The Upper Soča Region was part of the Isonzo Front during the First World War. Preserved from this time have been trenches, fortifications, memorials and military cemeteries, which constitutes important cultural and historical heritage. In order to protect and preserve this heritage “The Walk of Peace in the Soča Region” Foundation was founded in 2000. Even before it was established certain parts of the front line had been restored and arranged by some historical and tourist societies in the Soča Region. The Foundation joined the initiatives of these societies and, together with them, began to arrange six outdoor museums. In collaboration with the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and with experts, restorers and conservators, it restores the memorials from the time of the First World War. The Foundation also lays great emphasis on the study and research activities.

In 2007, the outdoor museums and the most important remains and memorials of the Isonzo front in the Upper Soča region were interconnected into the Walk of Peace. In the 2007 season the door was opened of the Foundation Informaton Centre with the guide service offer. Besides giving information, the Centre also provides guides to visitors for guided tours along the Walk of Peace and through the outdoor museums; and an exhibition is staged in its rooms. Visitors can get selected handicraft and applied arts souvenirs there, made by local people.

THE WALK OF PEACE

The Walk of Peace which combines the heritage of the Isonzo Front with natural wonders is the main product of the Foundation. It is dedicated to the memory of numerous victims of the First World War. Trekking along the about 100 km long Walk of Peace, or only along a part of it, offers to every visitor an active rest in the wonderful, tranquil, unspoiled nature marked with the river Soča, the world of medium-high and high mountains, flocks of sheep and goats, and still active alpine pastures in summer, and the history of the First World War. The walk starts at Log pod Mangartom at the entrance to the mine shaft named Štoln, and ends at the outdoor museum Mengore near Most na Soči. It is divided into five sections and trekking along each of them can be done in one day. It runs past military cemeteries and chapels, Kluže Fortification, outdoor museums, the Koritnica gorge, the Soča gorge, the idyllic mountain alps, the Kozjak fall, two charnel houses, at Kobarid and Tolmin, a memorial church of the Holy Spirit on the Javorca plateau, the Tolminka gorge, etc.