Escort while discovering the region
Let me be your guide while you’re discovering our picturesque region – let me tell you some interesting facts while you’re admiring the stunning views and enjoying delicious local food and wines.
- whole-day escort
- relaxed and fun atmosphere while discovering the region
- help with the organization – contacts for wine makers, restaurants… (paid 30 € extra)
- complete customization to your wishes
Most popular route for groups:
- ascend the viewing tower Gonjače – views from Adriatic sea to Julian Alps, from Slovenia to Italy
- guided tour of Šmartno – from a mighty fortress to an idyllic village today
- lunch in chosen restaurant
- scenic drive through the picturesque landscape (see Dobrovo castle, Medana with its cultural heritage, Gredič manor)
- guided tour of Vila Vipolže, most beautiful renaissance villa in Slovenia
- see local wine cellar and taste local wines
Escort while discovering the region
Let me be your guide while you’re discovering our picturesque region – let me tell you some interesting facts while you’re admiring the stunning views and enjoying delicious local food and wines.
- whole-day escort
- relaxed and fun atmosphere while discovering the region
- help with the organization – contacts for wine makers, restaurants…
- complete customization to your wishes
Most popular route for groups:
- ascend the viewing tower Gonjače – views from Adriatic sea to Julian Alps, from Slovenia to Italy
- guided tour of Šmartno – from a mighty fortress to an idyllic village today
- lunch in chosen restaurant
- scenic drive through the picturesque landscape (see Dobrovo castle, Medana with its cultural heritage, Gredič manor)
- guided tour of Vila Vipolže, most beautiful renaissance villa in Slovenia
- see local wine cellar and taste local wines
Escort while discovering the region
Let me be your guide while you’re discovering our picturesque region – let me tell you some interesting facts while you’re admiring the stunning views and enjoying delicious local food and wines.
- whole-day escort
- relaxed and fun atmosphere while discovering the region
- help with the organization – contacts for wine makers, restaurants…
- complete customization to your wishes
Most popular route for groups:
- ascend the viewing tower Gonjače – views from Adriatic sea to Julian Alps, from Slovenia to Italy
- guided tour of Šmartno – from a mighty fortress to an idyllic village today
- lunch in chosen restaurant
- scenic drive through the picturesque landscape (see Dobrovo castle, Medana with its cultural heritage, Gredič manor)
- guided tour of Vila Vipolže, most beautiful renaissance villa in Slovenia
- see local wine cellar and taste local wines
About the tour
Take a stroll through tumoltous past of this Renaissance jewel. From a fortress of the knights to sumptuous villa for counts Thurn and sad neglect of the last 200 years to its splendor renewed in the last years.
- guided tour of the museum and development of the villa through time
- how knight’s hall came to life in the past and today
- local souvenir shop visit
Museum
We will explore various items that were found in and around villa during reconstruction – some have fascinating stories! The oldest ones are several millions years old…
Several models will tell us the story of its development through time – how it looked when it was built as a fortress in 12th century, how counts Thurn enlarged it and later on transformed it in the Renaissance beauty. When counts moved out, it was left in disrepair until it was fully renovated in the last years.
Knight’s hall
This hall serves as a gallery and a place for many events now but in the past it hosted many distinguished nobles, some say even an emperor on one occassion… Let me paint a picture of balls and feasts hosted here by illustrious Thurn counts.
Frescoes from 17th century
Learn about the legendary origins of these frescoes and discern what’s on them. Why are some parts deliberately chipped off and what’s with the engraved initials and years on the panoramic windows?
About the tour
Take a stroll through tumoltous past of this Renaissance jewel. From a fortress of the knights to sumptuous villa for counts Thurn and sad neglect of the last 200 years to its splendor renewed in the last years.
- guided tour of the museum and development of the villa through time
- how knight’s hall came to life in the past and today
- local souvenir shop visit
Museum
We will explore various items that were found in and around villa during reconstruction – some have fascinating stories! The oldest ones are several millions years old…
Several models will tell us the story of its development through time – how it looked when it was built as a fortress in 12th century, how counts Thurn enlarged it and later on transformed it in the Renaissance beauty. When counts moved out, it was left in disrepair until it was fully renovated in the last years.
