About this walking tour
Why was Castra here and how did Romans shape this valley? Why was this the centre of industrialisation in the wider region and what role did Ajdovščina play in Slovenia’s independence? Learn this and many more interesting facts on the walking tour of Ajdovščina!
- leisurely stroll around Ajdovščina city centre
- visit to a local souvenir shop
Remains of Roman fortress Castra
We’ll take a walk outside and inside of the walls of this formidable fortress and learn about why it was built here, how it functioned and looked like and how daily life of a Roman soldier in it was like. Did you know its walls gave the name to the city many centuries after the fortress was abandoned?
Industrial powerhouse in the past and now
The driving forces of the early industry were a strong water flow, proximity to natural resources and a central location along important roads – Ajdovščina ticks all these boxes. It all started 400 years ago with ironworks by Hubelj spring, but it really picked up in the second half of 18th century when a paper mill was founded on the banks of Hubely river and then more and more industrial plants started to pop up. Learn about those and their legacy we can still see in the city’s economy today.
Traces left by the the Habsburg’s empire
From how German almost exterminated the use of Slovene language in the 18th century to being the hinterland of Soča front – being part of the Habsburg empire has left a permanent mark on this city.
Cradle of Slovenia’s independence
After the repressive Italian fascism regime in between the world wars the first Slovenian government was formed right here in Ajdovščina – the hall where this historic event took place is still in use today
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?
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 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
Why was Castra here and how did Romans shape this valley? Why was this the centre of industrialisation in the wider region and what role did Ajdovščina play in Slovenia’s independence? Learn this and many more interesting facts on the walking tour of Ajdovščina!
- leisurely stroll around Ajdovščina city centre
- visit to a local souvenir shop
Remains of Roman fortress Castra
We’ll take a walk outside and inside of the walls of this formidable fortress and learn about why it was built here, how it functioned and looked like and how daily life of a Roman soldier in it was like. Did you know its walls gave the name to the city many centuries after the fortress was abandoned?
Industrial powerhouse in the past and now
The driving forces of the early industry were a strong water flow, proximity to natural resources and a central location along important roads – Ajdovščina ticks all these boxes. It all started 400 years ago with ironworks by Hubelj spring, but it really picked up in the second half of 18th century when a paper mill was founded on the banks of Hubely river and then more and more industrial plants started to pop up. Learn about those and their legacy we can still see in the city’s economy today.
Traces left by the the Habsburg’s empire
From how German almost exterminated the use of Slovene language in the 18th century to being the hinterland of Soča front – being part of the Habsburg empire has left a permanent mark on this city.
Cradle of Slovenia’s independence
After the repressive Italian fascism regime in between the world wars the first Slovenian government was formed right here in Ajdovščina – the hall where this historic event took place is still in use today
About this walking tour
Let’s take a stroll around the peaceful artificial lake and talk about the splendor of iron age city and other traces time left in this settlement.
- a walk around Most na Soči
- learn interesting facts from various time periods, lots of visuals fo better immersion
From Bronze age first settlement to Iron age powerhouse
We start our tour on the confluence of Idrijca and Tolminka river, where Bronze age settlement was built. The settlement then grew into an Iron age powerhouse – it was bigger than the settlement today. This is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe – the finds here are named Sveta Lucija culture.
The remains of a Roman outpost
Because of its strategic location Romans also settled here – learn why they settled here and see the foundations of various roman houses while walking around Most na Soči.
The making of the artificial lake
Artificial lake was made in the times of Yugoslavia – you will learn what is its purpose, how the area looked before and what is its significance for local. Oh, and did you know that around the same time also the settlement’s name was changed because the government didn’t like religious sounding names? But that’s just the latest name change, through the centuries it changed its name (at least) 5 times…
Vibrant and rebellious legacy of Tone Kralj
Tone Kralj was an artist who did a lot of church renovations and paintings after WWI – and and because of the fascist oppression, he often hid some criticism of the regime in his paintings and tried to give Slovenes hope for a better tomorrow. We will admire his work in St. Lucy’s church and try to find some of these hidden symbols.
