One of the most brilliant pieces of engineering! Check out the story of the Solkan Bridge!

Just three minutes from the Italian border and the center of Solkan town, nestled in the very northwest of the Vipava Valley, stands the awe-inspiring Solkan bridge which spans across the breathtaking turquoise waters of the Soča River, and it proudly holds the title of the world’s longest arched stone railway bridge.

This remarkable structure never fails to captivate visitors, whether you view it from the air or ground. It’s a sight that enchants not only tourists but also railway conductors from every corner of the globe.

Solkan Bridge, Photo: Jrp_studio, Depositphotos

Constructed at the beginning of the 20th century, in 1905, as part of the Bohinj Railway between Gorica and Jesenice, this brilliant piece of engineering spans over 85 meters and its total length reaches 219.7 meters.

Designed by the architect Rudolf Jaussner and engineer Leopold Örley, the Solkan bridge was built from 1960 cubic meters of stone shaped into 4,533 ashlar blocks.

Solkan Bridge, Photo: Jrp_studio, Depositphotos

At the time of construction, engineers came across many complications. The major problem was weak soil foundations, but they managed to find a way to connect both sides by shifting the bridge to the side and finally finishing it in time.

Solkan Bridge was then put into operation in 1906, and the first train to mark this major accomplishment was a train arriving from Vienna towards Trieste.

Solkan Bridge, Photo: Jrp_studio, Depositphotos

It was significantly damaged only once during World War I and completely rebuilt according to its original plans. The only difference was that the main arch now has four subarches, not five.

Much later, during World War II, although bombed the bridge survived and was quickly fixed right after it.

Solkan Bridge, Photo: Jrp_studio, Depositphotos

Since then, it has been faithfully serving the public while benefiting from its special protective status. Be sure to include a visit to this remarkable structure in your itinerary.