Isonzo
The Isonzo river, which springs in the region of Bovec, in Slovenia, more precisely in the Trenta Valley, penetrating into canyons and forests, enters the Italian territory at Gorizia; here, across the Karst plateau, it is fed by the Vipacco and, afterwards, flowing towards the sea, by the Torre, ending its 136-kilometre course reaching the Adriatic sea near Grado, characterizing with its course the part of territory that is also called "Isontino".
Since ancient times the Isonzo, whose name derives from the Celtic "Eson", has been given the most varied names; having the second largest flow in Triveneto, also thanks to the Karst sources that feed it continuously, this river, although it staged battles already in the fourth century A.D. during the fights between Christians and pagans, was historically associated with the First World War for the twelve battles that take its name and that left many traces of the war in this territory.
In the surroundings of the river, in fact, it is possible to find traces of ancient castellieri (fortified boroughs), as well as the signs of the previous populations that crossed the territory, such as the Romans, the Lombards and the Byzantines, or medieval strongholds and Venetian and Austrian fortresses.
The emerald green waters of the river wash a territory characterized by towns of great cultural and historical importance, such as Gorizia, as well as towns worth discovering like Gradisca d'Isonzo, Sagrado, Fogliano Redipuglia, ending their course near Grado, a seaside resort par excellence, recognized by Emperor Francis Joseph as the "official healing resort" of the Habsburg Empire.
And it's there where the river flows into the Adriatic, surrounded by the sea, by the Isonzo itself and by the Quarantia channel, which in the past was its main mouth, that the Cona Island was created, a protected area that increased the already high biological diversity of the site with the presence of lots of botanical and fauna species. The Reserve is linked to the dry land by a dam and is equipped to welcome nature enthusiasts, who can observe a wide range of vegetal and animal species, in particular the Camargue horses, introduced here because of their capability of adaptation to wetlands and used for guided visits as well.
For those who love sports in nature, the river banks offer, in addition to horse riding tours, many trekking and mountain bike routes. Many are the itineraries to be followed and the parks worth discovering, including Gorizia's green areas, such as the Piuma Park, where one can admire swans and wild ducks, and the Park of Campagnuzza-S. Andrea, divided into themed areas.
The Isonzo river mouth particularly lends itself to river boat tours and kayaking, between the Cona Island and the Caneo Nature Area, where once stood the fishermen's casoni huts and now one can penetrate the cane thickets and discover the fauna species that live in the area.
Along the valley of the Isonzo river you will find some of Friuli Venezia Giulia's most renowned D.O.C. (Denomination of Controlled Origin) and D.O.C.G. (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin) wine production areas, with a wide production of wines, differentiated by the type of soils - more or less calcareous - and of climate.
Since ancient times the Isonzo, whose name derives from the Celtic "Eson", has been given the most varied names; having the second largest flow in Triveneto, also thanks to the Karst sources that feed it continuously, this river, although it staged battles already in the fourth century A.D. during the fights between Christians and pagans, was historically associated with the First World War for the twelve battles that take its name and that left many traces of the war in this territory.
In the surroundings of the river, in fact, it is possible to find traces of ancient castellieri (fortified boroughs), as well as the signs of the previous populations that crossed the territory, such as the Romans, the Lombards and the Byzantines, or medieval strongholds and Venetian and Austrian fortresses.
The emerald green waters of the river wash a territory characterized by towns of great cultural and historical importance, such as Gorizia, as well as towns worth discovering like Gradisca d'Isonzo, Sagrado, Fogliano Redipuglia, ending their course near Grado, a seaside resort par excellence, recognized by Emperor Francis Joseph as the "official healing resort" of the Habsburg Empire.
And it's there where the river flows into the Adriatic, surrounded by the sea, by the Isonzo itself and by the Quarantia channel, which in the past was its main mouth, that the Cona Island was created, a protected area that increased the already high biological diversity of the site with the presence of lots of botanical and fauna species. The Reserve is linked to the dry land by a dam and is equipped to welcome nature enthusiasts, who can observe a wide range of vegetal and animal species, in particular the Camargue horses, introduced here because of their capability of adaptation to wetlands and used for guided visits as well.
For those who love sports in nature, the river banks offer, in addition to horse riding tours, many trekking and mountain bike routes. Many are the itineraries to be followed and the parks worth discovering, including Gorizia's green areas, such as the Piuma Park, where one can admire swans and wild ducks, and the Park of Campagnuzza-S. Andrea, divided into themed areas.
The Isonzo river mouth particularly lends itself to river boat tours and kayaking, between the Cona Island and the Caneo Nature Area, where once stood the fishermen's casoni huts and now one can penetrate the cane thickets and discover the fauna species that live in the area.
Along the valley of the Isonzo river you will find some of Friuli Venezia Giulia's most renowned D.O.C. (Denomination of Controlled Origin) and D.O.C.G. (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin) wine production areas, with a wide production of wines, differentiated by the type of soils - more or less calcareous - and of climate.