Festa dell'Amicizia dei Tre Confini

A handshake at the top of the Alps

There is a place, in the Julian Alps, where three nations meet. It is the summit of Monte Forno, at 1,508 meters, where the borders of Italy, Austria, and Slovenia converge. Here, every second Sunday of September, one of the most symbolic and moving events in the Alps takes place: the Festa dell'Amicizia dei Tre Confini.

Since 1980, a gesture of peace

Since 1980, the three ethnic groups — Latin, Germanic, and Slavic — have climbed the mountain and shaken hands as a sign of peace and brotherhood. A ritual that spans decades and the changes in European history, from the Cold War to the opening of borders, and which today preserves its message intact: one peak, three nations, a single mountain people.

Folklore, music, and the flavours of three countries

The festival is not just a symbol: on the summit, you can find the typical cuisine of the three countries to savour the best of Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian culinary traditions, local drinks to toast together, and live music. Monte Forno simultaneously belongs to the Municipality of Tarvisio (Italy), Arnoldstein (Austria), and the area of Kranjska Gora (Slovenia).

How to reach the summit

The climb is part of the experience. The summit is reached on foot:

• From Italy — from Fusine, first by car then about 45 minutes on foot
• From Slovenia — from Ratece
• From Austria — from Arnoldstein

In case of bad weather, the festival is postponed to the following Sunday. A unique opportunity to experience the Tarvisiano region, the Fusine Lakes, and the meeting of the cultures of the heart of Europe.