From Mirenski Grad, we descend to Miren. In the town, famous for its shoemaking traditions, the pioneers of Slovenian aviation, the brothers Edvard and Josip Rusjan, had their workshop. In Roman times, a Roman road led past Miren from Aquileia to Emona (now "Ljubljana"), and in the 1500s, the town, like others in the vicinity, was visited by Leonardo da Vinci, who, to defend Venice against the Turks, built several water dams to flood the lower Vipava valley.
After the World War II, Miren's cemetery became a peculiarity of its own, as the border line was drawn right across it, leaving some graves on the Italian side and others on the Yugoslavian side. This unusual feature is also on display in the "Spomni se name" (Remember me) museum next to the cemetery. The route continues across the Vrtojbensko polje, considered one of the gardens of Goriška, past the former military watchtower, where the Gorizian Museum has set up the smallest museum in Slovenia, to Šempeter pri Gorici, where the Coronini mansion is an interesting sight, and where the region's main health institution, the Dr Franc Derganc General Hospital, is located.
Shortly after crossing the border, we turn left and enter Basaglia Park, in memory of the psychiatrist who revolutionised psychiatric treatment here, later leading to the abolition of mental hospitals and the breaking down of the physical and mental walls that surrounded the world of the mentally ill. We then enter the city through the Furlan quarter of San Rocco. Leaving behind an interesting square with a fountain and an obelisk, we climb gently up to the picturesque Square of Sv. Anton (Saint Anton) with the Lantieri and Strassoldo palaces. Soon after we pass the cathedral (worth a visit!), then along Mazzini Street we reach the Town Hall Square (a beautiful building dating from 1760). From there we walk along Garibaldi Street, past the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Verdi's theatre.
We continue along the path and turn right at the Evangelical Methodist Church towards the City Park of Gorizia. After crossing the park we will come to Trgovski dom, the historic cultural centre and current library of the Slovenian community. As we continue along the path, we reach the covered market, the post office building and the St. Clare Museum. Continue along Corso Verdi, where it narrows, turn right onto Seminario Street and in a few minutes we will reach the Student's Home, the destination of the third stage. |
| Distance |
Time |
Elevation in meters |
Km |
Elapsed
Hrs-Mins |
Moving
Hrs-Mins |
Gain |
Loss |
Min |
Max |
| 13 |
4H00 |
|
92 |
126 |
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Sights & attractions to see along the route
- Spomni se name (Remember Me) Museum
- Gorizian Museum
- Coronini Mansion
- Basaglia park
- Sv. Anton Square
- Lantieri Palace
- Strassoldo Palace
- Duomo Church
- Town Hall
- Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Verdi's Theatre
- City park
- Trgovski dom
- Covered market
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