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{{about|the region in Slovenia and Italy|the stadium|Kras Stadion|the company|Kraš|the oncogene|KRAS|the wine|Carso DOC|the conglomerate company|Grupo Carso}} |
{{about|the region in Slovenia and Italy|the stadium|Kras Stadion|the company|Kraš|the oncogene|KRAS|the wine|Carso DOC|the conglomerate company|Grupo Carso}} |
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[[File:Rilke 05.jpg|thumb|The cliffs of [[Duino]] ({{lang-sl|Devin}}) and the gulf of [[Sistiana]], [[Province of Trieste]], [[Italy]], seen from the [[Rilke Trail]]]] |
[[File:Rilke 05.jpg|thumb|The cliffs of [[Duino]] ({{lang-sl|Devin}}) and the gulf of [[Sistiana]], [[Province of Trieste]], [[Italy]], seen from the [[Rilke Trail]]]] |
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'''Karst''' ({{lang-it|Carso}}; {{lang-sl|Kras}}), also known as the '''Karst Plateau''', is a limestone borderline [[plateau]] region |
'''Karst''' ({{lang-it|Carso}}; {{lang-sl|Kras}}), also known as the '''Karst Plateau''', is a limestone borderline [[plateau]] region, famous for having given the name to [[karst topography]]. For this reason, it is also referred to as the ''Classical Karst''. It is characterized by caves as one of karst phenomena, especially known are [[Škocjan Caves]] (a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]) with the [[Reka (river)|Reka]] river's flowing underground through the largest discovered underground chamber in the [[Europe]] of a volume of 2.2 million cubic meters. |
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The western edge of the plateau also marks the traditional ethnic border between [[Italians]] and [[Slovenes]]. |
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== Geographical position == |
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==Geography== |
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The plateau rises quite steeply above the neighboring landscape, except for its northeastern side, where the steepness is less pronounced. The plateau gradually descends from the southeast to the southwest. On average it lies 334 m above sea level. Its western edge, known as the [[Karst Rim]] ({{lang-sl|[[:sl:Kraški rob|Kraški rob]]}}), is a continuation of the [[Učka]] mountain range in eastern [[Istria]], and rises to the east and southeast of [[Trieste]], ending in steep cliffs between [[Aurisina]] and [[Duino]]. Many interesting geological phenomena occur along the Karst Rim, including the picturesque [[Val Rosandra|Rosandra Valley]] (also known as Glinščica). |
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On average the Slovenian Karst plateau lies 334 meters above sea level. Its western edge, known as the [[Karst Rim]] ({{lang-sl|[[:sl:Kraški rob|Kraški rob]]}}), is a continuation of the [[Učka]] mountain range in eastern [[Istria]]. Because it steeply descends towards the [[Adriatic Sea]] it is less exposed to the beneficial climatological effects of the [[Mediterranean]], although it borders on [[Trieste]], ending in steep cliffs between [[Aurisina]] and [[Duino]]. Except for its northeastern side, where the steepness is less pronounced and it borders on [[Vipava Valley]] with its low hills, the Slovenian Karst rises steeply above the neighboring landscape. |
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Many interesting geological phenomena occur along the Karst Rim, including the picturesque [[Val Rosandra|Rosandra Valley]] ({{lang-sl|Glinščica}}). |
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In the past, the main vegetation on the plateau was [[oak]]s, but these were replaced by [[pine]] forests in the 19th and 20th centuries. [[Forest]]s now cover only one-third of the Karst. |
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The Karst is famous for its [[cave]]s. In Slovenia, they include [[Vilenica Cave]] (the oldest [[show cave]] in Europe), [[Lipica Cave]], [[Divača Cave]], [[Kačna Cave]], [[Postojna Cave]], and [[Škocjan Caves]] (a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]), and [[Grotta Gigante]] in Italy (the largest show cave in the world). |
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The Karst is famous for its [[cave]]s. The most known among them are [[Škocjan Caves]] (a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]) in Slovenia, and [[Grotta Gigante]] in Italy (the largest [[show cave]] in the world), but include other caves such as the [[Vilenica Cave]] (the oldest [[show cave]] in Europe), [[Lipica Cave]], [[Divača Cave]], [[Kačna Cave]], and [[Postojna Cave]]. |
