Crossroads of Europe 2026
May 3 - Dec 30, 2026
Gorizia, Nova Gorica, and surrounding cross-border territory
The Gorizia-Nova Gorica cross-border region, where two nations meet as one shared cultural space.
About Crossroads of Europe 2026
Developed by the Municipality of Gorizia, Crossroads of Europe 2026 (Italian: Crocevie d'Europa 2026) presents a rich programme of cultural, historical and nature-based itineraries aimed at enhancing the cross-border territory between Italy and Slovenia.
Now in its fourth edition, the project introduces new perspectives and lesser-known routes, created in collaboration with local associations and institutions engaged in preserving heritage and collective memory. The initiative builds upon the momentum of GO! 2025 — Nova Gorica-Gorizia European Capital of Culture — continuing to position the region as a model of European cross-border cooperation.
Nova Gorica-Gorizia, European Capital of Culture 2025 — the first ECOC to span two nations. Photo: Ana Rojc
Gorizia and Nova Gorica emerge as a shared cultural space where histories and identities intertwine. The initiative offers an immersive journey through landscapes, stories and traditions that define this unique European border region.
Programme Highlights
Running from 3 May to 30 December 2026, Crossroads of Europe offers approximately 40 guided events, all free with mandatory reservation. The programme is divided into thematic areas covering history, nature, culture, and gastronomy.
The official Crocevie d'Europa visual identity — celebrating cross-border discovery.
Opening Event: Jewish Gorizia
The season opens on Sunday, 3 May 2026 with "Jewish Gorizia" — a fascinating walking tour departing at 10:00 a.m. from Via Cocevia. This approximately 3-hour journey retraces the history of Gorizia's Jewish community and its profound contribution to the cultural, economic, and religious life of the region.
The itinerary winds from the medieval origins on Via Cocevia, through Piazza Vittoria, past Casa Michelstaedter and Casa Luzzatto, to the former ghetto area and the beautiful 18th-century synagogue on Via Ascoli.
The beautifully restored interior of Gorizia's 18th-century synagogue on Via Ascoli. Photo: Ruth Ellen Gruber
Thematic Itineraries
Historic & Cultural Walks
- Ti racconto Gorizia (Tram Stories) — Relive the city's historic tram lines (1909-1935) through guided walks along the original routes, discovering Gorizia as seen from the windows of its iconic public transport.
- Le Stolpersteine — Follow the "Stumbling Stones" memorial path honouring the Jewish community, from the historic ghetto to the Jewish Cemetery at Valdirose (Rožna Dolina) in Slovenia.
- Approfondimenti teologici e culturali — Explore Gorizia's diverse places of worship, from the Jewish synagogue to Methodist, Waldensian, Muslim, and Serbian Orthodox sites, reflecting the city's remarkable religious pluralism.
- Tra vigne e trincee (Vines and Trenches) — Walk through Oslavia's WWI battlefields and terraced vineyards, visiting monuments that commemorate the Twelve Battles of the Isonzo.
Guided tours explore Gorizia's layered history, from medieval streets to modern European unity.
Nature & Landscape Excursions
- Sabotin Peace Park (Sabotin Park Miru) — An open-air museum on the Italy-Slovenia border, featuring WWI trenches and caverns amid stunning karst landscapes. The hike offers panoramic views over Gorizia and Nova Gorica.
- Monte Calvario (Podgora) — A multi-themed park at Gorizia's doorstep, rich with WWI monuments and natural beauty, including the obelisk at Quota 240 and the iconic Tre Croci.
- Passeggiata d'autunno nel Parco Coronini — A serene autumn walk through the recently restored Palazzo Coronini park, among centuries-old trees and romantic garden paths.
Sabotin Peace Park — an open-air WWI museum overlooking the emerald Soča River.
A Crossroads of Europe tour group exploring the border region along the Soča River. Source: GoriziaOggi.news
Transport Heritage Experiences
- Historic Train "Crocevie d'Europa" — Travel aboard a historic train from Treviso to Gorizia and Nova Gorica, with guided tours of the city centres and the iconic Piazza Transalpina.
- Aeroporto di Gorizia "Amedeo Duca d'Aosta" — Visit the historic airport where the Rusjan brothers first flew in 1909, featuring vintage aircraft displays and historical hangars.
- Mongolfiera (hot-air balloon) — Experience a tethered hot air balloon flight from Stadio Vizzari, offering a breathtaking aerial view of the cross-border city.
The historic Transalpina Station — a symbol of European cross-border connection.
Food & Wine Routes
- La Rosa di Gorizia e il Radicchio Canarino — Discover two iconic local agricultural products on a 4km walk through the Gorizia plain, learning about traditional farming and climate challenges.
- La Via delle Api (The Way of the Bees) — Visit an apiary to learn about Gorizia's ancient honey-making tradition, with tastings of different honey varieties.
Cross-Border Adventures
- Di qua e di là della Transalpina — A walking conference exploring the Rafut border crossing, Villa de Nordis, and the Castagnevizza (Kostanjevica) hill, uncovering the history of the Italy-Yugoslavia border.
- Hop on Hop off from Grado — Every Wednesday during the tourist season, join guided bus excursions from Grado to discover Gorizia, the Soča (Isonzo) River, the Collio hills, and Nova Gorica.
- Pedalata letteraria (Literary Bike Ride) — A cycling journey through Gorizia's streets, visiting locations immortalised by 20th-century writers who captured the city's European soul.
Piazza Transalpina / Trg Evrope — the iconic square where the Italy-Slovenia border stone marks European unity. Source: ECT GO
Practical Information
| Dates | 3 May – 30 December 2026 |
| Location | Gorizia, Nova Gorica, and surrounding cross-border territory |
| Price | Free (mandatory reservation required) |
| Languages | Italian, Slovene, English, German (varies by event) |
| Accessibility | Some events available in sign language; bike rentals available for cycling tours |
How to Book
Reservations are mandatory for all events:
- Email: crocevie.europa@gmail.com
- WhatsApp: +39 335 770 7746 (WhatsApp only)
A Project of European Significance
Crossroads of Europe is more than a tourism initiative — it is a celebration of what makes the Gorizia-Nova Gorica region unique in Europe. As the first European Capital of Culture to span two nations, this cross-border territory embodies the European ideal of unity in diversity.
The project is developed by the Comune di Gorizia — Servizio Cultura, Eventi e Turismo, with the support of Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia, and in collaboration with numerous local associations including the Centro Ricerche Carsiche, Associazione Culturale Isonzo, Fondazione Palazzo Coronini Cronberg, Associazione Amici di Israele, and many others.
Whether you are drawn by the poignant history of a divided continent, the breathtaking beauty of the Collio hills, or the warm hospitality of a region that has always been a meeting point of cultures, Crossroads of Europe 2026 invites you to discover a territory where borders become bridges.
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