House Marica · Winery · Rooms · Brda & Šmartno · Homestead Belica · Surroundings & activities · News · Media · Contact · How to find us
The House of Marica
is situated within the majestic walls
of the picturesque medieval village
of Šmartno. Once a military fort,
today, a romantic place, where it seems
that time stopped long ago.
The old renovated homestead
was named after "Nona" Marica,
(Grandmother Marica) who spoiled
children with simple but excellent
local dishes.
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Latest
Wine and Cuisine
The House of Marica houses an old renovated wine cellar, where you can taste fine Belica wines and a wide range of local delicacies.
We will serve you with home cured ham, salami, bacon, that are produced under the roof of our homestead Belica in Medana with experience, knowledge and traditional love.
In addition to home-made delights we offer also delicious Mortadella Italian origin and domestic cheeses from the Soca valley.
On weekends and public holidays (or by arrangement) we serve also hot and cold dishes and home-made desserts.
Shop with local products
The House of Marica houses a small shop with local products and various boutique products, which are a perfect gift for those you want surprise by giving them something unique.
You can choose between home-made spirits, fruit and herbal liqueurs, home-made fruit jams, local honey, local olive oil, Belica wines and some original articles and souvenirs.
Po kamnitem stopnišču se vzpnemo v nadstropje, kjer so gostom na voljo
štiri prostorne sobe, ki jih zaznamuje avtentičnost in mediteranski karakter.
apartment "PRUNELA" (2+2)
Apartment Prunela is named after the dried plums (or prunes) that once constituted an important source of income in Brda. The gentle purple colour that resembles lavender flower conjures up a sense of Mediterranean freshness, elegance and sophistication.
apartment Prunela offers:
- two-floor room (45 m2)
- double bed
- an additional double bed
- living room with kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Spacious bathroom with shower
- Air Conditioning
- Satellite TV
- internet access
- a typical wooden balcony
with a view over the village
square and old village wall
PRICE
2 persons € 100.00
1 person € 60.00
+ tourist tax
Extra bed is € 20 per person. Breakfast is included in the price. Children under 7 years stay free of charge.
room "NEŠPULA" (2+2)
Room Nešpula is named after a succulent tropical nut, which grows in Brda. The yellow nut is the colour of the sun and conjures up a feeling of warmth, familiarity, and summers.
room Nešpula offers:
- Room 23 m2
- double bed
- possibility of an additional double bed
- spacious bathroom with shower
- air Conditioning
- Satellite TV
- mini bar
- internet access
- a common typical wooden balcony
CENA
2 persons € 80.00
1 person € 50.00
+ tourist tax
Extra bed is € 20 per person. Breakfast is included in the price. Children under 7 years of age stay free of charge.
room "KARABANA" (2+1)
Room Karabana is named after the indigenous variety of olives in Brda. The gentle green colour of the room is reminiscent of the colour of olive trees and conjures up a sense of Mediterranean ease and lightness.
Room Karabana offers:
- Room 18 m2
- double bed
- an additional single bed in the attic
- Spacious bathroom with shower
- Air Conditioning
- Satellite TV
- mini bar
- internet access
- a common typical wooden balcony
PRICE
2 persons € 80.00
1 person € 50.00
+ tourist tax
Extra bed is € 20 per person. Breakfast is included in the price. Children under 7 years of age stay free of charge.
room "IZABELA" (2+1)
Room "Izabela" is characterised by the colour of the setting sun. Colour West conjures up an atmosphere of warm summer evenings.
Room Izabela offers:
- Room 20 m2
- double bed
- an additional single bed in the attic
in the attic - Spacious bathroom with shower
- Air Conditioning
- Satellite TV
- mini bar
- internet access
- a common typical wooden balcony
PRICE
2 persons € 80.00
1 person € 50.00
+ tourist tax
Extra bed is € 20 per person. Breakfast is included in the price. Children under 7 years are free of charge.
PRICE LIST
- 2 persons 1 person
- Apartment Prunela (2+2*)** 100,00 EUR 60,00 EUR
- Room Nešpula (2+2*) 80,00 EUR 50,00 EUR
- Room Karabana (2+1*) 80,00 EUR 50,00 EUR
- Room Izabela (2+1*) 80,00 EUR 50,00 EUR
* Extra bed per person
** With its own balcony
All rooms are air conditioned and equipped with mini bar, TV and bathroom.
The price includes breakfast with local delicacies and produce.
