Historical and Urban Walking Tour of Nova Gorica
A journey through the history of a young city, from a socialist showcase to the West to European Capital of Culture
Do you know where the state border runs across a shared square, which city was built on the site of another city’s former cemetery, and where the first pedestrian zone in Yugoslavia was created? Do you know which Slovenian city has the greatest diversity of plant species and how Nova Gorica became one of the most unusual new towns in Europe? You can discover all this and much more on this unique walk through Nova Gorica.
We will set out on a historical and urban walk through Nova Gorica’s relatively short but turbulent history, full of fascinating stories, as well as paradoxes and ironies. We begin with the original design of the city as a socialist showcase to the West, then gradually discover how this vision was repeatedly transformed and why the city looks the way it does today.
The route begins at a model of the original city plan. From there, we visit the City Hall, discover the city’s greenery and its first residential blocks, explore the history of casinos in Nova Gorica, and much more.
The tour is led by its author, Blaž P. Kosovel, who, as part of Nova Gorica’s European Capital of Culture 2025 programme, also created a guidebook to Nova Gorica and its surroundings and the Digital Archive of Nova Gorica that you are currently exploring.
Walking distance: 3 km, on flat terrain.
Duration: The full guided walk takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.
Price: €200–300 per group (depending on group size and programme duration).
Recommended additional visits
Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica
On the hill between the two cities, we can visit the Franciscan monastery, where Charles X, the last French king of the Bourbon dynasty, is buried, as well as its renowned monastery library.
The visit is led by a local guide; I arrange the booking as part of the tour organisation.
Duration: 1 hour
Additional cost: €5–6 per person for admission and a local guided tour
Kostanjevica Monastery
EPIC – The City on the Border
The exhibition next to the railway station presents the history of the border and life in the Goriška region during the 20th century, complementing the stories explored along the route.
The visit is led by one of their guides; I arrange the booking as part of the programme.
Duration: 1 hour
Additional cost: €8–11 per person, depending on the programme and guided tour
EPIC – The City on the Border
Rafut Park
Duration: 45 minutes
I personally guide the visit through Rafut Park, so it can be incorporated directly into the programme without the need for an additional local guide.
More about the guide and author of the tour
Contact:
Blaž P. Kosovel
phone: +386 41 521 268