Koren Stream
Short Cross-border Watercourse
The Koren is a short stream, only a few kilometres long, with several sources in the nearby hills. At the same time, it is an international watercourse and one of the few natural links between the two Gorizias. The regulation of the stream was one of the key projects carried out by the youth brigades. Once a meandering stream that frequently flooded, the Koren was transformed into a straight canal. This was essentially a land-reclamation effort to make the terrain suitable for the construction of the new city.
With the development of Nova Gorica, the entire urban sewage system was also directed into the stream. This is believed to be the reason why the first residential blocks were built closer to the stream rather than on the other side of the main road (Magistrala): shorter sewage pipelines could be installed. This decision significantly influenced the city’s later urban development. Industrial wastewater from the nearby industrial zone was also discharged into the Koren. Likewise, it carried sewage from Gorizia, where parts of the stream were already covered shortly after the Second World War. Only decades later was a unified sewage system established, redirecting wastewater to a treatment plant located to the south, between Vrtojba and Miren.
Today, fish and ducks have returned to the stream. At the end of the Magistrala, between Fran Erjavec Primary School and the student dormitory, a concrete embankment with seating has also been arranged along its banks.
Parco della Valletta del Corno
On the Italian side, the uncovered section of the stream has been transformed into a park. The Koren valley, once overgrown and neglected due to its use as urban sewage, was redeveloped in 2025 into a 12-hectare park with 4.5 kilometres of walking paths. It also includes a skate park, outdoor fitness areas, playgrounds, and numerous benches for relaxation. With this project, Gorizia gained its largest urban park.
We recommend watching the programme Goriški sprehodi about the Koren stream at the YouTube link below.
Avtor: Blaž Kosovel