This town is situated on the left side of the Isonzo River, 84 m. above sea level near the Yugoslav border, beyond which lies Nova Gorica.
Of medieval origin, it was the seat of a powerful county which included part of Friuli, Istria, Carniola and Tyrol. In the 15th century, when the family of the Counts of Gorizia died out, it was the object of dispute between Venice and the Austrian Empire, remaining however within the Imperial dominions, except for brief periods. Following
the Great War, it became part of the Kingdom of Italy; after the Second World War it was placed under Allied administration until, in 1947, it returned definitively to Italy, though deprived of most of its eastern suburbs and a large part of the Province which passed to Yugoslavia.
Monuments: Castle (of medieval origin) situated on the top of a hill and surrounded by 6th century walls, inside which lay the oldest part of the town known as Borgo Castello; the church of S. Spirito (14th century, Gothic), church of S. Ignazio (17th-18th century, Baroque with a rich interior), Duomo (originally 16th century, but frequently altered, 15th century frescoes), Palazzo Attems (18th century, Baroque). Nearby is the Sacrario Militare of Oslavia, the burial place of over 57,000 soldiers.
As regards the economy, the service sector is most important, especially in relation to commerce with nearby Yugoslavia and public administration. The industrial sector has been very active since the end of the Second World War, and includes textiles, engineering, chemicals, paper, building materials, furniture and food, manufacturers. The agricultural market also has a certain importance.
Events: Opera Season, exhibition-competition of regional sparkling and other wines (November). Trade exhibition (spring), International singing and violin competition (September).
Famous People: Giuseppe Tominz (artist, 1790-1866), Francesco Caucig (artist, 1762-1828), Graziadio Isaia Ascoli (philologist 1829-1907).
Cultural Institutions: Museo di Storia ed Arte (art and history with archaeological section), Museo di Storia Naturale ed Orto Botanico (natural history and plants), Gallery of Contemporary Art, Teatro Verdi, Museo di Palazzo Attems (museum).
In the Province: Monfalcone (industry and freight port, Speleo-Paleontological museum), Grado (holiday resort), Cormons, Gradisca d'Isonzo (local wines with annual exhibition), Redipuglia (War Memorial, Cemetery and war museum).
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