Nova Gorica, the youngest town in Slovenia

Today Solkan forms part of Nova Gorica, the youngest town in Slovenia. Solkan lies below Sabotin on the spot where the Soča River crosses the state boundary. A Roman fortification, to which Solkan owes its name, once stood here.

Gorica was built on a former swampland after the Second World War, when it was finally decided that Gorizia would remain in Italy. The boundary between the two cities (Gorizia and New Gorica) runs along the railway line.

Several villages are scattered across the hills below the Trnovo Forest. Worth mentioning is Kromberk with its 17th century castle, today the home of the Gorica Museum.

Dornberk is the meeting point of four roads and three railway lines. The road and railway line running in the direction of Sežana are squeezed into the narrow Braniška dolina (Branik Valley). The village of Branik lies in the widened part of the valley. On a slope overlooking the village is Rihemberk Castle.

Only one kilometer further the road and railway line turn sharply uphill into the southern slopes of Braniška dolina towards Štanjel in the Karst.

So that is all from the youngest town in Slovenia.

From Nova Gorica back to The Karst