| Soča/Isonzo | |
|---|---|
 The Soča nearBovec | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Slovenia,Italy |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Julian Alps, west ofTriglav |
| • elevation | 876 m (2,874 ft)[1] |
| Mouth | |
• location | Adriatic Sea, nearMonfalcone |
| Length | 138 km (86 mi)[1] |
| Basin size | 3,400 km2 (1,300 sq mi)[2] |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 172 m3/s (6,100 cu ft/s)[2] |
Soča (Slovene:[ˈsoːtʃa], inSlovene) orIsonzo (Italian:[iˈzontso], inItalian; other names:Friulian:Lusinç;German:Sontig;Latin:Aesontius orIsontius[3]) is a 138-kilometre (86 mi) longriver that flows through westernSlovenia (96 kilometres or 60 miles) and northeasternItaly (43 kilometres or 27 miles).[1]
AnAlpine river in character, its source lies in theTrenta Valley in theJulian Alps in northwestern Slovenia, at an elevation of 876 metres (2,874 ft).[1] The river runs past the towns ofBovec,Kobarid,Tolmin,Kanal ob Soči,Nova Gorica (where it is crossed by theSolkan Bridge), andGorizia, entering theAdriatic Sea close to the town ofMonfalcone. It has anival-pluvial regime in its upper course andpluvial-nival in its lower course.[4]
Prior to theFirst World War, the river ran parallel to the border betweenKingdom of Italy and theAustro-Hungarian Empire. During World War I, it wasthe scene of bitter fighting between the two countries, culminating in theBattle of Caporetto in October and November 1917.
The river was recorded in antiquity asAesontius,Sontius, andIsontius. Later attestations includesuper Sontium (in 507–11),a flumine Isontio (1028),in Lisonçum (1261),an die Ysnicz (1401), andan der Snicz (ca. 1440). The Slovene nameSoča is derived from the form*Sǫťa, which was borrowed from Latin (and Romance)Sontius. In turn, this is probably based on thesubstrate name*Aisontia, presumably derived from thePIE root*Hei̯s- 'swift, rushing', referring to a quickly moving river. Another possible origin is the pre-Romance root*ai̯s- 'water, river'.[5]
The present course of the river is the result of several dramatic changes that occurred during the past 2,000 years. According to theRoman historianStrabo, the river named Aesontius, which in Roman times flowed pastAquileia to the Adriatic Sea, was essentially theNatisone andTorre River system.[6]
In 585, a landslide cut off the upper part of the Natisone riverbed, causing itsavulsion and subsequentstream capture by the Bontius River. The original subterranean discharge of the Bontius into theTimavo River became obstructed, and another avulsion returned the new watercourse into the bed of the lower Natisone.
During the next centuries the estuary of this new river—the Soča—moved eastward until it captured the short coastal Sdobba River, through which the Isonzo now discharges into the Adriatic Sea. The former estuary (of the Aesontius, and the early Isonzo) in the newly formed lagoon ofGrado became an independent coastal rivulet.[7]
.jpg)
Due to itsemerald-green water, the river is marketed as "The Emerald Beauty." It is said to be one of the rare rivers in the world that retain such a colour throughout their length.[8]Giuseppe Ungaretti, one of the greatest Italian poets, describes the Isonzo in the poem "The Rivers".
The river inspired the poetSimon Gregorčič to write his best-known poemSoči (To the Soča), one of the masterpieces of Slovene poetry. This region served as a location for the 2008Disney filmChronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.[9]
The river is also well known for the marble trout (Salmo marmoratus); this species is native to rivers of the northern Adriatic basin, and it lives in the upper course of the river. This species is endangered due to the introduction of other non-indigenous trout species sometime between World War I and World War II.[10]
The Soca Valley is a popular tourist destination due to its numerous natural attractions, including the Big Soča Gorge (Velika korita Soče), the Little Soča Gorge (Mala korita Soče), Kozjak Falls, Virje Falls, and theTolmin Gorges (Tolminska korita).
The valley was the stage of major military operations includingthe twelve battles of the Isonzo on theItalian front in World War I between May 1915 and November 1917, in which over half a million Austro-Hungarian and Italian soldiers lost their lives.[11][12]
The Isonzo campaign comprised the following battles:
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
45°59′40″N13°38′29″E / 45.99444°N 13.64139°E /45.99444; 13.64139
