| Vršič Pass | |
|---|---|
 The Vršič Pass | |
| Elevation | 1,611 m (5,285 ft) |
| Traversed by | Ruska cesta |
| Location | Upper Carniola,Slovenia |
| Range | Julian Alps |
| Coordinates | 46°26′8″N13°44′40″E / 46.43556°N 13.74444°E /46.43556; 13.74444 |
  Vršič Pass Location of the Vršič Pass | |
TheVršič Pass (pronounced[ʋəɾˈʃitʃ];Slovene:prelaz Vršič,Italian:passo della Moistrocca,German:Werschetzpass)[1] is a highmountain pass across theJulian Alps in northwesternSlovenia. It is the highest pass in Slovenia, with an elevation of 1,611 metres (5,285 ft), as well as the highest in the Eastern Julian Alps. It connectsUpper Carniola with theTrenta Valley in theSlovene Littoral, and it is considered an excellent starting point for excursions to surrounding peaks.
The Slovene common nounvršič literally means 'little peak', a diminutive form of the wordvrh 'peak'. The name originally referred to Mount Vršič (1,738 m or 5,702 ft), located about 200 m (660 ft) east of the Vršič Pass. The nameVršič was not applied to the pass until 1911. The name of the peak was first attested in written sources asWerschez in 1763–87. Locally, the pass is known asNa močilu (first attested in 1763–87 asMuschizach orMushizhach).[2] TheItalian name of the pass wasMoistrocca.
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In its upper section, the Vršič Pass mostly consists of middle Triassic anisiandolomite. Underneath, there are grey limestones, sandstones, mica-rich sandstones, and brownish sandy marls in the lowest layer, covered by an extensive stack of Triassic rock from theLadinian to theCarnian. In the western part of the Vršič Pass, there is evidence of a main dislocation. The relief has been significantly eroded.[3]
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The Vršič pass has a width of 1 kilometer. The ridge is about 850 metres long. There are erosion shelfs and smallsinkholes.[3]
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The predominant vegetation isbeech forest mixing withlarch. There are alsocreeping pines andrhododendron.[3]
Vršič had formerly been traversed by a rough trail, used for logging and timber transportation. During WWI, the Austo-Hungarian military upgraded the trail into a modern road; it is now known as the Russian Road (Ruska cesta), for the Russian prisoners of war forced to build it between 1915 and 1917.[4][5]
From 1918 to World War II, the Vršič Pass marked the border between Italy and Yugoslavia. After 1945, together with the Upper Isonzo Valley north of Gorizia, both sides of the pass were incorporated into Yugoslavia, and later into Slovenia.
The Vršič Pass is considered an excellent starting point for excursions to surrounding peaks, including Mala Mojstrovka (2,332 m or 7,651 ft), Velika Mojstrovka (2,366 m or 7,762 ft), Planja (2,453 m or 8,048 ft),Prisojnik (Prisank (2,547 m or 8,356 ft),Razor (2,601 m or 8,533 ft), Šitna Glava (2,087 m or 6,847 ft), Slemenova Špica (1,911 m or 6,270 ft), Sovna Glava (1,750 m or 5,740 ft), and Suhi Vrh (2,109 m or 6,919 ft), or shorter hikes in the immediate area.
Several mountain lodges are located near the pass: the Erjavec Lodge (Erjavčeva koča; 1,515 m or 4,970 ft), the Tičar Lodge (Tičarjev dom; 1,620 m or 5,310 ft), Mike's Lodge (Mihov dom), the Forest Lodge (Koča na Gozdu; 1,226 m or 4,022 ft), and the Postman's Lodge (Poštarska koča; 1,725 m or 5,659 ft).
The road through the pass rises fromKranjska Gora, traverses the top of the Vršič Pass, and descends into theSoča Valley, via a series of 50hairpin bends. The upper elevations of the road are rendered impassable by heavy snowfall during much of winter. The road was greatly improved in late 1915 to supply theIsonzo Front ofWorld War I, and it was originally named afterArchduke Eugen ofAustria-Hungary. The current name, Russian Road (Ruska cesta), refers to the approximately ten to twelve thousand Russian prisoners of war used as laborers in the 1915 construction.[6]
Just off the main road, on the north side of the pass, at an elevation of around 1,200 m (3,900 ft), there is aRussian Orthodox chapel, built byRussianprisoners of war during World War I.
On the south side of the pass there is a bronze monument in honor of the mountaineer and writerJulius Kugy, a work by the architectBoris Kobe and the sculptorJakob Savinšek. It was erected in 1953.[7]
Čez prelaz Vršič ... je že od nekdaj vodila pot.
| Settlements | Administrative seat:Bovec
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| Settlements | Administrative seat:Kranjska Gora
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