Vršič Pass, Mountain pass in Julian Alps, Slovenia
Vršič Pass is a mountain road through the Julian Alps that connects Kranjska Gora with the upper Soča Valley at 1611 meters elevation. The route features 50 hairpin turns winding through the slopes as it climbs over the ridge.
Russian prisoners of war built this mountain road during World War I as a supply route for military operations. The construction was extremely demanding, with thousands of workers enduring harsh conditions on the high-altitude slopes.
The Russian Chapel near the 8th hairpin turn serves as a memorial to Russian prisoners who lost their lives in an avalanche. Visitors walking to this small shrine often find themselves reflecting on the human cost of war and the power of remembrance in unexpected places.
The road is typically closed during winter months due to heavy snow, with the best driving conditions from May through October. Morning hours offer the safest conditions for navigating the numerous curves.
From the pass, visitors can spot a natural opening in the mountainside created by geological forces over time. This window-like formation in the rock is easily missed by travelers focused on the road ahead.
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