Obalno-karška, the sun, and caves
The beautiful region of Obalno-karška is at the southeast side of Slovenia, along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Obalno-karška is associated with sun, caves and horses.
The landscape of Obalno-karška varies a lot. On the coast are vineyards, olive trees, and salt work fields, while in the karst are caves and sinkholes.
Situated along the Slovenian coast are many towns of interest such as Piran, Portorož, Izola, Koper, and Strunjan.
One of the most important and enchanting towns in Obalno-karška is Piran, the peninsula of Slovenia. The architecture is closely related to the sea with narrowed streets and sun-kissed houses – a very lovely sight. The Tartini Square is picturesque, the City Wall of Piran offers a breathtaking view and the St-George Cathedral is the biggest church in Piran. The sea is fantastic and the water is clear, but the beach has no sand, only rocks.
For those who love spa and wellness centers, Portorož is the place to go. The public beach in Portorož is well-maintained and is the biggest on the Slovenian coastline.
From the old town of Izola, the Gulf of Trieste, Italy, can be easily seen. The town offers an unforgettable romantic ambiance paired with Mediterranean architectures.
The port of Koper is one of the most influential Italian entry points on the Slovenian coast. The locals speak fluent Italian and Slovene. The bell tower in the Church of the Assumption in Koper holds one of the oldest bells in Slovenia.
The sea coast of Slovenia is famous for its salt pans – beautiful area of natural sun-kissed salt. The most known salt in Slovenia is Piranske Soline, whose delicate salt flower will add extra flavor to any dishes. The salt is only produced in two part of the Slovenian coast: Sečovlje and Strunjan. The Sečovlje Salina Nature Park is the most important marsh wetland on the coast, as well as home to a large variety of bird species. Lepa Vida Thalasso Spa offers many beneficial spa treatments right from the sea. There is also salt pans in Strunjan, but it is more famous for the Strunjan Cliff with its impressive 80 meters high layers of soft flysch wall, the highest on the Adriatic coast. The green Bay of Strunjan is notable for its geological interest and biodiversity.
Near the town of Sežana is the cultural monument of Lipica Stud Farm, a farm that breeds only one brand of horse: the Lipicanec, a majestic and noble light gray riding horse. The horses roam free in the vast pasture, and they can be easily seen and photographed.
In the karst part of the Obalno-karška, the landscape is completely different. The Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO World heritage site, is one of the most important and impressive underground phenomena as it is home to the largest discovered underground canyon worldwide. The Risnik sinkhole is a nice example of the unique landscape of the region.
Obalno-karška is an awesome region for enjoying a day at the sea or visiting impressive underground caves. The coast area is famous for its Piran salt while the karst is known for its meat product: kraški pršut(dried meat), kraški zašink (cured neck meat) and kraška panceta (cured pork belly).
