Trip to Goriška Brda

So I moved my lazy ass and decided it is time to put all of this together :) I divided this post in a few sections so it is easier to explain and add pictures I took :)

The trip to Goriška Brda was actually with blind or partially sighted people and their escorts (29). The bus drive took us around two hours, maybe a bit less. We mainly rode the highway only towards the end we went through ups and downs and lefts and rights :) The little map of our chicken country shows our way from the circle (or somewhere around there) to the red mark which is municipality Goriška Brda, known for best cherries and wine which is world-wide known. Many small villages which already remind you of jadranic style but still mix of more inlandic style. The long roads of fields, grass fields, many many vineyards, each village having a church etc.

Out first destination was Castle Dobrovo in village Dobrovo. In front of the castle is a Anton Gradnik (1882-1967) statue. Our poet, judge and translator. The castle Dobovo was first built in 13th century but later renewed in the beginning of 17th century. The castle has almost perfect square shape with 4 towers in each corner. When you come inside on the yard you can see a road that was used by carriages. Our guide explained that the road was made of round "Cat eyes" stone so the dirty would fall off the wheels before it went inside. Not only it looks good but was also practical.

When you come inside I imediately noticed an old carriage on the right. The rest is now made into a restaurant for group visits like us who had our lunch later there as well. The guilde led us on first floor. Oh my were the walls and ceiling pretty, really loved it. On first floor we get into a knight hall, the walls still containing some old frescos and there were also crests of past noble families that lived here. We could all sit down and listened to some stories and history out guide prepared to tell us. He was also really great with describing the room and the crests to those that can't see. He was really detailed. Then we went to check also the four rooms that led from the hall at all four corners. The guide showed us few old objects, pictures, letters of past families. It really moved me his story that after WW2, the castle was robbed of practically everything. Later when our guide started working here, he gathered 50 stories of people who were there back then. He slowly tried to get objects back by spreading the word, making robbers slowly return the objects they stole. He a bit pressed on their conscience that the robbed things belong here. So actually the whole museum collection is built from stolen-returned things from all over the country. He said the objects are still coming, bit by bit. It was really moving that he managed to bring out the good in people.

Well moving on we went to second store as well where is now gallery of Zoran Mušič, world-wide known artist. After that we drove a km or so away to village Medana to visit Alojz Gradnik's birth house. The lower part of the house is divided to two sections, first to his judge role and second to his poet role. The top floor is decorated with walls of his poetic works and also contains his personal objects.

After that it was already lunch time in the castle's restaurant. After it we were able to buy lovely cherries, really yummy!! Then we moved our destination a bit to a village Šmartno. The village was built around a church of Saint Martin on remains of roman stronghold. At first it was anti-turkish camp - middle-age fortress. I'm bad in history but I really enjoy old things, old villages, old constructions, old everything but is lovely how village still has people that live here and the little mix of modernity in it :) And as all other villages, this one is as well surrounded by sea of vineyards.

Lastly it is our way back home :) I took also some shots from the bus as I did on our way here. I really like the bridge over river Soča, people actually do jumps from there (the sport stuff I mean haha) o.O Scary... And lastly our catch we brought from Brda.

The real last thing I want to add is what our guide told us to tell for all those who have it tough, are struggling, want to give up. He told us this: 

"Two flies fell in milk. First fly said she can't swim, that she isn't made for swimming,. She gave up, drowned and died. Second fly didn't want to give up, she kicked and kicked until milk turned into butter and she was able to escape."