The City Municipality of Nova Gorica
Nova Gorica is the largest municipality in the Goriška Region and one of Slovenia’s eleven city municipalities. As the regional administrative center, it covers 280 km² along the Italian border, with 31,752 residents and an average age of 44.3 years.
Geographical & Administrative Overview
The municipality consists of 19 local communities and 44 settlements, including Nova Gorica, Solkan, Dornberk, Šempas, Grgar, and Branik. It borders ten municipalities in Slovenia and Italy, including Gorizia (IT), Brda, Ajdovščina, and Kanal.
Climate & Landscape
The city enjoys a sub-Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. The Soča River, Mount Sabotin, and the Banjšice Plateau shape its diverse terrain, linking the Alps, Karst Plateau, and Vipava Valley. Nova Gorica is a key transport hub, connecting Slovenia to Italy, the Balkans, and Central Europe.
Samo Turel, Mayor of the City Municipality of Nova Gorica
Samo Turel was born on May 25, 1975, and attended primary school in Renče. After completing secondary school in Nova Gorica, he studied law at the University of Ljubljana, graduating in 2000. He began his career at the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Northern Primorska before completing his state bar apprenticeship at the Higher Court in Koper and the Nova Gorica district courts. After passing the state bar exam in 2003, he dedicated his career to the judiciary.
For seven years, he served as court secretary, and in 2010, following judicial reform, he became court director, overseeing 160 employees across courts in Nova Gorica, Ajdovščina, Idrija, and Tolmin. He also worked as a mediator in civil and commercial disputes and contributed to judicial projects at the Supreme Court of Slovenia, focusing on court budgeting, sustainability, and staff training.
At the European level, he was a member of the European Judicial Network at the European Commission and represented Slovenia in CEPEJ at the Council of Europe, working to improve judicial efficiency across member states.
Active in the local community, he has led student and sports organizations and was involved in school councils. He and his partner have two children, and he values family, collaboration, and open dialogue as essential principles for leading a community.