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Most of the Karst is located in the [[Slovenian Littoral]], covering an area of 429 square kilometres, with a population of about 19,000 people. The Karst as a whole has exactly 100 settlements. The town of [[Sežana]] is the center of the region on the Slovene side of the border. The main rural centers are the settlements of [[Divača]], [[Dutovlje]], and [[Komen]]. [[Štanjel]] is a picturesque clustered settlement at the top of the northern rim of the [[plateau]]; its houses are tightly clustered around Turn Hill, giving it the appearance of a [[medieval]] town. On the Italian side of the border, important settlements include [[Opicina]], [[Duino]], and [[Aurisina]]. |
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Natural conditions, including the [[Bora (wind)|bora]] ({{lang-sl|burja}}) wind, and the local way of life all shaped the elements of Karst [[architecture]], creating simple but well-defined forms. |
Natural conditions, including the [[Bora (wind)|bora]] ({{lang-sl|burja}}) wind, and the local way of life all shaped the elements of Karst [[architecture]], creating simple but well-defined forms. |
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[[Lipica]] with its [[stud farm]] is famous for having given the name to another international phenomenon - the [[Lipizzan]] horse breed. |
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== Language, culture and traditions == |
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==Settlements== |
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The Slovenian Karst has exactly 100 settlements with a population of about 19,000 people, [[Sežana]] being its center. Other rural centers include [[Divača]], [[Dutovlje]], and [[Komen]]. The most picturesque among them is [[Štanjel]] with its houses tightly clustered around Turn Hill, giving it the appearance of a [[medieval]] town at the top of the northern rim of the plateau. The area has 429 square kilometres. |
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On the Italian side of the border, important settlements include [[Opicina]], [[Duino]], and [[Aurisina]]. |
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==Language== |
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The vast majority of the inhabitants of the Karst Plateau are ethnic [[Slovenes]]. They speak two closely related [[Slovene dialects]], both belonging to the [[Littoral dialect group]]. In the southern part of the plateau (in the municipality of [[Divača]], [[Hrpelje-Kozina]], the southern part of the [[Sežana]] municipality, in the Italian municipality of [[Monrupino]] and in most of the Slovene-speaking areas of the municipality of [[Trieste]]), the [[Inner Carniolan dialect]] is spoken. In the northern part (the northern part of the Sežana municipality, in the Slovenian municipalities of [[Komen]], [[Miren-Kostanjevica]], in the Italian municipalities of [[Sgonico]], [[Duino-Aurisina]] and [[Doberdò del Lago]], as well in some eastern suburbs of [[Trieste]], like [[Barcola]]), the [[Karst dialect]] is spoken. |
The vast majority of the inhabitants of the Karst Plateau are ethnic [[Slovenes]]. They speak two closely related [[Slovene dialects]], both belonging to the [[Littoral dialect group]]. In the southern part of the plateau (in the municipality of [[Divača]], [[Hrpelje-Kozina]], the southern part of the [[Sežana]] municipality, in the Italian municipality of [[Monrupino]] and in most of the Slovene-speaking areas of the municipality of [[Trieste]]), the [[Inner Carniolan dialect]] is spoken. In the northern part (the northern part of the Sežana municipality, in the Slovenian municipalities of [[Komen]], [[Miren-Kostanjevica]], in the Italian municipalities of [[Sgonico]], [[Duino-Aurisina]] and [[Doberdò del Lago]], as well in some eastern suburbs of [[Trieste]], like [[Barcola]]), the [[Karst dialect]] is spoken. |
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==Food and wine== |
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As tourist destination the Karst is renowned for its strong red [[wine]] (known as [[teran]]) and [[Karst prosciutto]], a sort of [[dry-cured ham]], which is protected brand [[Protected Geographical Status|at the European level]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/zdaj-uradno-originalen-kraski-prsut-zasciten-v-eu.html |title=Zdaj uradno originalen: kraški pršut zaščiten v EU |language=Slovene |trans_title=Now Officially Original: The Karst Prosciutto Protected in the EU |newspaper=Delo.si |date=15 June 2012}}</ref> |
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==Culture== |
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== Prominent natives and residents == |
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[[Image:Kraševci-Valvasor.jpg|thumb|230px|Karst peasants in a engraving from [[Johann Weikhard von Valvasor]]'s monograph ''[[The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola]]'', 17th century.]] |
