The Isonzo river: adventure, nature, history and culture
The “emerald wonder”, as the Isonzo river is called due to the color of its waters.
It springs in Slovenia from a crevice in the rock of Mount Travnik, in the Trenta Valley, and lies for 136 km flowing in Italy between Staranzano and Grado, not far from Monfalcone.
The Isonzo is known worldwide for being the scene of the bloodiest fights of the First World War: the 12 battles of the Isonzo. The first in 1915 and the last (the notorious Battle of Caporetto) in 1917.
During the Great War, the river was a home for the famous hermetic poet Giuseppe Ungaretti and an inspiration for poetry I Fiumi . He says that in its water he feels brought back to the present and happy for a while, even if he’s fighting a war.
Mi sono accoccolato
vicino ai miei panni
sudici di guerra
e come un beduino
mi sono chinato a ricevere
il sole
Questo è l’Isonzo
e qui meglio
mi sono riconosciuto
una docile fibra
dell’universo
(from the poetry “I Fiumi” di Giuseppe Ungaretti).
A river full of history, but also a dynamic and evocative route: the Isonzo offers exciting views and adventurous experiences.
Along its course, the lovers of cultural tourism can admire suggestive villages and cities: Bovec, Tolmin, Kobarid (Caporetto) and Santa Lucia in Slovenia, Gorizia (after crossing the border in Salcano, dominated by the majestic bridge) and Gradisca d'Isonzo in Italy, cutting the province of Gorizia in two.
For the lovers of non-conventional sports, in Bovec (Slovenia), it’s possible to practice canyoning, kayaking and rafting, at different levels of difficulty (from children to expert adults).
A curiosity: in 2007, they shot the bridge battle scenes of the movie The Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian, near Bovec, in the Isonzo Valley (Slovenia).
For lovers of nature and eco-sustainable cycle tourism, near Monfalcone, only 6 km from the Europalace Hotel, BW Signature Collection, lies the Foce dell’Isonzo Nature Reserve. It develops in the cities of Staranzano, San Canzian d’Isonzo, Fiumicello and Grado and has an area of 2,338 hectares. In particular, on the Cona Island, there is a unique ecosystem: 650 species of plants and 323 species of birds. It’s considered the paradise for those who practice birdwatching. A peculiarity: numerous Camargue horses live in the wild on Cona Island. The area is equipped for walking tours or excursions by bicycle.
The Europalace Hotel, BW Signature Collection, in Monfalcone, is the ideal base for exploring the Isonzo River. We have a large parking lot for those who decide to use the car and we offer a bicycle rental service for sporty ones.
It springs in Slovenia from a crevice in the rock of Mount Travnik, in the Trenta Valley, and lies for 136 km flowing in Italy between Staranzano and Grado, not far from Monfalcone.
The Isonzo is known worldwide for being the scene of the bloodiest fights of the First World War: the 12 battles of the Isonzo. The first in 1915 and the last (the notorious Battle of Caporetto) in 1917.
During the Great War, the river was a home for the famous hermetic poet Giuseppe Ungaretti and an inspiration for poetry I Fiumi . He says that in its water he feels brought back to the present and happy for a while, even if he’s fighting a war.
Mi sono accoccolato
vicino ai miei panni
sudici di guerra
e come un beduino
mi sono chinato a ricevere
il sole
Questo è l’Isonzo
e qui meglio
mi sono riconosciuto
una docile fibra
dell’universo
(from the poetry “I Fiumi” di Giuseppe Ungaretti).
A river full of history, but also a dynamic and evocative route: the Isonzo offers exciting views and adventurous experiences.
Along its course, the lovers of cultural tourism can admire suggestive villages and cities: Bovec, Tolmin, Kobarid (Caporetto) and Santa Lucia in Slovenia, Gorizia (after crossing the border in Salcano, dominated by the majestic bridge) and Gradisca d'Isonzo in Italy, cutting the province of Gorizia in two.
For the lovers of non-conventional sports, in Bovec (Slovenia), it’s possible to practice canyoning, kayaking and rafting, at different levels of difficulty (from children to expert adults).
A curiosity: in 2007, they shot the bridge battle scenes of the movie The Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian, near Bovec, in the Isonzo Valley (Slovenia).
For lovers of nature and eco-sustainable cycle tourism, near Monfalcone, only 6 km from the Europalace Hotel, BW Signature Collection, lies the Foce dell’Isonzo Nature Reserve. It develops in the cities of Staranzano, San Canzian d’Isonzo, Fiumicello and Grado and has an area of 2,338 hectares. In particular, on the Cona Island, there is a unique ecosystem: 650 species of plants and 323 species of birds. It’s considered the paradise for those who practice birdwatching. A peculiarity: numerous Camargue horses live in the wild on Cona Island. The area is equipped for walking tours or excursions by bicycle.
The Europalace Hotel, BW Signature Collection, in Monfalcone, is the ideal base for exploring the Isonzo River. We have a large parking lot for those who decide to use the car and we offer a bicycle rental service for sporty ones.
