The Julian Alps (, , , , ) are a

mountain range A mountain range or hill range is a series of mountains or hills arranged in a line and connected by high ground. A mountain system or mountain belt is a group of mountain ranges with similarity in form, structure, and alignment that have aris ...

of the Southern Limestone Alps that stretches from northeastern

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

Slovenia Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, and a short (46.6 km) coastline within the Adriati ...

, where they rise to 2,864 m at Mount

Triglav Triglav (; ; ), with an elevation of , is the highest mountain in Slovenia and the highest peak of the Julian Alps. The mountain is the pre-eminent symbol of the Slovene nation, appearing on the Coat of arms of Slovenia, coat of arms and Flag ...

, the highest peak in

. A large part of the Julian Alps is included in Triglav National Park. The second highest peak of the range, the 2,755 m high Jôf di Montasio, lies in

. The Julian Alps cover an estimated 4,400 km² (of which 1,542 km² lies in Italy). They are located between the

Sava The Sava, is a river in Central Europe, Central and Southeast Europe, a right-bank and the longest tributary of the Danube. From its source in Slovenia it flows through Croatia and along its border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and finally reac ...

Valley and Canale Valley. They are divided into the Eastern and Western Julian Alps.

Name

The Julian Alps were known in antiquity as ''Alpes Iuliae'', and also attested as ''Alpes Julianae'' AD 670, ''Alpis Julia'' 734, and ''Alpes Iulias'' in 1090. Like the

municipium In ancient Rome, the Latin term (: ) referred to a town or city. Etymologically, the was a social contract among ('duty holders'), or citizens of the town. The duties () were a communal obligation assumed by the in exchange for the privileges ...

of ''Forum Julii'' (now Cividale del Friuli) at the foot of the mountains, the range was named after

Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (12 or 13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in Caesar's civil wa ...

of the gens Julia, perhaps due to a road built by Julius Caesar and completed by

Augustus Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian (), was the founder of the Roman Empire, who reigned as the first Roman emperor from 27 BC until his death in A ...

Eastern Julian Alps

There are many peaks in the Eastern Julian Alps over 2,000 m high, and they are mainly parts of ridges. The most prominent peaks are visible by their height and size. There are high plateaus on the eastern border, such as Pokljuka, Mežakla, and Jelovica. The main peaks by height are the following: *

– the highest mountain and on the

coat of arms of Slovenia The coat of arms of Slovenia is an emblem that consists of a red bordered blue shield on which there is a stylised white Triglav, Mount Triglav, under which there are two wavy lines representing the sea and the rivers of the country. Above Mount ...

* Škrlatica * Mangart * Jalovec * Razor * Kanjavec * Prisojnik * Rjavina * Prestreljenik * Špik * Tosc * Krn

Western Julian Alps

The Western Julian Alps cover a much smaller area, and are located mainly in

. Only the Kanin group lies in part in Slovenia. The main peaks by height are: * Jôf di Montasio () * Jôf Fuart () * High Mount Kanin () * Jôf di Miezegnot ()

Passes

Important passes of the Julian Alps are: *The Vršič Pass, 1,611 m (5,826 feet), links the

and Soča valleys. It is the highest mountain road pass in

. *The Predil Pass (links Villach via Tarvisio and Bovec to

Gorizia Gorizia (; ; , ; ; ) is a town and (municipality) in northeastern Italy, in the autonomous region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. It is located at the foot of the Julian Alps, bordering Slovenia. It is the capital of the Province of Gorizia, Region ...

), paved road 1,156 m (3,792 feet) *The Pontebba Pass (links Villach via Tarvisio and Pontebba to

Udine Udine ( ; ; ; ; ) is a city and (municipality) in northeastern Italy, in the middle of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, between the Adriatic Sea and the Carnic Alps. It is the capital of the Province of Udine, Regional decentralization entity ...

), railway, paved road, 797 m (2,615 feet)

References

Bibliography

External links

Julian Alps on Hiking TrailJulian Alps on kamdoalp.cz - Hikes description, prominent peaks

Julian Alps in Slovenia (All information about it)
{{Authority control Mountain ranges of the Alps Mountain ranges of Italy Mountain ranges of Slovenia * * Southern Limestone Alps Landforms of Upper Carniola Biosphere reserves of Slovenia Natura 2000 in Slovenia