Dolina Soče Joins Presentation of Cross-Border Efforts in Literary Tourism through the DANTE Project drawing Inspiration from Dante Alighieri

On November 4, 2024, representatives from the Soča Valley company (Dolina Soče d.o.o.), took part in a workshop held in Izola as part of the DANTE Interreg project, upon invitation from the project partners. Together with project partners, affiliated partners, and other participants, we explored examples of good practices in literary tourism dedicated to poet Dante Alighieri and in general at the Manzioli Palace. The workshop provided a platform for joint brainstorming and developing proposals for new cross-border literary and tourism routes.

The DANTE project envisions the creation of a cross-border literary route based on five interactive interpretive cultural paths, which will be interconnected and integrated with existing routes in Tuscany and Veneto through “Dante’s points” in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Slovenia’s Primorska region.This route will include also three visitor centres dedicated to Dante Alighieri in Izola, Tolmin, and Cegga, where cross-border events will be organized to highlight shared literary and cultural heritage and promote the associated routes. One of the main partners in the project is also Tolmin museum in Soča valley.

Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy was partly created in what is now Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Soča Valley, once under the Patriarch of Aquileia. After his exile from Florence, Dante traveled through northern Italian cities and likely stayed at Duino Castle near Trieste. It’s believed he also visited Tolmin, hosted by Patriarch Pagano Della Torre. Evidence of Dante’s presence in the region includes a codex held in Venice’s Marciana Library, created in Izola, Slovenia.

Dante’s legacy forms a foundation for this cross-border tourism and literary initiative. The Soča Valley company, Dolina Soče, can contributes to the project by designing sustainable and impactful routes, along with supporting marketing efforts, content development, events along the route and especially long-term guided programs to bring Dante’s legacy to life for visitors. Now we already offer guided tours to local Dante’s cave. Chech our offer for visiting the Dante’s cave.