The Solkan Bridge is a 219.7m arch bridge over the Soča River near Nova Gorica in western Slovenia . With an arch span of, it is the longest stone bridge among train bridges built of stone blocks. It holds the record as later construction technology used reinforced concrete to build bridges. It was originally built in the time of the Secession, between 1900 and 1905, and officially opened in 1906.Make Solkan Bridge a centerpiece of your Nova Gorica vacation itinerary, and find what else is worth visiting using our Nova Gorica travel itinerary planner.
The bridge was designed by the architect Rudolf Jaussner and engineer Leopold Örley, initially with an 80 m stone arch. The bridge was built by the Viennese construction company Brüder Redlich und Berger between 1904 and 1905. In the spring of 1904 the builders had to change the project because of the light soil and increased the arch to 85 meters. It is built of 4,533 stone blocks.
On July 19, 1906, the railway from Jesenice to Gorizia was inaugurated (the Austrian heir Franz Ferdinand travelled across the bridge).
In August 1916, during the First World War, Austrian soldiers destroyed the bridge (using 930 kg Ecrasite) as they left Solkan to prevent the invading forces from using it. After the war the Italians first built a steel construction where the bridge once stood and in April 1925 started to build a new bridge, which was finished in 1927. This bridge was very similar to the first one, with the exception of having only four sub-arches instead of the original five.
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Solkan Bridge reviews
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It’s an attractive bridge. We couldn’t find the parking on the side of the bridge that enable you to take a photo with the river in the background.
It’s an attractive bridge. We couldn’t find the parking on the side of the bridge that enable you to take a photo with the river in the background. more »
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Biggest stone-arch in Europe? Now serves local railway. If you are in the area - this is must stop and take some photos.
Biggest stone-arch in Europe? Now serves local railway. If you are in the area - this is must stop and take some photos. more »
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It's an amazing architectural effort from stone. Its history is also interesting, was destroyed 3 times.
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A beautiful bridge over the Soča river. From the bridge there is a wonderful view.
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