The focus of this months update is completing my review of 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’s focus is completing the reports on the final border visits to the Italy – Slovenia border and the Slovenia – Croatia border. The highlight must be the historical tripoint ITTSYU between the Free State of Trieste, Italy and Yugoslavia. Some great locations, including the Italy – Slovenia border on the coast, as well as a disputed area between Croatia and Slovenia. An overview of the whole trip is available here.

Please click on the images below or the red text to access the full visit reports, with photos maps and analysis.

New Pages

13 additional pages this month.

• Rupa is a small village in Gorizia province with a population of 170. It is located very close to the border with Slovenia. Our main reason for visiting this spot was to discover what the border between Italy and Slovenia looks like away from border crossings and urban areas. Details here.
• The small rural Devetachi – Lokvica Border Crossing had redundant border control facilities and a series of differing border markers either side of the road. Another case of hiking through undergrowth and across fields. Details here.
• We visited the rural Jamiano – Brestovica border crossing as we thought it would provide us with a route to access and locate ITTSYU. Unfortunately, the path indicated on the map did not exist in reality. We did however find a misplaced historical border marker so it was still a worthwhile visit. Details here. 
• The highlight of this month’s updates has to be the visit to the historic tripoint where Italy, the Free State of Trieste and Yugoslavia met. The historical maps we reviewed identified a likely location on the current Italy – Slovenia border. We however had no idea what would be there, how if at all it would be marked and how accessible it would be. The historic tripoint was marked by border marker #66. It was on a raised rocky mound which looked like it had been created artificially. Details here.
• The Italy – Slovenia border reaches the coast just south of the Italian town of Lazaretto. The border at this point is noteworthy, not only because of the road crossing point between Italy and Slovenia, but also that it is the location of the last border marker BM#92 located on the beach. Details here
• A rural border crossing point between Chiampore, Italy and Kolomban, Slovenia. Redundant border control facilities on the Slovenian side, 2 border markers, and various signs both local and national. Details here.
• The border between the Italian town of Muggia and it’s Slovenian neighbour Cerej is at the top of a steep hill. The border wraps around the Italian properties, and the owners have utilised the markers as household security. Details here.
• Muggia – Premančan Border Crossing, another rural border crossing with several markers and sighs. Details here
• Santa Barbara-Premančan Border Crossing is a small border crossing between Italy and Slovenia which is marked by both direct and indirect markers. Details here.
• The Muggia – Škofije Border Crossing is a busy north – south tourist route. A dual carriageway with a border marker, several signs both local and national. Details here.
• Dragonja – Plovanija-Kaste Border Crossing is a bridge over the River Dragonja.  The border is not demarcated with numbered markers – part of a legacy of being part of Yugoslavia. The road turns sharply west as it crosses into Croatia, and because of the typology the redundant border control facilities (that still look new) are located some distance from the border itself. Details here
• Sečovlje – Plovanija Border Crossing is also a bridge over the River Dragonja. Redundant (but modern) border facilities and a disputed border area to explore. Details here.
• A summary of the 4 day IBRG SITEX-23 expedition, with links to each POI.  Details here.

Updated pages

Existing pages which have been amended to reflect the new reports and information.

• 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
• Updating of the Croatia country page with new information photos and links. Details here
• Inclusion of ITTSYU and a note on historical tripoints in the European Tripoint page. Details here.
• Updating IBRG page with photos, description and links to the SITEX-23 expedition. Details here.