The Soca River, aptly nicknamed “The Emerald Beauty”, is a 136 km river famous for its emerald-green water (or even bluish color). Soca is actually one of the rare rivers in the world that retain such magnificent color throughout its length. Coupled by the pure, well-preserved and undisturbed surroundings that envelope this jewel of nature, it is no wonder why many wanderers and creative souls who have visited call the Soca River, the most beautiful river in the world. See for yourself!
The Soca or Isonzo (in Italian), an “Alpine river in character”, flows through western Slovenia and northeastern Italy, descending from its source in the scenic Trenta valley towards the sea.
Soca narrows, Andreas Resch on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Reinhard Pantke on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Brane Kosak on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
There’s a 15 m hight waterfall which is accessible to visitors along a secured path from the lodge Koča pri Izviru Soče.
Andreas Resch on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Waterfall Kozjak, Igor Debevec on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Klempa on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Beno Saradzic on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
The river’s present course is the result of several changes that occurred during the past 2,000 years. The Soca valley was even the stage of major military operations, including the 12 battles of Isonzo on the Italian front in WWI.
Soca in spring, Luka Esenko on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Solkan Bridge, Beno Saradzic on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Soca’s green-blue beauty has enticed landscape photographers for many years. The play of colors in the river’s water, the smooth, sometimes bold curves of the surrounding walls, and the overall serene landscape are more than enough to captivate artists the world over.
Uros Podlogar Photography on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Klempa on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Soca river in snow, Luka Esenko on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
It has also appeared in many well-known poems including poet Simon Gregorčič’s best-known poem Soči (To the Soča), which is one of the masterpieces of Slovene poetry. Giuseppe Ungaretti, one of the greatest Italian poets, also describes the Isonzo in his poem “The Rivers.”
Tramonnt_ana on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Soca Waterfall, Andreas Resch on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Klempa on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Andreas Resch on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Words and beautiful photos can only go so far, it is still far better for visitors to discover the river’s enchanting beauty by themselves – which they can do so by kayak or as hikers or observers.
Uros Podlogar Photography on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Simon Benedicic on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
Cedric Catalogne on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost
If this is not in your bucket list yet, better add it right away. I’ve a feeling Soca River will sky rocket to the top of your must-visit places.
Andreas Resch on 500px │ via HuffingtonPost