Gorizia and Nova Gorica: twin towns united in culture

Europe's first 'borderless' Capital of Culture reunites two towns – one in Italy, one in Slovenia – that were split apart by war

Piazza Vittoria in Gorizia, Italy
Gorizia: 'old-worldly, cobblestoned and lined with lively cafes'
(Image credit: Alamy / Mauro Carli)

Nestled at the foot of the Julian Alps, Gorizia is one of those "rare hidden gems that is simply not on the radar of most tourists, or even most Italians", said John Brunton in The Guardian. At the end of the Second World War, the town was "unceremoniously split" between post-Mussolini Italy and communist Yugoslavia, with a "brutal metal barrier" separating the two halves.

Now, those two halves, Gorizia in Italy and Nova Gorica – the "idealistic" new town established on the other side of the border in 1947, in what is now Slovenia – are set to become the "first-ever single European capital of culture to combine cities in two countries".

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In Gorizia, the "sunny terrace" at the Mama Angela bar is an ideal setting to sip orange wine and marvel at the "glorious baroque church" and "romantic pastel palaces" in the Piazza della Vittoria, said Brunton in The Guardian. After stopping for a tipple, consider renting a bike and cycling to Smart Space – a "cutting-edge" multimedia museum that provides a comprehensive introduction to Gorizia's "complex history", complete with "startling virtual-reality experiences". It's also worth visiting the "light-hearted" Italian smuggling museum at the border, which has a "fun" Escape Room.

Colourful high-rise apartment blocks in Nova Gorica, Slovenia

Nova Gorica: brutalist high-rise apartment blocks and a vibrant arts scene

(Image credit: Alamy / bozac / Stockimo)

Over in Nova Gorica, "the population is young" and there's a "big student community", said Burton in The Guardian. Italians cross into the Slovenian town for a "taste of the great outdoors", kayaking on the "fast-flowing" Soca River, and exploring the "maze of bike tracks and walking paths" in the nearby forests.

Be sure to visit the Nova Gorica Arts Centre, which local musician and cultural ambassador Tijana Boric tells BBC Culture is the "heartbeat" of the town's "vibrant arts scene". The centre "champions" up-and-coming Slovenian artists, and hosts regular exhibits and performances. And to "soak up the city's edgy music scene", head to Mostovna – a "punky" industrial space where you can "catch anything from rock, soul and orchestral music to comedy and art exhibitions".

For "elevated cuisine", consider booking a table at the Michelin-starred Dam restaurant which offers a "modern take on Slovenian cuisine" in a "moody, seductive" setting. Or, for something a bit more laid back, Boric advises paying a visit to Fabrika to sample the gastropub's "extensive" menu and craft beers.

Before you leave, head to Kostanjevika, said Charney on BBC Culture. The 16th-century hilltop Franciscan monastery is surrounded by "scent-heady Bourbon roses and gnarled chestnut trees", and has been "lovingly restored" since it was almost entirely destroyed during the First World War. It's the "perfect place" to soak up the sweeping views across both towns.

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Irenie Forshaw is a features writer at The Week, covering arts, culture and travel. She began her career in journalism at Leeds University, where she wrote for the student newspaper, The Gryphon, before working at The Guardian and The New Statesman Group. Irenie then became a senior writer at Elite Traveler, where she oversaw The Experts column.