Discover Savogna D'isonzo: Rivers, Trails and History

Savogna D'isonzo combines a multifaceted history with a landscape between two rivers. The municipality includes flat and alluvial areas between the Isonzo, the Soča, and the Vipacco, the Vipava, south of Gorizia. At the same time, historic traces lead to fortifications, churches, a Roman bridge and paths through the green landscape on the edge of the Karst. Anyone wishing to combine culture and outdoor activities on holiday will find a range of options here for planning each day.

Historic Trails through Landscape and Memory

The historic Brestovec Trail is a well-signposted and easy-to-walk educational historical circular route. After parking at the sports ground in San Michele del Carso, you can reach the trail on foot by following the signposted route to Brestovec. A particularly notable section is the Cannoniera. It is fully open to visitors and contains historic installations featuring stories about the life of an Italian soldier and an Austro-Hungarian soldier. The trail therefore becomes not only a hike, but also an encounter with the different perspectives of the past.

The Monte San Michele fortification in the hamlet of Cotici includes six bunker positions and other ancillary structures. On the Monte Škofnik foothill, the PCO offers views of the Gorizia threshold, the Vipacco Valley and the Lokvica plateau. The view also extends towards the sea near Monfalcone. The individual sites represent different travel experiences: one focuses on military history and landscapes, while another follows a trail that directly reveals the historic traces.

Castles, Churches and Roman Traces

Castello di Rubbia was built between the 15th and 16th centuries on the foundations of older fortifications. This site is also connected with an episode from 1563: Primož Trubar, a Protestant preacher, found shelter at Castello di Rubbia in order to present his reformist ideas to the local population. The Il Carso goriziano circular route allocates 30 minutes to Castel Rubbia.

The churches also tell the story of the region's changes. The new Church of San Martino Vescovo was built in 1927. The presbytery of the previous building, which had been largely destroyed during the First World War, survived and was integrated into the new structure. The parish church of San Martino Vescovo also contains an altarpiece dated 1930, depicting Saint Martin and the beggar. The Church of Gabria was damaged during the First World War; it is said to have been rebuilt in the 18th century. In addition, the remains of a Roman bridge on the Isonzo point to the existence of a Roman road that led from the Friulian plain via Renče towards central Slovenia.

Walks, Water and Cycling Routes

In the hamlets of Rupa, Peci and Gabria on the edge of the Karst, there are numerous opportunities for walks and trails through the green landscape. For a travel group with different interests, one day can be planned around the historic Brestovec Trail, while another day can focus on landscapes and outdoor activities. Kayaking or inflatable-boat trips are possible on the calmer section of the Vipacco River between Gabria and Rubbia, as far as its confluence with the Isonzo. Anyone wishing to explore the region by bicycle can consider the Great War Ring, route R047, which passes through Savogna D'isonzo on the way to Gorizia.

In San Michele del Carso lies the Kraljica Krasa cave, also called Regina del Carso, behind the shelter of the speleological group Kraški krti – Talpe del Carso. In the associated municipality, its entrance can be reached from San Michele del Carso by following the signs for the historic trail to Brestovec; it lies behind the Talpe del Carso speleological hut. These different destinations make it worthwhile to decide on your preferred travel pace first when choosing your holiday apartment: Should the focus be on historic sites, walks, a cycling tour or a water activity?

For further orientation, you can also visit the pages on Cormòns, Grado, Monfalcone, Ronchi Dei Legionari, Capriva Del Friuli, Gabria, Gorizia and Pieris.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Gorizia.