Author: Jauko

Ljubljana Ljubljana is the political and cultural heart of the Slovenian nation. It is an important European commercial, business, exhibition and congressional centre as well as the transport, science and education centre of Slovenia. A people-friendly city As its inhabitants and numerous visitors will tell you, Ljubljana is, indeed, a people-friendly city. Categorised as a medium-sized European city, it offers everything a metropolis does yet preserves its small-town friendliness. Its geographical position in the centre of Europe has determined Ljubljana as a natural meeting place for merchants and soldiers as well as - and more than once - peacemakers. The victors of the Napoleonic wars selected this peaceful city as the site of the Holy Alliance congress, which in 1821 sealed the European political geography for years to come. The…

  Grado Grado is a historic seaside town located on a lagoon island along Italy's north-east Adriatic coast, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. The town, which has a population of 9,000, is in the Province of Gorizia and is very near the head of the Adriatic Sea. It is frequently described as a northern relative to Venice; at one time it was the more important of the two towns. Like Venice, Grado was populated as the inhabitants of mainland Roman settlements fled into the lagoons to escape successive invasions. After the sixth-century fall of the Roman city of Aquileia, an important early centre of Christianity, Grado became the seat of the Patriarch or Archbishop who was reponsible for the Adriatic lagoon islands and for Istria. After various fallings-out, including an…

  Cividale del Friuli Defended on the bank of the Natisone River, Cividale del Friuli has developed and maintained in the centuries a noble and stern print as one vital capital of strategic importance, marked and enriched by the passage of foreign people: Longobardi and Franchi. We leave therefore to the discovery of the city crossing the Natisone river on the Bridge of the Devil . Let's go therefore to the discovery of the city beginning from the heart of the historical center, piazza del Duomo. The look is immediately captured by the imposing Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, whose luminous facade in white stone bears the clear signs of its moments of building. The building has been in fact constructed between XV and XVIII century, in Venetian Ghotic style.…

  Aquileia Aquileia was founded by the Romans as a military colony in 181 BC He was first bulwark against the invasion of the Barbarians and the departure point for expeditions and military conquests. Thanks to a good road network and an impressive river port, over time it became increasingly important for its business and for the development of a highly refined crafts (glass, amber, fictilia, gems …). Reached its zenith under the rule Caesar Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD), becoming the capital of X Regio “Venetia et Histria” and speeding up the process that would have made this one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire. Durations following centuries, internal wars, raids or reprisals external and rapid incursions threatened the city, which is involved in the…

  Miramare Castle   Miramare Castle is surrounded by a flourishing park full of precious botanic species, and has a charming panoramic view, given its location on a cliff high above the sea. It stands on the peak of the rocky promontory of Grignano in the Gulf of Trieste, and is about 10 km from the city itself. Commissioned in the second half of the 19th century by the Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Hapsburg as a residence for himself and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium, the castle offers today's visitors an example of a luxurious aristocratic residence which has preserved its original furnishings.   More Information

  Duino Castle Standing on a Karst rock spur falling sheer into the sea, with a breathtaking view over the whole gulf of Trieste, the castle of Duino is a charming tourist destination: its beauty is enhanced by the warm and joyful atmosphere that the presence of the owners, the members of the family of the Princes of Thurn and Taxis, provides to this historical dwelling, making it lively, far from the cold museum sternness. Rich in history combined with folk legends, indissolubly linked to the past of the surrounding territory, which witnessed glorious historical events and visits by illustrious figures, the castle of Duino, a few kilometres from Trieste, is characterized by unique romantic charm. The large park (which features multicoloured flowers of all species that create picturesque and…

  Štanjel Once an ancient Roman fort, the village of Štanjel stands proudly atop a hill; its geographic location making it an important settlement in this area since the iron age. Walls built around the village in the 15th century were foritfied during the 17th century to defend against Turkish raids. The village served as a base for occupying German troops during the second world war and was heavily damaged by Allied bombing at the end of the war. Since then it has been slowly rebuilt. A major landmark in the village is The Ferarri Garden, located below the village. Other landmarks include Štanjel Castle, which was built in the middle ages. The church of St. Daniel, built in the 15th century as a burial vault for the Counts of…

  Škocjan Caves   Due to their exceptional significance, the Škocjan Caves were entered on UNESCO’s list of natural and cultural world heritage sites in 1986. International scientific circles have thus acknowledged the importance of the Caves as one of the natural treasures of planet Earth.   Ranking among the most important caves in the world, the Škocjan Caves represent the most significant underground phenomena in both the Karst region and Slovenia.   From time immemorial, people have been attracted to the gorge where the Reka River disappears underground as well as the mysterious cave entrances. The Reka River sinks under a rocky wall; on the top of it lies the village of Škocjan after which the Caves are named.   Archaeological research has shown that people lived in the…