Štanjel

Kras (Carso in Italian), also called the Classical Karst or the Kras Plateau, is a limestone borderline plateau region of southwestern Slovenia extending into northeastern Italy. It lies between the Vipava valley, the Vipavska brda, the most westerly part of Brkini hills, Gulf of Trieste and a short part of Italian state border between the Gulf of Trieste and the Vipava River. Its western border is an old ethnic border between Italians and Slovenes. The region is famous as the inspiration for the geological term karst topography.

The plateau rises quite steeply above the neighboring landscape, with the exception of the southeastern side, where the steepness is less pronounced. The plateau gradually descends from the southeast to the southwest. On average it lies 334 meters above sea level. Because Kras steeply descends towards the Adriatic Sea (see: Kraški rob), it is less exposed to the beneficial climatological effects of the sea. The main vegetation in the past were oaks, but now are pine forests. Forests now cover only one third of Kras.

Kras is famous for its caves. In Slovenia, they include Vilenica (the oldest tourist cave in the world), Lipica cave, Divača cave, Kačna cave, Postojna cave and Škocjan caves (UNESCO world heritage site), while in Italy there is the Grotta Gigante.

Most of Kras is located in Southwestern Slovenia on an area of 429 square kilometers, and has a population of about 19,000 people. Kras as a whole has exactly 100 settlements. The town of Sežana is the center of Kras on the Slovene side of the border; it is where the poet Srečko Kosovel was born. The main rural centers are the settlements of Divača, Dutovlje and Komen. Štanjel is a picturesque nucleate settlement at the top of the northern rim of the plateau; its houses are tightly clustered around the Turn hill, giving it the appearance of a medieval city.

What gives the Karst its special characteristic is the combination of the Continental climate of central Slovenia and the mild submediterranean climate of the Northern Adriatic. Natural conditions, including the bora (burja) wind, and the local way of life all shaped the elements of Kras architecture, creating simple but well-defined forms. Kras is widely known for its wine, named Teran, and Pršut ham (prosciutto). One of the main tourist centers in the area is Lipica, with horse stables (the home of the Lipizzan horse breed) as well as other tourist facilities.

The Karst offers both rich natural and cultural heritage. These include numerous  karstic features along with the living environment, villages, pastures, vineyards, enclosures, stone vernacular architecture, waterholes and wells, as well as tranquility and relaxation either in wine cellars or in one of the many touristic farms, restaurants and osmicas (where farmers open their doors and serve their homegrown food and wine for one week every year ) where you will enjoy sampling various local gastronomy and wines which will be kindly served to you by the hospitable local people.

Kraski prsut - The Karst ham