[[Image:Kraševci-Valvasor.jpg|thumb|230px|Karst peasants in a engraving from [[Johann Weikhard von Valvasor]]'s monograph ''[[The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola]]'', 17th century.]] |
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⚫ | The picturesque Karst landscape inspired numerous artist that were not from this region, including the poets [[Rainer Maria Rilke]], [[Alojz Gradnik]], and [[Edvard Kocbek]], essayists [[Scipio Slataper]] and [[Marjan Rožanc]], writers [[Italo Svevo]], [[Fulvio Tomizza]] and [[Susanna Tamaro]], and film director [[Jan Cvitkovič]]. Many artists and authors settled in the area, including [[Josip Osti]] and [[Taras Kermauner]]. |
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==People== |
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Prominent persons that were born or lived in this region include the poets [[Srečko Kosovel]], [[Igo Gruden]], [[Ciril Zlobec]] and [[Branka Jurca]], social activist [[Danilo Dolci]], architect [[Max Fabiani]], painters [[Avgust Černigoj]] and [[Lojze Spacal]], writers [[Alojz Rebula]], [[Igor Torkar]], and [[Bogomir Magajna]], theologian [[Anton Mahnič]], politicians [[Drago Marušič]], [[Josip Ferfolja]] and [[Majda Širca]], economist [[Milko Brezigar]], and actress [[Ita Rina]]. |
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==History== |
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⚫ | The Karst plateau suffered radical deforestation for economic reasons starting in the [[Middle Ages]]. Although much of the wood for the closely spaced [[Deep foundation|piles]] that support the island city of [[Venice]], [[Italy]] came from this region, Venice carefully managed the Karst forests as a reserve for naval timber. The most radical deforestation occurred in the mid-nineteenth century due to clear-cutting by local farmers and conversion of the land into pastures for sheep. |
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== Geographical extension== |
== Geographical extension== |
Revision as of 13:00, 18 June 2012
Karst (Italian: Carso; Slovene: Kras), also known as the Karst Plateau, is a limestone borderline plateau region, famous for having given the name to karst topography. For this reason, it is also referred to as the Classical Karst. It is characterized by caves as one of karst phenomena, especially known are Škocjan Caves (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with the Reka river's flowing underground through the largest discovered underground chamber in the Europe of a volume of 2.2 million cubic meters.
The western edge of the plateau also marks the traditional ethnic border between Italians and Slovenes.
Geography
On average the Slovenian Karst plateau lies 334 meters above sea level. Its western edge, known as the Karst Rim (Slovene: Kraški rob), is a continuation of the Učka mountain range in eastern Istria. Because it steeply descends towards the Adriatic Sea it is less exposed to the beneficial climatological effects of the Mediterranean, although it borders on Trieste, ending in steep cliffs between Aurisina and Duino. Except for its northeastern side, where the steepness is less pronounced and it borders on Vipava Valley with its low hills, the Slovenian Karst rises steeply above the neighboring landscape.
Many interesting geological phenomena occur along the Karst Rim, including the picturesque Rosandra Valley (Slovene: Glinščica).
In the past, the main vegetation on the plateau was oaks, but these were replaced by pine forests in the 19th and 20th centuries. Forests now cover only one-third of the Karst.
The Karst is famous for its caves. The most known among them are Škocjan Caves (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Slovenia, and Grotta Gigante in Italy (the largest show cave in the world), but include other caves such as the Vilenica Cave (the oldest show cave in Europe), Lipica Cave, Divača Cave, Kačna Cave, and Postojna Cave.
Natural conditions, including the bora (Slovene: burja) wind, and the local way of life all shaped the elements of Karst architecture, creating simple but well-defined forms.
Lipica with its stud farm is famous for having given the name to another international phenomenon - the Lipizzan horse breed.
Settlements
The Slovenian Karst has exactly 100 settlements with a population of about 19,000 people, Sežana being its center. Other rural centers include Divača, Dutovlje, and Komen. The most picturesque among them is Štanjel with its houses tightly clustered around Turn Hill, giving it the appearance of a medieval town at the top of the northern rim of the plateau. The area has 429 square kilometres.
On the Italian side of the border, important settlements include Opicina, Duino, and Aurisina.