Extra bed is € 20.00 per person (breakfast included).
Children under 7 years free of charge.
Tourist tax per day:
- Euro 0.92 per person
- Euro 0.46 for children from 7 – 18
"Check in" from 2 pm onwards.
On the day of departure you are expected to vacate the room by 11 am unless by prior arrangement.
All prices are in Euros and includes sales tax (VAT/GST).
We would be happy to help you organise your days in Brda.
Brda; the playful, hilly land, where you will be mesmerised
by the colourful palette of colours, smells and tastes.
Millions of years ago the area of Brda was covered by the sea. It was the time when the fertile soil was created that one day will give tons of juicy fruit and wines of exceptional quality.
Gradually, the sea withdrew and mother earth, through the centuries, created an idyllic landscape strewn with hills, intertwined with brooks and streams, covered with lush greenery. Landscape, which gradually descends to the vast plains of Friuli and the horizon disappears into the depths of the Adriatic Sea.
Meanwhile the human hand sowed and reaped and so appeared orchards, vineyards, gardens, groves of olives and herbs and everything that makes the Brda region so fabulous.
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Šmartno; a picturesque medieval village
with a Mediterranean character.
Behind the majestic walls in the middle of the colourful, hilly landscape you will find
the medieval village of Šmartno, one of the best preserved villages in Brda
and at the same time one of the finest cultural and historical monuments of Slovenia.
Once a fortified Roman outpost from which the Roman soldiers defended their empire
from barbarians from the north. It was a strategic military fortress in the time of war
between the Republic of Venice and Austria and a shelter against Turks and predators.
Traces of a tumultuous past are visible on almost every step through the village,
as you are never far from the preserved city walls and towers. After centuries of wars,
looting and border tensions, the village's original military character gradually transformed
until nowadays, where the village is more a romantic place, and it appears that time has
stopped long ago.
Due to many attractions, Šmartno is the most visited tourist point in Brda. In addition to the
magnificent baroque church of Saint Martin (with an even older bell tower and in-built
Roman plate), Brda House (ethnological museum) and The House of Culture with an art
gallery are also worth visiting. By prior arrangement, you can see
the renovated south tower (Salonit Anhovo) and the private Širok Gallery
(www.lukasirok.blogspot.com) in the north tower.
The rich heritage of the past serves as a wonderful and unique scenery
for the many cultural and entertainment events that take place
throughout the year in Šmartno:
> Brda and Wine (April / May)
> Cherry Festival (May / June)
> Šmartno – fairy tales village (August)
> Saint Martin’s Day (November)
Learn more about events in Šmartno and Brda at
www.agency-jota.com
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Medana, once a modest village is now a haven
for lovers of wine and delicious local cuisine.
Homestead Belica is located at the edge of the village, just before the hilly area
passes into the plain “Prevala”, as locals call this part of the Friuli plain.
This special position not only gives beautiful panoramic views, but also an ever-present breeze,
which has a beneficial effect on the maturation of hams, salami, bacon and other delicacies,
which for many years have been produced with much love and patience under the roof of homestead Belica.
Fine Belica wines are also produced on 8 hectares of vineyards.
Cultural Heritage:
- Kojsko - The Gothic church of Holly Cross with the famous Gothic altar vane from the year 1515.
- Dobrovo castle - Renaissance castle with a permanent exhibition of Zoran Mušič, world-renowned artist and the museum collection of Count Silvio de Bagueri.
- Šmartno - Medieval Mediterranean fortress built on the top of the hill surrounded by walls and towers.
- Medana – Birth house of Alojz Gradnik, Slovenian poet, judge, translator and poet Ludvik Zorzut.
- Churches in Brda (Golo Brdo, Vrhovlje in Kožbana, Biljana, etc.).
Natural heritage:
- Sabotin - interesting trip spot with beautiful views and residuals from World War 1.
- Korada - A popular hiking destination with magnificent views from the mountains to the sea.
- Valley of Kozbanjscek – known after beautiful natural heritage.
Other:
- Visit to the largest winery in Slovenia (www.klet-brda.com) and various wine cellars
- Casino (5 km) www.venko.si
- Wellness with Finnish and Turkish sauna (1 km) www.hotel-brda.si/hotel
- Train trail along the Austro-Hungary railway line from 1906
- Solkan Bridge - the largest stone railway bridge in the world
More info: www.brda.si/sl/45
Surroundings:
Sveta gora (15 km) / Franciscan monastery and famous pilgrimage centre.
