ATITSI (2023)

The top of Peč Mountain (1509 m) is where the tripoint between between Austria, Italy and Slovenia is located. Known in Slovenian as Tromeja, in German as Dreiländereck, and in Italian as Monte Forno. The three border area is seen as a symbol of peace and friendship among nations that, in the past, were politically divided. It is the junction of four languages – Slovenian, German, Italian and Friulian (an Italian dialect), and home to joint projects such as The Three Country Olympic Games where Slovenia, Austria and Italy competed together.

It is possible to hike from each country, in 2011 we chose the Austrian chair life from Seltschach and then a 20 minute hike to the summit. On this visit we were “out of season” and the chair lift was closed, we therefore drove from the Slovenian side using a well graded road that took us within 150m from the tripoint. The report of my 2011 visit is here. I visited this point in 2023 as part of the IBRG SITEX-23 expedition.

There are a variety of monuments surrounding the tripoint area as well as demarcated borders between the 3 countries. Some reports wrongly ascribe the tripoint to one of the newer monuments and not correct border marker. The borders are are close together and one step backwards and you are in a different country.

When thinking about which tripoint is my favourite ATITSI has to be up there, not only because of its alpine setting but also because of the configuration of the borders. The map on the left shows the boundaries of Slovenia converging to the tripoint. All borders are well demarcated so there are differing markers with styles and numbering close to one another.

Tripoint Monument

Other Monuments

Many monuments exist in the tripoint area.

Note that there are 2 borders visible in this photo. On the left there is an AT/SI BM, on the right by the bench there is a IT/SI BM.

Sun orientation did not help. Unity and peace monument with the Austrian inscription. Situated in Slovenia – the bench is in Italy

Slovenian inscription, with the AT/SI BM in the background. the path leads up to the tripoint monument.

Italian inscription, the fence to the left marks the AT/SI border. Slovenian communication tower in the background.

Austrian – Slovenian Border

Austria – Italy Border markers (and signs)

The Austria – Italy border west of the tripoint is quite short and there is only one border marker we observed.

Italian hiking path leading out of the tripoint area.

Italy – Slovenia Border markers

The Italy-Slovenia border is clearly marked and in a 200m stretch of the border heading away from the tripoint there were 4 BM’s.

IT/SI BM#2 nearest to the camera with IT/SI BM#1 to the left by the bench. A smaller AT/IT marker is on the right.

IT/SI#1 with the tripoint in the background.

Looking down the border towards IT/SI BM#3

The road to the Tripoint

Ratece, Slovenia is the start point for those who want to hike or drive from the Slovenian side. The road is rural, narrow and steep in places. We were in a 4×4 so it was straightforward. It was a surprise how close to the tripoint we were able to get by car. It was possible to drive from Slovenia to Italy, but not Austria due the fencing.

In the earlier part of the road it follows the border between Slovenia and Italy closely and it was possible to see border markers very close to the road.

On the way down we stopped to explore the markers. It looked as if there was an older road that followed the border very closely.