Smart-no?

It was only right now that I realised that the name of this village is not really English-friendly.

But obviously the inhabitants of Šmartno, a small town in Goriška Brda wine region nicknamed “Slovenian Tuscany” (more photos from there here), do not take after the English pronunciation.

Aided by the European Union, Šmartno has been restored and transformed into a glorious example of Slovenian heritage, which brings about tourists and praise. And the name is actually derived from St. Martin, the patron of the church around which the town formed (and, as you’ll see one of these days, is gorgeous).

We took a lovely stroll, which resulted in numerous door, window, arch etc. photos that I’ll be posting happily for a while. One day soon we will have a look at a restored house where we were served hand-stirred hot chocolate and chocolate-nut-orange cake (“My wife made it,” said the owner proudly) which was so good that it made me proclaim it would be served at my 50th birthday. (NOT QUITE YET!)

But today a few “smart-yes” boards from Šmartno. The last features famous quotation by Carl Sagan:

“Something incredible is waiting to be known.”

How preposterous of me to first get its other sense. Must be all this waiting I do…

Aerial view plus a door. This was originally a defence-based settlement.

This was then…

…and this is now.

“Not everything is in fingers.” Or in the name.

A Citroën 2CV spotted.

Happy nonno and granddaughter.

A revealing double meaning, in the exhibition room above the bar with the great cake.

I love it when mom gets all pro.

Photo: © signature mmm