I never knew this was possible. Today, I know I can stand in two of my favorite countries at the exact same moment—Slovenia and Italy.
You simply walk onto Europe Square (Trg Evrope in Slovenian, Piazza della Transalpina in Italian). This open square connects Slovenian Nova Gorica with Italian Gorizia. How is this possible? Both towns originally formed a single historical city.
From the Iron Curtain to a Unified City
Following World War II in 1947, a new state border divided the region. The Iron Curtain ran straight through the city streets. A high wire fence physically separated families, friends, and daily life for decades.
Everything changed when Slovenia joined the European Union in 2004 and entered the Schengen Area. Border controls vanished completely. Today, only a symbolic line painted on the stone pavement marks the historic division.
I stood on the exact spot marking the former border line. I placed one foot in Italy and the other in Slovenia. Standing on a once-fortified border with total freedom felt truly amazing.
💡 Regional Highlights: Did You Know?
- European Capital of Culture: Nova Gorica and Gorizia joined forces to become the European Capital of Culture 2025. It marks the first time two cross-border cities from different nations hold this prestigious title together under the slogan GO! 2025.
- Guinness World Record: The central stone arch of the Solkan Bridge measures 85 meters. It holds the world record as the largest stone arch railway bridge ever built.
- The Emerald River: The Soča River flowing under the bridge (known as the Isonzo in Italy) is famous for its bright turquoise color.
Italian Siesta and the Medieval Gorizia Castle
Nova Gorica and Gorizia are not just about historic borders. Since 2011, a joint cross-border administration manages both towns as a unified urban area. Yet, each town preserves its distinct character, atmosphere, and historic center.
The undisputed highlight of the region is Gorizia Castle on the Italian side. We made it our very first destination.
We parked our car in a paid parking lot beneath the castle hill. We walked up through narrow stone alleyways. The town greeted us with a classic, relaxed Italian vibe. We arrived shortly after midday, and the streets felt empty. Closed cafes and quiet shopfronts reminded us of local customs—siesta time was in full swing!
Fortunately, the castle remained open to visitors. Before reaching the main gate, we passed two fascinating museums: the Museum of the Great War and the Museum of Fashion and Applied Arts. Nearby stands the quiet 14th-century Church of the Holy Spirit.
We followed the cobblestone path straight to the main fortress gate. Gorizia Castle features thick stone walls and imposing defense towers. Inside, the courtyard retains a fantastic medieval atmosphere. The interior exhibits detail regional history and feature an impressive collection of historic musical instruments.
The real reward came from the castle walls. We enjoyed panoramic views overlooking Nova Gorica, sprawling vineyards, and surrounding alpine ridges.
The Solkan Bridge: A World Engineering Marvel
After returning to our car, we continued exploring the surrounding area. Just a few kilometers from Nova Gorica lies the village of Solkan, home to another world-famous landmark—the Solkan Bridge (Solkanski most). Tourist signs guided us effortlessly to the riverside parking area. A short walk brought us right underneath the bridge.
The structure is truly breath-taking. Engineers constructed this railway bridge between 1900 and 1905 for the famous Transalpina railway line. Its main arch spans 85 meters, built from 4,533 hand-cut stone blocks.
Standing beneath this giant masonry structure high above the turquoise Soča River makes you appreciate the incredible courage of early 20th-century engineers.
If you ever visit Nova Gorica or Gorizia, make sure to take a short detour to Solkan. The Solkan Bridge is an absolute engineering marvel you need to see in person! 😊
