Gorizia, Italy

Italy is internationally renowned to be the best tourist destination.  Visitors go to its famous cities like Rome, Florence and Venice.  However, for a deeper experience of Italy’s richness, its less-visited places have a lot to offer.  Gorizia is one such place which is a must-see part of Italy.

Gorizia, a small village tucked into the hills on the north-eastern border of Italy, vividly portrays its cultural influences.  It has grand homes amidst three lined avenues, with a lively atmosphere as in a coffee house. The castle is also a must-see part of the village.

As you walk through the main streets, you can have an appreciable view of the historic villas, and the beautiful spacious gardens.  It can be well-described as the late nineteenth century luxury.  Dignitaries from the Hapsburg Empire in Austria had moved to Gorizia, attracted by its pleasant climate and closeness to the sea.  Illustrious people such as the genius Goethe, the legendary Casanova and Napoleon the Frenchman, lived in the graceful palazzos.

The discovery of Gorizia dates back to 1001 AD. The unusual geographic location of this village has been influenced by Latin, German and Slavic civilizations over the past centuries. Counts of Gorizia are known to be a strong family that survived for over four centuries. The region from Tyrolian and the Carinthian Alps up to the Trieste and Croatian border formed a domain, ruled by the Counts. The Hapsburgs started ruling Gorizia during the 1500s and continued till the close of World War I.

There are many fantastic museums and wonderful sights in the village. Fountain of Neptune, Church of St Ignazio and Villa Coronini Cronberg are among the most impressive places. Cormons, a pretty town lying between Udine and Gorizia is the home of some of the finest white wines of Italy, and a visit to Enoteca of Cormons is a must.

The Military Monument in Redipuglia was constructed from 1936 to 1938. Remains of the 100,000 soldiers, who lost their lives in battles, in World War I, are placed in this monument, a proud but dismal remembrance of the sacrifice.

Gradisca d’Isonzo is a small town belonging to the pre-historic age, and in the past it was probably the site of castelliere.  It is a graceful place, which gained significance during the later part of the fifteenth century, when a fort was constructed on Isonzo River by Venetian engineers. It was built to serve as a refuge against attacks from Ottoman raids. The fort was constantly reinforced and extended with the help of Leonardo da Vinci, and it never lost to invaders.  Gradisca d’Isonzo is now a scenic village focusing on wine tourism.

The Gorizia Castle is a fortress of the medieval age, located in the heart of an ancient part of Gorizia.  Its location on the hilltop allows extremely impressive vistas of the present city, amidst serene surroundings.  The rooms furnished in the medieval style, have a Medieval Museum along with a permanent exhibit of weaponry and arms. An extensive display of the middle-age musical instruments is an interesting part of the castle. The castle is not open on Mondays. Prior to the visit, English speaking guides can be arranged, and a printed guide (in English) is available at its entrance.