Mrzli vrh the battlefield of the world war 1Mrzli vrh is situated

Mrzli vrh 1359 m is situated above Tolmin. It was a protector of a tolmin bridgehead during theWW1. The Austro Hungrian troops retreated to the left bank of Soča (Isonzo) river. But only at tolmin and Gorica they held the bridgehead because of it's strategic positions. The Italian troops tried to size Mrzli vrh from 1915 to 1917 with no succes.That is why this mountain is known for to be: the mountain of steel and blood. On the picture there is an old shepherd cottage, covered by old military covering for trenches.

Planina Pretovč (planina means posture, mountain posture). Accros this mountain saddle there vas a frontline between Austro Hungarina and Italian troops.

A view towards Krn 2245 m high. Krn (Monte Nero in Italian-wrong translation of Krn because they thought that Krn means črn-black in Slovene) was taken wright at the beginnig of the fighting on soča batlefield. From Krn Italians could support their troops on mrzli vrh and Batognica ridge with artillery. And from the other side there was Kolovrat peak, that could also support Italian troops on Mrzli vrh. So Mrzli vrh was wedged into the Italian lines. It as said before, protected bridgehead for Most na Soči and importan position because of railway line that made logistics easier fro Austro Hungarina side. It also closed the path to Idrijca valley that led towards the center on monarchy.

Entry to caverns of Austro hungarian troops, the only shelter from artiller shells. Hungarian soldiers built an oltar inside.

View towards Batognica, Krn and Rdeči rob. Frontline went accros the saddle up into the mountains.

A view toward Tolmin mountains and in the center of the picture ( in th distance) there is a Javorca church built by Austro Hungarian soldiers, where 30 000 names of fallen soldiers are written in wooden panels.

On the top of the ridge (upper part of the picture) were Austro hungarian lines. just beneath the ridge (sometimes no more than 20 m appart) were Italian trenches. This situation lasted for almost 2 years. If you look closely at the picture you could still spot mine and artillery shell craters.

Planina Lapoč. A really beautiful piece of land, it's beneath Mrzli vrh. Italians took it at the beginnig of the fightings.

Panoramic view to Soča valley. On the other side is a Kolovrat peak.. The Italian troops were situated on the top. On 24 and 25 of october (at the time and oberst Lieutenant) Erwin rommel captured this peak. He started at he bottom of the valley on the far left side of the picture and after 50 hours of fighting he sized the mountain of Matajur (not on the picture). There is now a border between Italy and Slovenia on the tops of that ridge.

Spring in a park

Krnsko jezero

I've visited Krnsko jezero (lake) after one year. It was covered in snow although it's situated on 1300 m, because it hides in the shadows of mountain peaks.  I didn't have my Nikon SLR camera because it had a fault on sensor. I didn't focus correctly. So I had to do with a compact Nikon S8000 coolpix camera.

Soča, always beautiful

Snowy look towards Lepena valley.

Path goes along old Austro Hungarian military road. Near lake were Austrian front lines during great war, while on the top of Krn 2245 m were Italians that took the peak from Hungarian soldiers at the beginning of war.

Look across the lake towards peak of Krn, main peak after which this lake was named after. To the left of Krn (not visible on the picture) there was ridge of Batognica. There a great mine warfare took place during WW1. The opposite sides were 80 m appart for almost 2 years.