Two millionth visitor to the museum

Alessandro Bristot, leader of a group of scouts from Italy, has become the two-millionth visitor to the Kobariški Museum, according to reports from local media. The milestone was celebrated during a visit by the Italian delegation, which included members of the scouting organization. The museum, located in Kobarid, Slovenia, welcomed visitors who were more interested in stories of human suffering than in national pride or victory. Among them were predominantly Slovenians and Italians, with guests also coming from Germany, Austria, and the United States. The group visited the museum before continuing their journey on foot along the Path of Peace to Gorica, as reported by the Kobariški Museum. During this visit, the museum’s director, Mag. Martin Šolar, presented Mr. Bristot with an Italian translation of Gregorčič's poetry and a collection of publications from the museum. This gesture symbolized the cultural exchange and shared history between Slovenia and Italy. For the Kobariški Museum, reaching two million visitors marks a significant achievement, especially considering its humble beginnings. The museum opened its doors in the autumn of 1990 in the memory-protected Mašer House in Kobarid. It was founded on the initiative of local individuals and experts who wanted to preserve memories of the Isonzo Front and share powerful messages about peace with a broader audience. Mr. Šolar explained that the content of the museum’s collection, the personal approach to visitors, and the theme of World War I, something that does not divide us, form the core of what the museum offers. He added that the museum also serves as a tourist attraction and is open every day throughout the year. The staff adapts to the needs and desires of visitors, offering guided tours in eight languages. Since opening, the museum has received numerous accolades, including the Valvasor Award within two years and nomination for European Museum of the Year in 1993, alongside receiving the European Council’s museum award. Over the past three decades, it has established itself as a central institution representing the heritage of the Isonzo Front nationally, regionally, and internationally. The museum emphasizes that its exhibits focus not on national pride or victory, but on the individual who suffers due to war. Personal stories of soldiers give the museum’s collections a human face and help visitors connect with locations, events, and people of different nationalities whose lives were shaped by the Isonzo Front. Today, the Kobariški Museum is one of the most visited attractions in the Soča Valley and among the most recognizable World War I museums in Europe. In the last ten years, it has organized twelve temporary exhibitions and presented its contents beyond Kobarid, in cities such as Sarajevo, Ypres, Prague, Budapest, Zagreb, and several towns in Italy. The museum is open all year round. Guided tours through twelve rooms lead visitors through the period when one of the greatest tragedies in history took place. These guides help visitors understand the time and context of the events that unfolded in the area. Over the years, the museum has attracted both domestic and international visitors, including heads of state, kings, and numerous diplomats. It has become a space for international meetings and diplomacy. Currently, the majority of visitors are Slovenians and Italians, followed by guests from Germany, Austria, and the United States. Last year alone, 52,500 visitors came to the museum, and so far, visitors have come from 144 countries. Among them are descendants and relatives of those who fought and died on the Isonzo Front.