Language
The vast majority of the inhabitants of the Karst Plateau are ethnic Slovenes. They speak two closely related Slovene dialects, both belonging to the Littoral dialect group. In the southern part of the plateau (in the municipality of Divača, Hrpelje-Kozina, the southern part of the Sežana municipality, in the Italian municipality of Monrupino and in most of the Slovene-speaking areas of the municipality of Trieste), the Inner Carniolan dialect is spoken. In the northern part (the northern part of the Sežana municipality, in the Slovenian municipalities of Komen, Miren-Kostanjevica, in the Italian municipalities of Sgonico, Duino-Aurisina and Doberdò del Lago, as well in some eastern suburbs of Trieste, like Barcola), the Karst dialect is spoken.
Food and wine
As tourist destination the Karst is renowned for its strong red wine (known as teran) and Karst prosciutto, a sort of dry-cured ham, which is protected brand at the European level.[1]
Culture
The picturesque Karst landscape inspired numerous artist that were not from this region, including the poets Rainer Maria Rilke, Alojz Gradnik, and Edvard Kocbek, essayists Scipio Slataper and Marjan Rožanc, writers Italo Svevo, Fulvio Tomizza and Susanna Tamaro, and film director Jan Cvitkovič. Many artists and authors settled in the area, including Josip Osti and Taras Kermauner.
People
Prominent persons that were born or lived in this region include the poets Srečko Kosovel, Igo Gruden, Ciril Zlobec and Branka Jurca, social activist Danilo Dolci, architect Max Fabiani, painters Avgust Černigoj and Lojze Spacal, writers Alojz Rebula, Igor Torkar, and Bogomir Magajna, theologian Anton Mahnič, politicians Drago Marušič, Josip Ferfolja and Majda Širca, economist Milko Brezigar, and actress Ita Rina.
History
The Karst plateau suffered radical deforestation for economic reasons starting in the Middle Ages. Although much of the wood for the closely spaced piles that support the island city of Venice, Italy came from this region, Venice carefully managed the Karst forests as a reserve for naval timber. The most radical deforestation occurred in the mid-nineteenth century due to clear-cutting by local farmers and conversion of the land into pastures for sheep.
Geographical extension
The municipalities that are completely or partially in the Karst include:
- Italy
- Savogna d'Isonzo (partially)
- Doberdò del Lago
- Sagrado (partially)
- Monfalcone (partially)
- Duino-Aurisina
- Sgonico
- Monrupino
- Trieste (partially)
- San Dorligo della Valle (partially)
- Slovenia
- Miren-Kostanjevica (partially)
- Komen
- Sežana
- Divača
- Hrpelje-Kozina (partially)
Sometimes, the region around Pivka and Postojna is also included.
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The Karst landscape as viewed from Štanjel
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Landscape near Duino
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The cliffs of Duino
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Karst landscape in the Province of Trieste
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The fortified church in Monrupino
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The village of Lokev near Sežana
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Karst landscape near Doberdò del Lago
References
- ^ "Zdaj uradno originalen: kraški pršut zaščiten v EU". Delo.si (in Slovene). 15 June 2012.
{{cite news}}
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Further reading
- Rosanna Bubola, Vivere il Carso edito dalla Pro Loco di Trieste (Basadello di Campoformico (Udine): La tipografica, 2006)
- Massimo Gobessi& Sergio Dolce, Il Carso in tasca (Trieste: Edizioni Luglio, 2006)
- Elio Forznarič et al., Kras je krasen: vodnik po občinah Kraške gorske skupnosti (Trieste: Kraška gorska skupnost/ Comunità montana del Carso, 1991)
- Daniel Jarc, Il patrimonio culturale del Carso goriziano/ Kulturna dediščina goriškega Krasa (Trieste: SLORI, 1997)
- Miran Lapanje, Sežanski Kras (Sežana: Jamarsko društvo, 1984)
- Mojca Osvald et al., Kras in slovenska Istra (Ljubljana: Gimnazija Bežigrad, 2007)
- Matjaž Žnidaršič, Slovenski Kras: umetnostna dediščina (Cerknica: Naklo, d.o.o, 1996)
External links
- Karst in Slovenia. Slovenia: a geographical overview. Nadja Zupan Hajna
- PR Office of the Slovenian Government - Kras and Karst
- The Kras and Brkini Region