Knight’s hall
This hall serves as a gallery and a place for many events now but in the past it hosted many distinguished nobles, some say even an emperor on one occassion… Let me paint a picture of balls and feasts hosted here by illustrious Thurn counts.
Frescoes from 17th century
Learn about the legendary origins of these frescoes and discern what’s on them. Why are some parts deliberately chipped off and what’s with the engraved initials and years on the panoramic windows?
About this walking tour
Let’s take a stroll through the ages of the settlement on this hill – from its glorious times after it was made the smallest city in Austro-Hungarian empire to its religious rebeliousness to its lively daily life today.
- a walk through the city with lots of visual aids
- learn interesting facts from various time periods, lots of visuals fo better immersion
- visit to a local gift shop
Mighty city walls
The city, which had a different name in that time due to its strategic position, was first surrounded by one set of walls and later on with another that included the castle as well. Why and when were they built and why were the city right even gifted to this small settlement? Hint: it has something to do with their private army, called Kriška garda.
Cobbled city streets with typical architecture
Typical architecture derived directly from local climate and weather conditions – admire these old houses and marvel at the people’s ingenuity! There were two roads through the city in the past, the royal road and the dirt road – learn who was walking on which and how they differed… Stand on the steps that saw Primož Trubar’s infamous speech which caused the city to be struck from all chronicles for a time! See the ruins of a WWI prison and a remnant Napoleon left behind after he conquered the city…
Castle with newer city square
The castle was the stronghold and home to local lords and ladies, who developed the city further – through encouraging of trade, bringing in monks and building a monastery… and later on the most prominent families left the cramped inner city and build beautiful state houses in the square close to the castle. We will conclude our tour with the visit to the local gift shop, where you can also taste local wines or beer.
About this walking tour
Let’s take a stroll through the ages of the settlement on this hill – from its glorious times after it was made the smallest city in Austro-Hungarian empire to its religious rebeliousness to its lively daily life today.
- a walk through the city with lots of visual aids
- learn interesting facts from various time periods, lots of visuals fo better immersion
- visit to a local gift shop
Mighty city walls
The city, which had a different name in that time due to its strategic position, was first surrounded by one set of walls and later on with another that included the castle as well. Why and when were they built and why were the city right even gifted to this small settlement? Hint: it has something to do with their private army, called Kriška garda.
Cobbled city streets with typical architecture
Typical architecture derived directly from local climate and weather conditions – admire these old houses and marvel at the people’s ingenuity! There were two roads through the city in the past, the royal road and the dirt road – learn who was walking on which and how they differed… Stand on the steps that saw Primož Trubar’s infamous speech which caused the city to be struck from all chronicles for a time! See the ruins of a WWI prison and a remnant Napoleon left behind after he conquered the city…
Castle with newer city square
The castle was the stronghold and home to local lords and ladies, who developed the city further – through encouraging of trade, bringing in monks and building a monastery… and later on the most prominent families left the cramped inner city and build beautiful state houses in the square close to the castle. We will conclude our tour with the visit to the local gift shop, where you can also taste local wines or beer.
About this walking tour
Let’s take a stroll through the ages of the settlement on this hill – from its glorious times after it was made the smallest city in Austro-Hungarian empire to its religious rebeliousness to its lively daily life today.
- a walk through the city with lots of visual aids
- learn interesting facts from various time periods, lots of visuals fo better immersion
- visit to a local gift shop
Mighty city walls
The city, which had a different name in that time due to its strategic position, was first surrounded by one set of walls and later on with another that included the castle as well. Why and when were they built and why were the city right even gifted to this small settlement? Hint: it has something to do with their private army, called Kriška garda.
