Cross-Border Open-Air Museum of Mount Ermada/Grmada

Since autumn 2025, thanks to the Interreg Italy–Slovenia Walk of Peace + project, visitors have been able to explore the Cross-Border Mount Ermada/Grmada Open-Air Museum. This Karst ridge, located on the border between the municipalities of Duino Aurisina and Komen (Slovenia), formed one of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's main defensive strongholds protecting Trieste during the First World War.

At the time, these hills lay entirely within the Habsburg Empire. Today, tthey are divided by the border between Italy and Slovenia, but they have been brought together within a single itinerary that invites visitors to discover some of the many traces left behind by soldiers, including communication trenches, trenches, fortifications and caves adapted for military purposes.

The cross-border open-air museum can be explored by following Stage 12 of the Walk of Peace or by starting from one of the three trailheads, which symbolically serve as gateways to the route. On the Slovenian side, from the village of Brestovica, the trail follows the northern ridge along unpaved paths with a gentle, steady ascent until reaching a slightly more challenging detour leading to the Grofova Jama (Fire Cave) area, where the remains of trenches and communication trenches are still clearly visible. Above the cave, a simple staircase leads to a panoramic viewpoint where a statue of a soldier stands, created from scrap iron recovered during the excavation and restoration of the former defensive lines.

From here, visitors can continue towards the summit of Mount Ermada, on the Italian side, and reach Ceroglie or Medeazza, the two trailheads located within the Municipality of Duino Aurisina.

Throughout the route, visitors will find information panels with QR codes providing further insights into the history, significance and features of the points of interest that have been restored through the project.