The Walk of Peace, a 280 kilometre trail traversing the former Isonzo Front, a WWI theatre of war between modern day Italy and Slovenia, was launched in a ceremony lead by Slovenian President Borut Pahor on March 21st 2015.
The cross-border project aims to connect peoples, cultures and natural heritage throughout the region with the memory and remains of the First World War in this area, and to promote the message of peace.
Stretching from the Alps to the Adriatic sea, the Isonzo Front was the site of 12 major battles between Austro-Hungarian and Italian forces during the First World War.
Many restored wartime sites can be found along the Walk of Peace, including trenches, military cemeteries, military churches and memorials. There are also a number of outdoor museums along the route that have been created by the Walk of Peace Foundation.
President Pahor launched the cross-border project in Europe Square/Transalpine Square, the border point between the Slovenian city of Nova Gorcia and the Italian city of Gorizia.
The barrier dividing the two cities was removed in 2004, when Slovenia became a member of the EU, and was replaced by a commemorative mosaic in this shared square.
In his speech at the event, President Pahor said: “Peace is not merely an absence of war, but is an active pursuit of friendship, cooperation and solidarity.”
Image: Pot Muri
Posted by: Eadaoin Hegarty, Centenary News