Novo mesto was also surrounded by wire and bunkers during the occupation, as the Italian occupiers never felt safe due to the constant attacks by partisan units. The wire, with its installed passage blocks, made life very difficult for the townspeople and demanded considerable resourcefulness from them. After Italy’s capitulation in 1943, a 42-day period of people’s authority began in the town, but it was interrupted by the German incursion. The Germans expanded the defensive line around the town and reinforced it with tranches that the townspeople (including the women) were forced to dig. On November 13 and 14, 1943, the brigades of the XV Division launched an attack on the town, but failed to capture it. In 1944, Allied air forces bombed the barracks, warehouses, and communication facilities, and partisan units were already controlling the town’s surroundings. With the departure of German forces and the arrival of partisan units on May 8, 1945, the town was liberated.
In memory of this time, and of all the fallen fighters, executed hostages, and other deceased townspeople, a memorial recreational tourist trail was established, called Novo mesto Enclosed by Wire.
The trail partly follows the route of the former barbed wire, passing numerous buildings and bunkers as well as other tourist landmarks of Novo mesto. The entire trail is 12 kilometres long and consists of 8 stages. Between stages are checkpoint stations where hikers can have their control card stamped. The control card can be obtained at any checkpoint or on the website.
We recommend the hike to all who wish to honour the suffering townspeople and the brave partisan fighters who, by encircling the town with their ring, forced the occupiers in the town into a distinctly defensive posture.