The Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic was created as a memory on 1st World War and to all, who suffered in this area and as a reminder why it is important to avoid wars. The path connected people, areas and rich and natural heritage along the line of former Soča front.
Fights between Austria-Hungary and Italy began in May 1915, and ended in October 1917. Soča front included 12 offensives, 11 among all were carried out by Italian army, the decisive twelfth was carried out by Austria-Hungary and German units. Later the fights moved on river Piave in Italy. Soča front in length achieved 90 kilometres, it was extended from Rombon to Devin. It was part of southwest front, which extended from mountain pass Stelvio on Swiss-Italian-Austrian tripoint, through Tyrol, Dolomites, Carnic Alps, Upper Posočje, Goriška and Karst all to Adriatic sea. Important part, beside front line, played the rear with transport trails, warehouses, airports, hospitals and cableways. Locals, who were affected by the war, had to leave their homes. At their return, they founded their homes demolished and the landscape destroyed. In Soča front around 300.000 soldiers lost their lives.
As a reminder on fierce struggles in this area serve the remains, which are well preserved and maintained with a help of different institutions. Remains represent important heritage of European history, where numerous cavern, cemeteries, ossuaries, trenches, chapels, monuments, outdoor museums and other memorials belong. Whole Walk of Peace is commonly marked and suitable for cyclists and hikers. Bigger sights are accessible by car, others one must reach by foot. The Walk of Peace is suitable for all, who want to know about the history and culture, natural beauties, to experience today’s life and taste the local kitchen.
Bloody times along Soča front were predicted by Primorje poet Simon Gregorčič already in year 1879 with a poem To the river Soča.
ROUTE OF WALK OF PEACE
The Walk of Peace starts on the north part of Primorska, in the settlement Log pod Mangartom, then it passes Kluže, outdoor museums Čelo and Ravelnik, on plateau Golobar with outdoor museum. Through Drežnica we descend past Italian ossuary towards Kobarid. In Kobarid the route separates into two routes. One route ascends on ridge Kolovrat where there is an outdoor museum, second one goes through plateaus Kuhinja and Pretovče with outdoor museum on Mrzli vrh. From here we descend towards memorial church St. Ghost on Javorca and on towards Tolmin, where German ossuary and the outdoor museum Mengore can be found. At ridge Kolovrat the route passes Globočak, through village Kambreško towards Sabotin and Brda.
Second route at ridge Kolovrat descend in Plave and further on Prižnica, Vodice, Sveta Gora on Škabrijel. Two routes merge in Nova Gorica – Gorizia and together continue past Markov hill and Vrtojba-Bilje humps to monument Cerje and Walk of Peace in Karst. Here the path again separates into two routes, both pass former border. One route runs on the Italian side where it connects Debela Griža (Monte San Michele), Historical path on Brestovec (Percorso storico del Brestovec), Italian ossuary in Sredipolje (Redipuglia), Theme park above Tržič (Parco Tematico della Grende Guerra Monfalcone) and ends in Devin (Duino).
Second route on Karst connects Borojević throne, Krompir cave, Gorjansko and other Austria-Hungary cemeteries, across cross-border Grmadi/Ermadi and in final point in Devin connects with first route.
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The Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic map
On the map is drawn the whole trail of Walk of Peace, which starts in Log pod Mangartom and takes as to the Adriatic sea. Along the trail we see remains from 1st World War. To view the map in full size, just click on the image on the left or on the link to open it in another window. [_See the map_]
Simon Gregorčič – To the river Soča
Song To the river Soča is undoubtedly most known Gregorčič’s song. which offers a reader interesting content beside exceeptional poetic elements, that are describing river Soča with chosen words. In conclusion of the song, Gregorčič even foresees horrors, which really happened in WWI in Posočje. [_Read more_]