GRUBLA FEST: Second edition of the hillfort festival delights visitors
28.05.2026
From 28 to 31 May 2026, the second edition of Grubla Fest – the festival of castellieri/hillforts – took place in the Val Rosandra/Glinščica Valley and its surroundings. The event was organised within the framework of the cross-border KAŠTellieri project, co-financed by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia Programme. This year, too, the festival offered a rich and varied programme for different generations, attracting numerous visitors who took part in all activities with great interest.
The programme began on Thursday morning in Hribenca Park near Zabrežec with the event “Hunt for the Grubla”, an orienteering challenge designed for schools. Approximately 120 pupils from the Simon Gregorčič, Fulvio Tomizza and Dragomir Benčič primary schools took part in the activity. Through play and running in nature, they discovered the heritage of the hillforts and the importance of the cultural landscape in which they live. The event combined education, exploration and fun, generating great enthusiasm and engagement among the young participants.
In the evening, the festival continued at Moccò Castle with the Grubla Wine event. After the introductory greeting and presentation of the KAŠTellieri project, the discussion “Stories of wine and hillforts between the Breg and Istria” took place, moderated by journalist Simonetta Lorigliola. Visitors had the opportunity to taste wines from renowned winemakers Kocjančič, Zahar, Korenika & Moškon and Steras, while discovering the connections between winemaking traditions and hillfort areas. The evening concluded with a sunset concert by pianist Andrea Tonoli, whose music created a special atmosphere in the unique setting of Moccò Castle. Around 100 visitors attended the event.
On Friday, the exhibition “Hillforts: Stone Foundations” was opened in the foyer of the France Prešeren Theatre. The exhibition brings visitors closer to the rich heritage of prehistoric hillforts and their significance for understanding the shared history of the cross-border area. Approximately 20 visitors attended the opening.
Saturday morning was dedicated to creativity and the discovery of prehistoric crafts. Ceramic workshops led by the I Girasoli cooperative took place at the Val Rosandra/Glinščica Valley Visitor Centre. A group of eleven scouts from Rod modrega vala also took part in the workshops. In a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere, participants created objects inspired by archaeological finds and learned about ceramic modelling techniques used by the inhabitants of prehistoric hillforts.
The festival concluded on Sunday with a guided excursion, the so-called Grubla Walk, to the hillfort of San Michele, departing from the Val Rosandra/Glinščica Valley Visitor Centre. Approximately 30 participants set out to explore one of the most important archaeological sites in the area. The walk combined contact with nature, physical activity and an in-depth discovery of the historical and cultural features of the site, offering visitors a new perspective on the rich heritage of the hillforts.
The second Grubla Fest once again demonstrated that cultural heritage can serve as a starting point for high-quality, inclusive and sustainable events that connect the local community, visitors and experts. The festival successfully contributed to the objectives of the KAŠTellieri project, which aims to preserve, interpret and promote prehistoric hillforts as an important element of shared cross-border identity and the sustainable development of the area.
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