Imagine, if you will, stepping back in time as we stand here in Bagnoli Superiore also known as Gornji Konec. This charming hamlet is a hidden gem in Friuli Venezia Giulia. It is a part of the comune of San Dorligo della Valle. Slovenians call it Gornji Konec.
Bagnoli Superiore is more than just a place. It is a feeling. The air is crisp. The sounds of nature surround you. Historically, Bagnoli Superiore branched out from the main settlement of Bagnoli della Rosandra.
Its location is excellent. To the north, you will find the Val Rosandra nature reserve. The Rosandra stream flows nearby. Bagnoli Superiore sits at 81 meters above sea level. In 2009, only 64 people called this place home.
The natural beauty is a big draw. The Val Rosandra nature reserve is right next door. You can explore it easily. Many trails are nearby. They offer varying levels of difficulty.
One of the interesting sites is the Roman aqueduct of Val Rosandra. This ancient structure is a testament to the area’s long history. Another point of interest is the Rifugio Mario Premuda.
Getting here is part of the adventure. A local road connects Bagnoli Superiore to Bagnoli della Rosandra. This is the only road access for cars. The Giordano Cottur cycling and pedestrian path follows the route of the old Trieste-Erpelle railway.
For hikers, there are many paths through the nature reserve. You can easily reach Bagnoli Superiore on foot.
Let’s talk about the Val Rosandra waterfall. The Rosandra stream begins beyond the current border with Slovenia. It is east of Bottazzo. Up to the first waterfall, it is simply called Potok which means stream. The name Rosandra might come from the word klin meaning wedge. It describes how the stream cuts into the mountains. The waterfall drops 35 meters into a pool. Below the falls, there are twenty-one basins between the waterfall and Bagnoli Superiore.
The Romans built an aqueduct in the 2nd century BC. It carried water from the Rosandra and other springs to Trieste. The aqueduct was simple. It had a stone base with two walls covered by a vault. It was 160 cm deep and 55 cm wide. The aqueduct carried 5800 cubic meters of water to Trieste each day. You can still see parts of it at the valley entrance.
Long ago, many mills operated along the Rosandra. There were 32 mills from Sant’Antonio in Bosco to Dolina. People from Dolina and Trieste used them. The millers carved the stones for the wheels. Their wives sold the flour. They carried it to the city on donkeys. Technology eventually made these mills obsolete. You can still see the remains of some mills near Bagnoli Superiore.
Bagnoli Superiore once had many mills. It is also home to the Rifugio Premuda. This alpine refuge is only 82 meters above sea level. The area has the feel of an alpine territory because of its unique geology.
Imagine the “mussolati.” These were caravans of donkeys. They carried grains from Basovizza and Draga. They traveled to Muggia and Trieste through the Zaule valley. They brought back salt and wine.
Every corner of Bagnoli and Val Rosandra is worth seeing. They offer photo opportunities and panoramic views.