The best cycling routes around Brda

Panoramic tower with 360-degree viewpoint

in honor of the great Primoz

A castle has stood in Dobrovo since the 13th century, but it slowly fell into disrepair over the centuries. A new Renaissance building was built on this site at the beginning of the 17th century, which has remained relatively unchanged to this day and is considered one of the most beautiful castles in the Goriška region. Dobrovo Castle will enchant visitors at first glance with its imposing and distinctive appearance. Its ground plan is almost square, with symmetrically placed towers at the corners. The outer wall was likely built during the Second Venetian War (1615–1617) and converted into a portico after its end. One of the towers was converted into a chapel dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. The chapel walls are decorated with hung originals and copies of Gothic frescoes from the northern Primorska region. The first owners are said to have been the Counts Colloredo, for a shorter period the Marquise Montecuccoli, and from the end of the 18th century the Catterini-Erzberg family from Gorizia. In 1872, ownership passed into the hands of the Baguer family following a wedding. On the first floor of the castle is the Knights' Hall, featuring the coats of arms of several noble families who owned the castle in the past. This hall contains a preserved mural depicting the naval attack on the city. Today, the Knights' Hall hosts numerous musical performances and other events. Also of interest is the Hunting Room, where the treasures of Count Baguer, painted on the walls by Clemente Del Neri in 1894, are displayed. His works of art can also be viewed in the stairwell.

The medieval village of Šmartno is one of the most beautiful villages in the central Brda region. Built on Roman foundations, it is now considered an architectural gem and cultural monument. Behind its walls, it leads back to the rich and picturesque stories of the past and reveals the charm of Brda hospitality. The village of Šmartno is located in the geographical center of Brda, with views stretching from Nanos in the east to the Carnic Alps in the northwest, and from the vast Friuli region to the Adriatic Sea. The village, surrounded by walls and fortified with defensive towers, was first mentioned in 1317. In the first half of the 16th century, a medieval fortress was built on the remains of a Roman outpost around the church. The village served as a border fortress until the mid-18th century, when the Venetian threat was over. The houses in the center are grouped around the Church of St. Martin, the largest parish church in Brda, after which the village was named. The church's bell tower was originally a fortress tower. The bell, featuring the motif of the Three Kings, dates from 1857. The Baroque church features three marble altars, one of which is particularly rich. The presbytery and the Stations of the Cross were painted by Tone Kralj.

The medieval village of Šmartno is one of the most beautiful villages in the central Brda region. Built on Roman foundations, it is now considered an architectural gem and cultural monument. Behind its walls, it leads back to the rich and picturesque stories of the past and reveals the charm of Brda hospitality. The village of Šmartno is located in the geographical center of Brda, with views stretching from Nanos in the east to the Carnic Alps in the northwest, and from the vast Friuli region to the Adriatic Sea. The village, surrounded by walls and fortified with defensive towers, was first mentioned in 1317. In the first half of the 16th century, a medieval fortress was built on the remains of a Roman outpost around the church. The village served as a border fortress until the mid-18th century, when the Venetian threat was over. The houses in the center are grouped around the Church of St. Martin, the largest parish church in Brda, after which the village was named. The church's bell tower was originally a fortress tower. The bell, featuring the motif of the Three Kings, dates from 1857. The Baroque church features three marble altars, one of which is particularly rich. The presbytery and the Stations of the Cross were painted by Tone Kralj.

On the 321-meter-high Mejnik, a hill above the village of Gonjače, stands a memorial dedicated to the victims of World War II and a lookout tower, offering the opportunity to take one of the most beautiful photos of Goriška Brda. The memorial in Gonjače is dedicated to the 315 victims of World War II, located on the right bank of the Soča River. Next to the memorial is a 23-meter-high lookout tower with 144 steps, built in 1961. In good weather, the tower offers panoramic views of various parts of the region: Brda, the Julian and Carnic Alps, the Dolomites, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the Gulf of Trieste, the Karst, the Vipava Valley, and the Trnovski gozd. The architect Marko Šlajmer designed the tower.

An ideal location to explore the Brda & Collio wine-growing regions as well as far into Friuli and the Adriatic.

A fortified castle, standing very prominently on a hill next to the road. The castle was rebuilt after the previous one had fallen into disrepair. A real eye-catcher from all sides. The castle houses a restaurant, a wine shop, and an art collection. Cycling around it is worthwhile, and a view of the courtyard, as well as the vineyards and hills surrounding it, is also worthwhile.