Kobarid

Peanuts!
Let our journey take us to Posočje, towards Friuli, with the first stop in Kobarid. Kobarid is a small and friendly town, a center for wild water lovers, hikers to the ridges of Kolovrat and Matajur, and seekers of contact with nature and peace. The place is also sealed with a strong historical past, with the 1st World War, when in the 12th Battle of the Soča, Austrian troops successfully broke through the front with the support of the Germans. We will learn more about this and about the history of the place and especially about the Soča Front in the Kobari Museum, which is open every day of the year. The museum was awarded the Museum Prize of the Council of Europe for 1993, so it is definitely worth a visit. But first, let's get a seat in one of the bars on the main city square, Trg svobode, near the post office and the bus station, and then head towards the old part of the city, where the museum is located. The interesting history will suck us in, but if we want even more, let's go on the Kobari historical route, which is managed by the Kobari Museum. It connects important historical points and natural beauties in the surroundings of Kobarid and complements the museum's narrative. The visit lasts 3 to 4 hours and takes us from ancient times to the First World War past the many natural beauties offered by the Soča river gorge and mysterious waterfalls on its tributaries.

Onward!
Since Kobarid has a rich variety of monuments from its turbulent past, our adventure continues. Let's go to the prehistoric and Roman settlement in Gradič. Its remains are still visible today, although a large part of the settlement was destroyed during the construction of the ossuary in 1938. The hill was also inhabited during the Roman period, as evidenced by the Roman coins, statuettes and other objects found in the settlement, which date it from 2 century BC n. no. to the 4th century AD no. Nearby we discover newer monuments from the First World War, the church of St. Anton and the Italian ossuary, where 7,014 known and unknown fallen Italian soldiers rest. Kostnica was built in Gradič around the church of St. Anton. We reach the ossuary along the road along which the Stations of the Cross are located. The ossuary was opened in September 1938 by Benito Mussolini and is built in the form of an octagon with three concentric triangles that taper towards the top, where the church of St. Antona, consecrated in 1696. But we continue on, to the next outpost, worth a visit. This is Tonoc's castle, located on a steep, rocky hill above the Soča River, north of Kobarid. The excavated buildings as well as those indicated on the surface and the rich finds make Tonoc Castle one of the most important and best-preserved high-altitude late antique fortifications in the Eastern Alps, and it is mainly known for the battle of Kobarid in October 1917, which put the place on the world map. From Tonoc's castle, the path, which was already used by the natives, and partially extended by Italian soldiers during the First World War, leads us to Soča, where part of the third Italian defense line winds. Thus, the route takes us through trenches, fortifications and buildings intended to defend the crossing over the Soča and the roads on the right bank of the river. From here, we can continue our journey along the Soča gorge with numerous pools, rapids and huge rocks in the river bed, and reach the 52-meter-long footbridge that connects the right and left banks of the river. The footbridge was built in 1998 with the help of the Kobari Museum and the Kobarid Tourist Association and is located right where it was during the First World War. If we still have enough energy, let's continue to the waterfalls of the Kozjak stream, where the most picturesque Slovenian waterfall Veliki Kozjak was created. The waterfall has carved out a kind of underground hall, the bottom of which is filled with a blue-green pool. Real beauty in one place, so it's worth straining your last strength.

Like fallen fighters
Tired of information and natural beauty, we fill up with fresh energy at the Jazbec Inn in Idrski, two kilometers from Kobarid. The charming village with a beautiful view of Krn is the seat of a well-known guest house, which, in addition to delicious cuisine, also offers visitors accommodation and provides assistance in organizing the many activities that are offered in this area: from fly fishing on the Soča River to various water adventures, such as rafting by kayak, raft, canyoning, hydrospeed or just splashing and soaking in the emerald river. But first of all, we are interested in the culinary offer of authentic local dishes, among which we must not leave out Kobari štrukljes. They are made from white flour and filled with a filling of ground walnuts, raisins, breadcrumbs, honey, spices and sweet cream. It's impossible not to like it, so let's not hesitate to order and enjoy delicious bites while the sun slowly descends towards the earth and reminds us that we will have to turn towards home.