In the 19th century, Gorizia was dubbed the "Nice of Austria" by Baron Carl von Czoernig, who was so enamored with the city that he promoted it as a holiday destination, particularly a winter retreat for the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy. Its geographic location, the charm of its gardens, mild climate, breathtaking landscapes, and elegant atmosphere had already won over many European nobles—so much so that the Bourbons of France chose Gorizia as their place of exile. It was here that King Charles X died in 1836 and was buried in the crypt of the monastery of Kostanjevica.

The title of European Capital of Culture "GO! 2025" presents an opportunity to rediscover and enhance this vast green heritage in a cross-border context, revisiting and updating some of Baron von Czoernig's original ideas for promoting the area.

This is the context within which the event "Green Capital, GO! 2025 – City of Parks, Gardens, and Bees. Biodiversity Week" was created, with the intention of reviving the atmosphere still present in many parts of the city. It’s no coincidence that Gorizia is still often referred to as the greenest city in Italy. The event is organized by the Municipality of Gorizia, in collaboration with the Municipality of Nova Gorica, EGTC GO, University of Udine, University of Trieste, Confcommercio Gorizia, Italian Botanical Society, Mitteldream, Prologo, Legambiente Gorizia Aps, The House of the Bee, and numerous citizens passionate about history and nature, with support from the CARIGO Foundation.

The initiative, "Green Capital, GO!2025 – City of Parks and Bees. Biodiversity Week", will take place from Monday, September 1 to Sunday, September 7 and was presented this morning in the White Hall of the Municipality of Gorizia by Patrizia Artico, Councillor for the European Capital of Culture, along with Tomaž Horvat, Deputy Mayor of Nova Gorica, Francesco Del Sordi, Councillor for Local Police, Environment, Urban Greenery, Urban Safety, Mobility, Cycling Development, Environmental Protection, Civil Protection, Maintenance and Municipal Fleet, and Chiara Gatta, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Urban Planning of Gorizia.

This unique and unprecedented event is fully aligned with the values and objectives of GO! 2025, as it aims to promote and celebrate the countless parks and beautiful green spaces that define the cross-border region—continuing the legacy of Gorizia's historic title as the "Nice of Austria", famed for its greenery and healthy climate.

Main Events

The opening of "Green Capital, GO! 2025 – City of Parks, Gardens, and Bees. Biodiversity Week" is scheduled for Monday, September 1 at 5:00 PM in the Valletta del Corno Park, a beautiful green lung of the city, recently restored and reopened. Alongside the presentation of a new green map, there will be a conference on the history and features of the green spaces of the twin cities, followed by a historical and nature walk in Valletta del Corno with Roberto Covaz and Liubina Debeni.

From September 1 to 7, a wide range of activities will take place, including the involvement of local businesses, which will decorate their shop windows with themed displays, botanical treasure hunts, creative workshops, themed menus and tastings, lectures and awareness-raising events on urban biodiversity, supported by the Municipal Public Greenery Service.

A special focus will be dedicated to bees and awareness campaigns for their protection, continuing the project initiated by city councillor Nicole Turri. Events will include a full day of bee-themed activities and two exhibitions: an art exhibition, “The Symphony of Biodiversity”, organized by Prologo featuring 12 artists and a photography exhibition organized by Mitteldream, both opening on September 2 at 11:00 AM.

Throughout the week, there will also be guided park walks, conferences, children’s workshops, tastings of honey-based products and a botanical treasure hunt.

Special Highlights
As part of "Green Capital", Gorizia will also host the 120th Congress of the Italian Botanical Society / XI International Plant Science Conference (IPSC), promoted in collaboration with the Universities of Trieste and Udine. The congress will take place from Wednesday, September 3 to Saturday, September 6, with main sessions from September 3–5 at the Auditorium of Friulian Culture (Via Roma 23).

One of the key moments will be the public event:
"Plants: The Border Between Earth and Sky – The Impact of Climate Change at the Edge of Life", scheduled for September 3 at 8:30 PM, open to all.

A new cross-border green map will also be launched, highlighting the most well-known parks and green spaces in both cities. This publication with photos and information will be valuable for both residents and tourists and will be open for updates through the “Discover Gorizia” website.

Friday, September 5 – Public Forum
In Piazza Vittoria, the forum “Let’s Design the City of the Future Together” will be held with the participation of Legambiente and others, aimed at sharing ideas and guidelines for the green future of GO! 2025. The event is open to the entire public.

Saturday, September 6 – Bee Day
This day will be entirely dedicated to bees, featuring local beekeepers and merchants, under the title "GoBees: Bees in the City". The initiative continues the municipality's “Bee Trail” project, which features flower beds with colorful and aromatic plants that attract these vital but vulnerable insects. A photo exhibition "Bees and Biodiversity" will also be presented as part of this event.

Additional Events
Activities by the GOGREEN business network will take place in the Viatori Garden of the CARIGO Foundation, including:

A night tour in collaboration with the Astronomical Cultural Association of Farra d'Isonzo ODV on September 5 at 7:30 PM.
Sasaki, a storytelling experience from the goGreen project by CARIGO Foundation, inspired by the visit of Japanese official Nagaatsu Sasaki, scheduled for September 7 at 10:00 AM.

Health and Sustainable Fashion
“Diabetes on Wheels”, organized by the association of the same name, will take place on September 6 at 7:30 PM in Piazza Vittoria.
"From Waste to Beauty. Borderless Design Exhibition" – a sustainable fashion show featuring outfits and projects by young designers who explore creativity as a tool for environmental awareness and regeneration. Scheduled for September 6 at 6:30 PM at The Circle (Via Rastello 91).

Programme

The complete program with dates and times of park walks, conferences, and events is available below and will be updated regularly on the official website and social media channels of the Municipality of Gorizia.