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History

Although Kobarid is an easily overlooked small town in the centre of the Soča Valley, its history has repeatedly shown to hold much more than expected. This was the spot of the largest mountain battle of all time, in which more than 60,000 soldiers fought on both sides, and through this region, the mighty army of Napoleon once tread.

Big names that have marked the history of this place: Dante Alighieri, Napoleon Bonaparte, Ernest Hemingway, Erwin Rommel, Simon Gregorčič.

Napoleon and the Soča Valley.

It was in 1797. In a simple tent somewhere near Kobarid, a tired Napoleon, surrounded by his army of 30,000, slept at a table and was then suddenly awoken by a young man named Gregory. 

With a sword pressed against his chest, the young man invited Napoleon to a duel, because he felt that his honour had been disgraced. His sixteen year old countess wife had deserted from one side to the other on account of Napoleon's admirable courage. She had even sent Napoleon a letter in which she expressed contempt for her husband General-Count Gregory. Napoleon denied any knowledge of this or any relationship with Gregory's beautiful wife and offered the enraged General an honourable exit. The cards were on the table and the situation became very tense. In the moment before Gregory would have managed to stab Napoleon, Gregory's beautiful wife appeared at the door and shot a bullet into her husband. The wife killed her husband and without hesitation save Napoleon's life. Napoleon Bonaparte thus survived yet another danger, a story that was never reported in the history books.  

Kluže Fortress and Napoleon Bonaparte:
After the battle in Kluže, in which 500 soldiers defended the fortress against 4500 French, it would have been customary for all 500 defenders to have been put to death by sword. The French chose not to do so. The prisoners were instead permitted to live. In his memoirs, Napoleon was later to write that this was an act of humanitarianism and was a shining example of such from the French wars.

Friendly tip: Various cultural events are frequently organised at Kluže Fortress. When you visit us, ask for a programme of events taking place. You can thus experience the Fortress from a slightly different angle. It is also well worth it to make a trip to the Mangartsko Sedlo and enjoy views of the mighty Loške Stene rock wall.