The Julian Alps are a mountain range of the Southern Limestone Alps that stretch from northeastern Italy to northern Slovenia, where they rise to 2,864 m (9,396 ft) at Mount Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia and of the former Yugoslavia. We had read about the Vrsic Pass over the Alps and really wanted to drive it but not sure if it was clear of snow. Most people said "maybe" so we took off. The route was clear and it was a gorgeous sunny day, just perfect to really enjoy the 50 hairpin turns!
1917
During WWI, 10,000 Russian POWs were put to work building this road. After an avalanche killed over 100 Russians, and some Austrian guards, the survivors built this chapel in memory of their fellow soldiers.
The curves of the switchbacks are cobblestone apparently to give more traction although they were so sharp and often steep, I can't image anyone speeding around them...well we did see a lot of motorcycles who looked like they were really enjoying it! There was a hairpin turn about every 1/3 mile. It isn't necessarily dangerous, just steep and breathtakingly beautiful.
This is recorded from our DashCam going around some of the curves-there were 50 turns
The Karst region is a huge limestone plateau in the southwest part of Slovenia. The word Karst is used around the world but was actually first used here in Slovenia. Rivers, ponds and lakes can disappear and then resurface in the Karst’s porous limestone through sinkholes and funnels, often resulting in underground caverns like the fabulous caves at Škocjan, a UNESCO site. We took a strenuous 2 mile tour that led us deep underground on steep trails and over 1,000 steps. What makes this cave so special and unique is the colossal underground canyon in the "Murmuring Water Cave" that the Reka River flows through. It is one of the largest caverns in the world. It looked like we were in Lord of the Rings or Star Wars! We crossed a bridge that was 150 feet above the raging water; the bridge was completely submerged just 3 months ago after extensive rain flooded the cave. No photos were allowed inside but I did take pictures of a poster.
the bridge over the Reka River that we walked over
these were century old steps-now paths & steps all have railings, lights and are larger than this
coming out of the end of the cave
the paths were all lit which gave a very eary feeling looking back into the cave
There are many other unique geographical and cultural features in the Karst region.
one of the oldest and origian Karst farm homestead with a stone roof
(there was a geocache here!)
15th century Predjama Castle built into the cave of the mountain
we saw many abandoned homes from when the Italians who lived in the area fled to Italy after WWII
One of the highlights for us was the Lipica Stud Farm where the magnificent white horses have been bred and trained since 1580. The soil & climate of the Karst is very similar to Spain which is why the Archduke Charles chose to build the royal stud farm in 1578 in the Karst in the abandoned summer residence of the Bishop of Trieste. Here 30 Spanish Andalusian horses were imported and bred into the original Lipizzaner horses that were supplied to the Habsburg court in Vienna. We were fortunate to attend a special performance added for the Easter Monday holiday and have a tour of the farm.
the babies are born black and change to a gray/white as they age. They remain with the mother and frolicking in the fields until age 3-1/2 when they enter "school" for the traditional training.
Only the best "athletes" move on to perform dressage. The others, mostly the mares, are used for riding. Assuming you can prove your capability, you can actually "apply" to ride one of these great horses around the estate
this is one of the mares that are used for riding. They are very gentle and love the attention they receive for visitors
the training is systematic and takes about 5 years and these horses have a longer than average lifespan
the "Pesade" is part of the airs-above-the-ground movemens where the horse "sits" and lifts both front legs off the ground in a high rear. They can take steps and even spring forward.
These horses make wonderful carraige horses because they are stong yet agile and regal-looking.
I can just imagine them pulling royal carraiges!
We have really enjoyed traveling in this part of Slovenia. We have discovered that it is one of the easiest "off-the-beaten-track" areas for us to explore because just about everyone we encounter speaks some English. While we have come across very few North Americans (maybe less than a dozen), English is the most common, universal language for multi-national travelers. For example, our tour into the Skocjan Caves was presented in English and of the 50 people in our group we were the only North American english speakers-all others were European, Australian or Asian -- but everyone understood English!! This is truely a super place to visit!
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