Kostanjevica (14 km) / Tomb of the last descendants of the French royal family of the Bourbons.
Štanjel (45 km) / Picturesque Karst village with narrow streets and stone houses, which are arranged in terraces up to the top of the hill.
Vipavski Križ (44 km) / Village which is one of the most beautiful historical cultural monuments in Slovenia.
Postojnska cave (50 km) / The most visited tourist cave complex in Europe.
Lipica (88 km; 50 km on the motorway) / world-famous recreation centre and cradle of
all Lipizzaner horses in the world.
Kobarid (46 km) / Museum of the First World War and a wide range of sporting activities.
Bovec (67 km) and the valley of Soča / Centre of sports tourism in the valley of the Soca.
Cormons (17 km) / Lovely little town under the “Monte Quarin” hill , the centre of the Italian part of Collio (italian name for Brda).
Gorizia (15 km) / Lovely town with Austrian character, which has grown between the Slav and the Latin world with majestic castle of counts of Gorizia which reins over the city.
Cividale (32 km) / An important historical, artistic and cultural monument of Lombard civilisation.
Aquileia (44 km) / The famous city of Rome with preserved traces of the patriarchal Basilica and early Christian floor mosaics, one of the best preserved in the Western world.
Palmanova (40 km) / One of the finest examples of Renaissance star-shaped fortress with nine legs, which the Venetian Republic built for defense against the Turks.
Vila Manin (65 km) / One of the most important artistic monuments in the Friuli Venezia Giulia, a symbol of tourism and culture of this area.
Grado (52 km) / It is well known seaside resort on an island connected by a bridge, with a beautiful town marina, interesting narrow streets in the old town and a nice long walking path along the coast.
Venice (152 km) / One of the most picturesque places of Italy, known for its romantic bridges, beautiful architecture, narrow streets and numerous palaces, churches and museums.
Trieste (69 km) / An old, romantic costal town with an Austrian character, heritage from the times it used to be the main Austrian port.
Castle Miramare (40 km) / Near the town of Trieste. Built for Austrian Archduke Maximilian and his Belgian wife Charlotte of Belgium.
Devin and Rilke path (25 km) / Small port and Duino Castle, where Rilke started writing his famous work Elegies. The panoramic path along the coastal limestone cliffs was named after him.
Recreation
The hilly landscape with an interesting surrounding area offers many recreational opportunities from the light-hearted to the more demanding trips and recreational activities.
- Cycling in the Brda hills or in the lowlands of Friuli www.brda.si/sl/94
- Popular hiking destination Sabotin and Korada (10 km) www.brda.si/sl/52
- Ski resort Kanin (Slovenia) with a link to Sella Nevea (Italy) www.kanin.si
- Golf - Castello di Spessa (8 km) www.golfcastellodispessa.it
- Tennis courts (5 km) www.belvinpub.com
- Water and adventure sports (Soca Valley, 20 km) www.dolina-soce.com,
- Bathing, surfing and sailing in the Adriatic sea (30 km) www.marecarso.it
- Fishing on the river Soca (4 km) www.ribiska-druzina-soca.si
- Paragliding (20 km) www.polet-ng.si
- Jeep ride through the vineyards of Brda
- Renting a quad bike or scooter
- Riding in a carriage over the Brda hills
- Climbing (30 km)
- Horseback riding (8 km)
Events
Tourist Agency Marica –
Tours of Brda and the surrounding area
In April 2011, in our house started to operate a travel agency Marica.
We offer assistance in organising trips around Brda and the vicinity (Vipava
and the Soča Valley, Karst , Ljubljana, Slovenian and Italian coast region,
Aquileia, Grado, Cividale, Venice, etc.), visits to the wine cellars in Brda, crossborder
Collio, Vipava Valley and Karst, an active and teambuilding holiday in Brda.
Painting exhibitions
In March 2011 the House of Marica welcomed a temporary exhibition of paintings
by the Italian artist Tiziano Paganini, born in Motta di Livenza 1965.
“Valentine's Day in the House of Marica”
To make a reservation please contact us by e-mail or telephone.
Painting exhibitions
In November 2010 the House of Marica welcomed a temporary exhibition
of paintings by the Italian artist Marina Battistella.
