Primož (pronounced ['pɾiːmɔʃ]) is a 718-meter (2,356 ft) high hill overgrown with trees,[1] and is a part of a ridge separating the Pivka Basin from the Reka Valley. It is located in the Municipality of Pivka in the Inner Carniola region of Slovenia. It has many marked trails and a gravel road leading to its peak. There is a historical trail intended for tourists with many information signs around its peak. It served an important military role during the Second World War because it contained many tunnels and bunkers used by Italian army.[1] It is named after Saints Primus and Felician Church, which was abandoned in the eighteenth century with practically no ruins remaining.[2]

Primož
Primož is located in Slovenia
Primož
Primož
Municipality of Pivka, Inner Carniola, Slovenia
Highest point
Elevation781 m (2,562 ft)
Prominence153 m (502 ft)
Coordinates45°40′12.4″N 14°12′9.11″E / 45.670111°N 14.2025306°E / 45.670111; 14.2025306
Naming
Language of nameSlovene
Pronunciation'pɾiːmɔʃ
Geography
LocationMunicipality of Pivka, Inner Carniola, Slovenia

Location

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Primož Hill is located in the Municipality of Pivka in the Inner Carniola region of Slovenia. The town of Pivka is built on the northern and northeastern slopes of Primož Hill.[1] It has a commanding view over the entire Pivka Basin, which contributed to its military importance during the Second World War.

History

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After the end of World War I, Primož Hill became Italian territory following an agreement between Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia alongside South Tyrol, Istria, Dalmatia and various islands in the Adriatic Sea. On November 12, 1920, the border was drawn in accordance with the Treaty of Rapallo, crossing the Pivka Basin, on the ridge of the Javorniki mountain chain. Primož Hill's military tunnels were dug in 1930 as a part of the 1,850-kilometer (1,150 mi) Alpine Wall, a vast series of Italian defense fortifications. The tunnels consisted of two lines; one directly on the border, and the second one a few kilometers behind it. Locals were kept away from the tunnels, and were only allowed to bring basic materials and food near its premises. The tunnels were constructed only by verified members of the Italian National Fascist Party.[2] The tunnels were secured with steel plates coated with a thick layer of concrete. The tunnels are 481 meters (1,578 ft) long in total,[2] but they were never used for military purposes.[3] After the withdrawal of Italian forces, local people took valuables from the area, and in 1944, German forces destroyed the tunnels in fear that allied Partisans would find a military use for them.[2]

There are a number of hiking trails leading to the peak. The historical trail has information signs at the summit which explain the history of Primož Hill in detail. From its peak, most of the Pivka Basin can be seen, including Lake Palčje after heavy rainfall.[4]

All hiking trails to the peak
Name Starting point Distance Time Increase in elevation Difficulty Trail markings
Krpan Trail (Krpanova pot)[5] Kolodvorska cesta, Pivka[1] 1.4 km 25 min[1] 153 m[1] easy[1] yes[1]
Parje–Primož[1] Parje[1] 2.3 km 40 min[1] 173 m[1] easy[1] no[1]
Pivka Park of Military History – Primož[2] Pivka Park of Military History, 51 Kolodvorska cesta, Pivka 2.7 km 45 min[2] 150 m[2] easy[2] yes[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Primož". www.hribi.net. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Primož nad Pivko". www.druzina.si. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  3. ^ "Utrdba Alpskega zidu na Primožu". Park vojaške zgodovine. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  4. ^ "Primož in Šilentabor | Občina Vrhnika | MojaObčina.si". www.mojaobcina.si (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  5. ^ "Po Krpanovi poti na Primož in na Šilentabor". www.pdsezana.org. Retrieved 2020-04-05.