Cobbled city streets with typical architecture
Typical architecture derived directly from local climate and weather conditions – admire these old houses and marvel at the people’s ingenuity! There were two roads through the city in the past, the royal road and the dirt road – learn who was walking on which and how they differed… Stand on the steps that saw Primož Trubar’s infamous speech which caused the city to be struck from all chronicles for a time! See the ruins of a WWI prison and a remnant Napoleon left behind after he conquered the city…
Castle with newer city square
The castle was the stronghold and home to local lords and ladies, who developed the city further – through encouraging of trade, bringing in monks and building a monastery… and later on the most prominent families left the cramped inner city and build beautiful state houses in the square close to the castle. We will conclude our tour with the visit to the local gift shop, where you can also taste local wines or beer.
About this walking tour
Join me on a walk through time on the cobbled streets of the idyllic village Šmartno in the picturesque Goriška Brda region in Slovenia, a small country in the heart of Europe.
What plans did Leonardo da Vinci have with this region? Who were koloni and how did they live? How did being on the front line of Soča front in the first world war change the village? Why was it in such disrepair in the 80s? How does the heart of this medieval jewel beat today? Learn this and more on my walking tour of Šmartno!
- taking a stroll in picturesque alleyways
- experience how locals used to live in the past
- personalized services and local souvenir shop
Map of the region and the village itself
Learn about Goriška Brda as a whole – what are we most known for and which spots shouldn’t be missed while visiting. Learn about this area from Roman times up to the reasons for building the fortress that gives Šmartno its distinctive skyline even 500 years after it was built. Who built it and why? Who defended it and how was their life like?
Briška hiša museum
Visit a fully furnished house of kolon, a typical farmer in this area from cca 1850s. Learn about koloni and their daily life while exploring the (wine) cellar, kitchen and bedroom with a balcony with amazing view of the rolling hills. Watch the 10-minute movie of Brda in the 1960s with live commentary from your tour guide.
From fortress towers to typical Brda countryside architecture
Take a stroll in the wonderful narrow alleyways called gase and try and find all of the remaining fortress towers… Hint: you can see 5 of them from Šmartno, 1 is not accessible during the tour. Admire charming houses and learn about the genius ways they are built! Why are the roofs not steep and what are those beautiful geometric shapes under the roofs?
Church of St. Martin
The church stands on the rised level above the village which was not that peaceful in the past… What all happened here before the largest church in the region was built here in the 18th century and what was so special about its building process? Admire the Tone Kralj’s paintings in vibrant colors and learn about the hidden meaning in some of them.
About this walking tour
Join me on a walk through time on the cobbled streets of the idyllic village Šmartno in the picturesque Goriška Brda region in Slovenia, a small country in the heart of Europe.
What plans did Leonardo da Vinci have with this region? Who were koloni and how did they live? How did being on the front line of Soča front in the first world war change the village? Why was it in such disrepair in the 80s? How does the heart of this medieval jewel beat today? Learn this and more on my walking tour of Šmartno!
- taking a stroll in picturesque alleyways
- experience how locals used to live in the past
- personalized services and local souvenir shop
Map of the region and the village itself
Learn about Goriška Brda as a whole – what are we most known for and which spots shouldn’t be missed while visiting. Learn about this area from Roman times up to the reasons for building the fortress that gives Šmartno its distinctive skyline even 500 years after it was built. Who built it and why? Who defended it and how was their life like?
Briška hiša museum
Visit a fully furnished house of kolon, a typical farmer in this area from cca 1850s. Learn about koloni and their daily life while exploring the (wine) cellar, kitchen and bedroom with a balcony with amazing view of the rolling hills. Watch the 10-minute movie of Brda in the 1960s with live commentary from your tour guide.
From fortress towers to typical Brda countryside architecture
Take a stroll in the wonderful narrow alleyways called gase and try and find all of the remaining fortress towers… Hint: you can see 5 of them from Šmartno, 1 is not accessible during the tour. Admire charming houses and learn about the genius ways they are built! Why are the roofs not steep and what are those beautiful geometric shapes under the roofs?
Church of St. Martin
The church stands on the rised level above the village which was not that peaceful in the past… What all happened here before the largest church in the region was built here in the 18th century and what was so special about its building process? Admire the Tone Kralj’s paintings in vibrant colors and learn about the hidden meaning in some of them.
