Architectural excursion for team OHS to Nova Gorica and Gorizia

On Saturday, 7 March 2026, this year’s Open House Slovenia team set off to Nova Gorica and Gorizia. A walk through the architecture of both cities revealed layers of urban development and prompted reflection on space, identity, and the connection of two cities on the border.

We began at the Damir Feigel Library – National and University Library, where we were welcomed by Alex Devetak. The library, housed in the former Trade House designed by architect Maks Fabiani, is an important space for the Slovenian community in Gorizia and a symbol of the continuity of Slovenian culture in this border town.

We then took a walk through Nova Gorica with architect Robert Potokar. We visited the France Bevk Library in Nova Gorica, which anchors the central town square and symbolically connects old Gorizia with Nova Gorica, and the SNG Nova Gorica by architect Vojteh Ravnikar – a significant postmodern cultural building in the city centre.

After lunch and coffee at Bookshop – café MAKS, we made our way through the Vrtača railway underpass to Europe Square, which re-establishes a shared public space between the two cities.

We also visited the EPIC centre and the exhibition “City on the Border” with Dr. Kaja Širok, as well as Villa Rafut by architect Anton Laščak, with its exotic garden. We rounded off the day with a visit to an installation in the colourful DATA TUNNEL – Galleria Bombi, a former military tunnel now transformed into a vibrant public space.

The excursion offered us a glimpse into the interplay of architecture, history, and urban space that today connects Nova Gorica and Gorizia, and sent us home full of inspiration.