Gorizia

Gorizia, the capital of its namesake province, is a city of remarkable charm and cultural significance. Together with the Slovenian city of Nova Gorica, it has been named the European Capital of Culture for 2025

Top attractions

Gorizia Castle

The Castle of Gorizia is the city's ancient heart. Situated on the hill that dominates the city, the hill provides an amazing panoramic view over Gorizia and its surroundings. The castle was modified several times, with the addition of ramparts and towers and used for different functions, as an administrative centre, as barracks and as a prison. The castle was bombed during the First World War. The patient renovation, carried out in the 1930s, gave the castle its charming medieval look.

Palazzo Coronini Cronberg

Palazzo Coronini Cronberg, which now houses the homonymous Foundation established by its last owner, Count Guglielmo Coronini Cronberg (1905-1990), is a historic building dating back to the end of the sixteenth century. Walking through the fifteen exhibition rooms, among which the room where in 1836 the last King of France Charles X of Bourbon stayed and died, visitors are taken back in time, thanks to the warm and charming atmosphere of the rooms with sixteenth-century and seventeenth-century furnishings on the ground floor, to the sumptuous eighteenth-century sitting rooms, to the imperial rooms and to the nineteenth-century environments on the main floor.

Lucio Viatori Garden / Garden of Azaleas

The Garden of Azaleas, also known as Lucio Viatori Garden, was realized by the homonymous owner, with the aim of creating a garden on the model of nineteenth-century English gardens; over the years 500 varieties of azaleas, with a prevalence of Azalea Japonica, 150 varieties of rhododendrons coming from all over the world, over 300 types of rare roses (both ancient and modern), 50 varieties of camellias and 120 of magnolias, mostly coming from the Lord Peter Smithers and Van Veen collections of Lugano, have been collected.

Via Rastello

The name comes from “gate with a rake shape” (in Italian “rastrello”). In Medieval times during the night its closure separated the Castle town from the surrounding countryside. Via Rastello was for many centuries the main commercial axis of the city, one of numerous merchants and artisans shops. In memory of past times many shops, taverns and craftsmen’s workshops in the street still preserve their original shop windows, signs and some of their internal fixtures and fittings.

Spessa Castle

The elegant Spessa Castle stands on a gently rolling hill surrounded by a magnificent Italian-style garden in the heart of the Collio area of Gorizia. Since its origin in the thirteenth century, it has been the residence of Friuli nobility for hundreds of years. Starting in the 16th century, illustrious families owned the castle: first the Dornberks, then the Rassauer family, and later the Della Torre Valsassina family, who owned it for more than 300 years. Eminent figures have stayed there over the centuries: among others, the famous author and adventurer Giacomo Casanova, after whom the prestigious award that Spessa Castle hosts every summer is named.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS

 
  • Atmosfere la Stua
  • Yuxi
  • Peperino Gorizia
  • Sushiko
  • Pizzeria Zero81
  • Usushi 
  • Alla Luna – A blend of Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian dishes.
  • Trattoria Da Gianni – Known for its delicious Italian and seafood dishes.
  • La Kantinetta – Offers Mediterranean cuisine with vegan options.
  • Alla Vecia Maniera – A charming spot for local Italian and Austrian cuisine.
  • Ca’ Di Pieri – Friendly staff and a variety of Italian dishes.
  • Al Ponte Del Calvario – Beautiful location with Italian and barbecue options.
  • Rosenbar – Seafood and Mediterranean dishes.
  • Ristorante Al Fogolar – Italian cuisine with barbecue options.
  • Newport – A brew pub with pizza and bar options.
  • Enoteca Mama Angela