The focus of this months update is the IBRG SITEX-23 expedition which primarily focused on the borders between Italy and Slovenia. The overall expedition took in many POI’s including 2 tripoints, one current and one historical and many border crossings, markers and the occasional oddity. This month focuses on the early days of the expedition, with two border crossings with Austria – the only ones on this trip, firstly with Italy and secondly with Slovenia, ATITSI the tripoint between Austria, Italy and Slovenia, perhaps one of the most European tripoints and finally the day we spent exploring the divided town of Gorizia/Gorica with its myriad of crossing points and simply how the border meanders through the 2 towns.

New Pages

Please click on the photos below for access to the trip reports with maps, photos and descriptions.

The Goriza/Nova Gorica Reports

Please click on the photos below for access to the trip reports with maps, photos and descriptions.

• The first POI was the motorway border crossing between Italy and Austria at Valico di Coccau where the A23 becomes the A2. No border markers but signage and the border being outlined on the ground. Details here.
• The Wurzen pass was a crossing point I had visited in 2011. It was interesting to see how the infrastructure had changed. Our only interaction with law enforcement occurred at this point. Additional border markers found. Details here.
• The highlight of the first day was ATITSI the tripoint between Austria, Italy and Slovenia. We approached the tripoint from Slovenia on an access road that took us right to the top. Out of season the tripoint was ours to explore. Details here.
• The Predil Pass or Predel Pass (1156 m) is a high mountain pass on the border between Italy and Slovenia. The pass is located in the Julian Alps, between the peaks of Mount Mangart to the north and Mount Kanin to the south.  Details here.
• A remote border crossing in a narrow gorge, meaning that there were interesting indirect markers. Details here.
• Pot na Beg is the northernmost POI in Gorizia/Nova Goricia. It is a small street with several border markers and other points of interest in how the border is configured. Details here.
• A major road crossing the border in the divided town of Gorizia/Nova Gorica. Border markers and national/local signs to explore. Details here
• Solkan is a small crossing point, mainly used by cyclists. There are several border markers and regional signs. What is of added interest is an adjacent allotment which is divided between the 2 countries. Details here.
• The next POI is the Nova Gorica railway station, fronting Europe Square and very close to the border. The station itself as been part of many countries starting in the Austrian – Hungarian Empire. It now is exclusively Slovenian and part of the Slovenian rail network. Details here.
• The most significant POI in Gorizia/Nova Gorica is Europe Square right in front of the station it has the famous circular marker and several other border markers. Remnants of the Iron Curtain exist too. On the day of our visit there was folk dancing, food stalls and music as part of a regional celebration. Details here.
• This point of interest is a small border crossing that connects Via del Rafut (Italy) to Kostanjeviska cresta (Slovenia). There are border markers and a symbolic barrier on the Italian side. There is also a photographic display of the border over time and how the border at this point had changed. Details here
• The Slovenian House is famous in border enthusiast circles. The border is drawn around the 2 linked housed to ensure they remained part of Slovenia. In each of the 4 corners of the plot there are border markers. The prefect home for a border geek. Details here.
• This border POI is a crossing point between the Italian and Slovenian sides of the town. There are border markers, some close together and national/local signs. On the Italian side there are now redundant border control facilities. details here
• Another interesting border crossing at Via Vittorio – Goriška ulica where the border crosses the road diagonally, with 3 differing styles of border marker. The border follows the walls of the Italian properties. Details here.
• The Gorizia/Miren border crossing had several border markers, one broken, lots of signs and a previously divided cemetery. Details here.

Updated pages

Please click in the images or links below to access the updated pages.

• Updating of Italy country page with new information, photos and links. Details here.
• Updating of the Slovenia country page with new information, photos and links. Details here.
• Inclusion of the the Slovenian House borders in the Oddities and Extremities page. Details here.
• Inclusion of ATITSI 2023 in the European Tripoint page. Interesting to compare to my visit in 2011. Details here.