This autumn, the cross-border area of the emerging Kras-Carso Geopark was once again marked by the Karst Gmajna Festival. Between September 20 and October 19, visitors were invited to explore one of the richest habitats in Europe through 16 free events in the wider cross-border area, once again made possible by the KRAS-CARSO II project, which is co-financed by the Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia Cooperation Program 2021-2027 (European Regional Development Fund).
As the main organizer of the event, ORA Krasa in Brkinov, in cooperation with numerous organizations from the Slovenian and Italian sides of the border, designed a varied program that enriched active leisure time with an educational note, especially in the field of learning about natural and cultural heritage. Visitors discovered the many special features of the area in an interactive way, and the festival events followed the common theme of nature and heritage tourism. Learning about and highlighting numerous natural and cultural phenomena made visitors aware of the importance of geodiversity, the impact of human life on the appearance of the Karst landscape, and the coexistence of humans and nature.
The festival began with an interesting cross-border geocaching event in the geopark, starting in Gropada and cycling along the Karst bee trails, followed by a workshop on sustainable mobility and an experience on the fairy-tale adventure trail Zlati čoln (Golden Boat).
We explored the water infrastructure routes in the cadastral municipality of Lokev in the 19th century, went on a hike to Griža, among the Karst pastures, geosites, and views of the Glinščica valley, and September was also enlivened by the Honey Festival in Štanjel and a cycling trip from the sources of the Timava to Devin, among geosites and views of the sea.
October was marked by a dry stone wall restoration workshop in Divača, the Alpe Adria Trail cross-border hike, geocaching among the caves and valleys around Nabrežina, a horseback ride along the Karst edge with Brkini delicacies, and a panoramic hike from the Gulf of Trieste to the Karst.
During the hike, we also wondered how much we (still) know about the Karst gmajna and set off to explore the Living Museum of the Karst and the Lipica estate. The festival concluded with a cycling trip among red leaves and views of Lake Doberdob.
