Tutta, a painter

Calendar of Events
March
April
April, May
May
May
May
May, June
June
June
June
June
June, July
June, July, August
July
July
July
July, August
August
September
September
October
November
December
December, January
December
Wine Festival, Slovenia's precious heritage in Šempas
»Furnga« from Trnovo plateau to Nova Gorica
City of Youth in Nova Gorica
The Rose Festival in Nova Gorica
March from Lijak to Sekulak through the villages of Šmihel, Ozeljan, Šempas, Vitovlje, Osek
Open Wine Cellars' Day of the Lower Vipava Valley
Music from the Gardens of St. Francis in the Kostanjevica Monastery in Nova Gorica
Tabor musical evenings in Tabor
The Festival of Roses in Nova Gorica
The Lime tree Festival – Forma viva in Lokve
National Day and Midsummer's Eve in Vitovlje
International Gathering of Saxophone Players in Nova Gorica
Summer events in Nova Gorica
»Mohorjevo« in Šempas
»Polenta« festival in Ozeljan
Mowing Festival in Banjšice
Peach Festival in Prvačina
»B'ndimska kvatrnica« in Branik
Municipal Day of the Nova Gorica Municipality
The Soča Kayak-Race from Solkan to Piedimonte (I)
Chestnut Festival in Vitovlje
St. Martin’s festivities in Ozeljan
Pixxelpoint in Nova Gorica and Gorizia (I)
International Exhibition of Christmas Cribs in Sveta Gora
New Year's Eve Open-Air Party in Nova Gorica

BOVEC
AVČE
Cultural and historical
monuments
KANAL
KANALSKI VRH
Lašček
Natural sights
Viewpoints
Hiking
Cycling
Kayaking
Soča
DESKLE
GRGARSKE
RAVNE
BATE
Zaškol
BATE
Sleme
Kuk
BANJŠICE
Smrdikovec
Zagorelec
B A N J Š I C E
Volnik
LOKOVEC
O
Koprivnik
V
A
S K
N
O L
I D
ČEPOVAN
LAZINA
P
Paragliding and
Hang gliding
Horse Riding
BRDA
Sabotin
Vodice
Sveta Gora
GRGAR
Č
Bezgov hrib
E
Škol
LOKVE
G O V C I
Poldanovec
Fishing
Sports centre
Wine tasting and wine sale
Horticulture, floriculture
and herbalism
Orchards
Osmica
Places to eat
Congress centre
ITALIJA
ITALIA
GORICA
GORIZIA
BENETKE
VENEZIA
MILAN
MILANO
TRST
TRIESTE
MIREN
Vrtojbica
NOVA
GORICA
ROŽNA
DOLINA
VRTOJBA
BILJE
Soča
SOLKAN
KROMBERK
ŠEMPETER PRI GORICI
BUKOVICA
Škabrijel
Panovec
VOLČJA DRAGA
Lijak
RAVNICA
AJŠEVICA
VOGRSKO
LOKE
Lijak
VOGLARJI
VOGLARSKA PLANOTA
Kobilnik
TRNOVO
Skozno
ŠMIHEL
OZELJAN
ŠEMPAS
Vogršček
T R
Kuk
VITOVLJE
OSEK
NEMCI
N O
V
Črni vrh
S
Kopitnik
Vitovski hrib
K
I
G
O
PARADANA
Z
D
LJUBLJANA
AJDOVŠČINA
Tourist farm
Vipava
RENČE
GRADIŠČE
V I P A V S K A D O L I N A
PRVAČINA DORNBERK ZALOŠČE
Casino
TABOR
POTOK
SAKSID
Vipava
STESKE PRESERJE
Accommodation
Branica
PEDROVO
Camp
Motorhome rest area
Taxi
EUROPE
Slovenia
I
A
A
SLOVENIA
Nova Gorica
H
CRO
CRO
Šumka
BRANIK
SEŽANA
SPODNJA
BRANICA
Tourist Information

Info
Nova Gorica Tourist Information Centre
Delpinova ulica 18 b, SI – 5000 Nova Gorica
T: +386 (0)5 330 46 00
F: +386 (0)5 330 46 06
tzticng@siol.net
www.novagorica-turizem.com
Nova Gorica Tourist Board
Ulica tolminskih puntarjev 4, SI - 5000 Nova Gorica
T: +386 (0)5 330 46 02
T: +386 (0)5 330 46 04
F: +386 (0)5 330 46 05
Nova Gorica Municipality
Trg Edvarda Kardelja 1, SI - 5000 Nova Gorica
T: +386 (0)5 335 01 11
F: +386 (0)5 302 12 33
mestna.obcina@nova-gorica.si
www.nova-gorica.si
Emergency Medical Service
Rejčeva ulica 4, SI - 5000 Nova Gorica
T: +386 (0)5 338 33 33
Pharmacy
Rejčeva ulica 2, SI-5000 Nova Gorica
T: +386 (0)5 330 34 40
Bus Station
Kidričeva ulica 22, SI - 5000 Nova Gorica
T: +386 (0)5 330 31 33
Railway Station
Kolodvorska pot 8, SI - 5000 Nova Gorica
T: +386 (0)5 296 37 00
T: +386 (0)5 296 39 18
www.slo-zeleznice.si
Fire and Rescue Service
T: 112
Police Station
T: 113
Traffic report
T: 1970, +386 (0)1 518 85 18
Roadside Assistance
T: 1987
Currency
Euro
Time Zone
GMT + 1
Telephone Dialling Codes
Slovenia +386, Nova Gorica (0)5
Airports (distance from Nova Gorica)
Jože Pučnik (Ljubljana) – 125 km
Trieste (I) – 33 km
Klagenfurt (A) – 221 km
Venice (I) – 135 km
Treviso (I) – 147 km
Major Cities (distance from Nova Gorica)
Ljubljana – 108 km
Maribor – 235 km
Koper – 90 km
Bovec – 72 km
Trieste (I) – 53 km
Milano (I) – 399 km
Udine (I) – 43 km
Venice (I) – 146 km
Klagenfurt (A) – 215 km

Turistična zveza - Turistični informacijski center Nova Gorica
Nova Gorica Tourist Board - Tourist Information Centre
Delpinova ulica 18 b
SI-5000 Nova Gorica
T: +386 (0)5 330 46 00
F: +386 (0)5 330 46 06
tzticng@siol.net
www.novagorica-turizem.com
Published by: Nova Gorica Tourist Board - Tourist Information Centre
Editorial board: Dejana Baša
Text written by: Toni Gomišček
Translation: Perspektive, Maja Vitežnik s.p.
Design: Rogač RMV
Photography: Marjan Močivnik, Mirko Bijuklič, Leo Caharija, Doris Jug Cigoj
Print: A-media d.o.o. 2012
Number of copies: 4.000