Golica
Encyclopedia
Golica is a peak in the Western Karavanke Alps, on the border between Slovenia
and Austria
, above the Slovene town of Jesenice. It is known mainly for its fields of wild white narcissi, swathes of which cover Golica and surrounding pastures in late April and early May. This marks the beginning of a popular time for mountaineers to visit, extending through the end of summer. The slopes provide great views of the Julian Alps
and Austrian Carinthia
; the Ljubljana Basin
can be seen from the summit on clear days.
Golica also gained considerable fame as the subject of the 1953 Slavko Avsenik
polka Na Golici (On Golica), perhaps the Avsenik Ensemble's most popular song.
250 m below the summit, there is a mountain hut at an altitude of 1582 m, with 40 sleeping berths. The original hut on this site - as well as a second hut at the summit itself - were burnt down during the Second World War by partisans
to prevent their use by German
soldiers. The hut at the summit was never rebuilt.
The slopes of Golica are today used as pastures for sheep, but until 1957 locals from settlements at its foot would clear the entire slope of grass for hay
(a possible etymology of the name, which derives from the adjective "gol-," or "bare.").
The best way to reach the peak is from Jesenice via the mountain village of Planina pod Golico
, which bears the peak's name.
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
and Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, above the Slovene town of Jesenice. It is known mainly for its fields of wild white narcissi, swathes of which cover Golica and surrounding pastures in late April and early May. This marks the beginning of a popular time for mountaineers to visit, extending through the end of summer. The slopes provide great views of the Julian Alps
Julian Alps
The Julian Alps are a mountain range of the Southern Limestone Alps that stretches from northeastern Italy to Slovenia, where they rise to 2,864 m at Mount Triglav. They are named after Julius Caesar, who founded the municipium of Cividale del Friuli at the foot of the mountains...
and Austrian Carinthia
Carinthia (state)
Carinthia is the southernmost Austrian state or Land. Situated within the Eastern Alps it is chiefly noted for its mountains and lakes.The main language is German. Its regional dialects belong to the Southern Austro-Bavarian group...
; the Ljubljana Basin
Ljubljana basin
The Ljubljana Basin is a basin in the upper river basin of Sava. It is the most populated area in Slovenia and it is metropolitan area of Ljubljana.- Cities and towns :* Ljubljana** Brezovica** Škofljica** Ig** Vodice** Dobrova-Polhov Gradec...
can be seen from the summit on clear days.
Golica also gained considerable fame as the subject of the 1953 Slavko Avsenik
Slavko Avsenik
Slavko Avsenik is a Slovenian composer and musician. His career accomplishments place him at the worldwide pinnacle of success among ethnic popular musicians...
polka Na Golici (On Golica), perhaps the Avsenik Ensemble's most popular song.
250 m below the summit, there is a mountain hut at an altitude of 1582 m, with 40 sleeping berths. The original hut on this site - as well as a second hut at the summit itself - were burnt down during the Second World War by partisans
Partisans (Yugoslavia)
The Yugoslav Partisans, or simply the Partisans were a Communist-led World War II anti-fascist resistance movement in Yugoslavia...
to prevent their use by German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
soldiers. The hut at the summit was never rebuilt.
The slopes of Golica are today used as pastures for sheep, but until 1957 locals from settlements at its foot would clear the entire slope of grass for hay
Hay
Hay is grass, legumes or other herbaceous plants that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for grazing livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. Hay is also fed to pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs...
(a possible etymology of the name, which derives from the adjective "gol-," or "bare.").
The best way to reach the peak is from Jesenice via the mountain village of Planina pod Golico
Planina pod Golico
Planina pod Golico is a mountain village in the municipality of Jesenice, in the Upper Carniola region of Slovenia.It lies at an altitude of 954 m in the Karavanke Alps, at the foot of mount Golica...
, which bears the peak's name.