More at: www.marinabattistella.it
SAINT MARTIN’S DAY FESTIVAL in Šmartno
Friday, 12 / Saturday, 13 / Sunday, 14th November 2010
For the festival numerous village wine cellars open their doors to welcome more than 30 wine producers from both sides of the ex-border (Brda-Collio). The market with home-made products offer a variety of home-made jams, spirits and liqueurs, dried fruit, cakes, artisan cheeses, chestnuts and local cuisine.
You can find more about the festival at
www.agency-jota.com
Additional Facilities
A House of Marica gift certificates
Give a friend and your loved ones something special ... a House of Marica gift certificate.
01. Gift Certificate "Furlanka" / Bed and breakfast for 2 persons / price € 80.00
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02. Gift Certificate "Cherry Blossom" / Bed and breakfast for 2 persons
+ a bottle of Belica wine + meat platter for 2 persons / price € 105.00
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03. Gift Certificate "Marica" / Gift Certificate of your choice.
For all information regarding the gift certificate, call us or send us an e-mail.
Tours of Brda and the surrounding area
We offer assistance in organising trips around Brda and the vicinity (Soca Valley,
Karst, Trieste, Cividale, Cormons, etc..), visits to wine cellars and information
on how to spend an active holiday in Brda.
„Gallery Marica“
We invite artists who would like to exhibit their works
in the medieval village of Smartno to contact us.
„Goriska Brda: „Garten Eden“ und Kulinarik (str.26,27) 31.10.2007
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Collio Sloveno - Bell'Europa ottobre 2010
Entzückend schöne Schau nach Süden" 02.8.2008
http://derstandard.at/1216918218673/Entzueckend-schoene-Schau-nach-Suede
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Stille, versteckte Schönheit, 21.8.2010
http://derstandard.at/1282273364275/Slowenien-Stille-versteckte-Schoenheit
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Hinten den sieben Hügeln
http://wirwarendort.at/typo/index.php?id=337
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Collio – Brda, die görzer Hügel
http://www.slowenien-weine.de/weinland/brda
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Der stille Reiz der Bedächtigkeit
http://www.abendblatt.de/reise/article213806/Der-stille-Reiz-der-Bedaechtigkeit.html
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VIAGGIO Quell'ermo Collio
http://www.leiweb.it/iodonna/assaporo/10_a_collio-friulano-giovanni-puiatti.shtml
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In Rhythmus der Hügel
http://www.alpe-adria-magazin.at/magazine/2008-nr06/44-49.pdf
Opening hours / Winter schedule
(valid until 31.03.2011):
MON 12h-20h
TUE *
WED *
THU 12h-20h
FRI 12h-21h
SAT 11h-21h
SUN 11h-18h
* On Tue and Wed we are closed,
but will open for groups by prior arrangement.
Opening hours / Summer schedule
(valid until 31.08.2011)
MON 12h-22h
TUE *
WED 12h-22h
THU 12h-22h
FRI 12h-22h
SAT 11h-22h
SUN 11h-22h
* On Tue we are closed,
but will open for groups by prior arrangement.
The House of Marica is located in the village Šmartno in Brda. You can reach us:
1.) From the direction of Nova Gorica, in the village Hum turn right towards Dobrovo.
Šmartno is located on the main road soon after the village Gonjače before you reach Dobrovo.
2.) From the direction of Neblo: turn in the direction of Dobrovo, at the crossroad turn left
and drive along the main road which leads for Nova Gorica. Šmartno will appear on your left side
soon after the village Zali breg. The House is situated on the upper village square,
as soon you enter through the arched village gates.
Click on the map for a clearer picture.
Airports
Trieste Airport - Ronchi dei Legionari -
35 km (of which 16 km are on the motorway)
Venice Airport - Marco Polo -
140 km (of which 116 km are on the motorway)
Ljubljana Airport - Brnik - 144 km
(of which 111 km are on the motorway)
Treviso Airport – 144 km
(of which 120 km are on the motorway)
Distance from major cities:
Ljubljana -127 km (of which 91 km are on the motorway)
Venice - 152 (of which 119 km are on the motorway)
Milan - 400 km (of which 375 km are on the motorway)
Villach - 181 km (of which 157 km are on the motorway)
Munich - 500 km (of which 474 km are on the motorway)
Graz - 320 km (of which 289 km are on the motorway)
Zagreb - 258 km (of which 215 km are on the motorway)
Vienna – 505 km (of which 474 are on the motorways)
Salzburg – 367 km (of which 340 are on the motorways)
