Trdnjava Kluže

About the museum

The mighty fortress above the Koritnica gorge, also called Bovška vrata (Bovec Gate), lies 4 km from Bovec towards the Predel pass. In the 15th century a wooden fortification stood on this site to prevent Ottoman raids into Carinthia; it was later replaced by a stone fortress, which an Austrian garrison defended in the 18th century against the army of General Napoleon Bonaparte. It took its present form in the 19th century, and in the 20th century it played an important role on the Soča Front.

Visitors can see the permanent exhibition, and during the summer season guided tours of the fortress and of the 400 m tunnel below it are organised. The tunnel was dug out by the Italians before the Second World War as a temporary drainage tunnel before the construction of a dam on the Koritnica; it leads to a viewpoint above the gorge.

Above the fortress, on the slope of Rombon, stands the Fort Hermann fortification, built between 1897 and 1900 as a support for the fortress; during the First World War it was heavily damaged by Italian shelling. The path to the ruins takes about half an hour on foot. It is not secured, so visitors go there at their own risk.

Highlights

• Fortress above the Koritnica gorge
• Permanent exhibition in the fortress
• Guided tour of the 400 m tunnel below the fortress
• Ruins of the Fort Hermann fortification on the slope of Rombon

Permanent exhibition

• Stalna razstava v trdnjavi Kluže – The permanent exhibition presents the history of the fortress and its role in defence against invasions and on the Soča Front.

Admission & discounts

Holders of the Julian Alps: Soča Valley destination card enter free. Special prices are published for hiring the fortress for events.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

A family ticket is available.

Getting there & parking

Trdnjava Kluže lies 4 km from Bovec in the direction of the Predel pass. From the fortress it is a walk of a little under half an hour along a marked path to Fort Hermann, through a 100 m long lit stone tunnel; a torch is recommended.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The fortress can be hired for events and groups: for the whole day outside the main season (July and August), or after 17:00.

Plan your visit