lift tower. The tower could be built in a year or two, and would be located near the Markovec tunnel, serving as a connection between the old and the new parts of the city.

The future attraction of the Slovenian coastal city of Koper would have a futuristic design and would connect the old part of the city, the coast and Semedela, a suburban residential area. The edifice would facilitate easier mobility for those who would like to avoid heavy traffic and uphill walks.

"These aren't ordinary lifts, with one going up and the other going down; they also connect two levels of the city, and there's space for a coffee shop and a panoramic platform at the top," explains architect Matej Mljač. The investment was estimated at three million euros, with the municipality planning to seek financial aid from EU funds.

Koper is also considering building a new beach with a sea wall near Žusterna, located at the opposite side of the bay, as well as connecting it with the old part of Koper and its promenade through a mini ferry line.

The tower construction would have no impact on the cliff nor the traffic routes, which remain unchanged for now. However, it has already been announced that a section between Koper and Jadranka Camping will be closed by next year. The number of vehicles using the coastal road has significantly dropped since opening the Markovec tunnel, but the neighbouring municipality of Izola stresses that this does not suffice – all traffic needs to move away from the sea, they warn.

"We've determined that about 80 per cent of vehicles that still use the coastal road are equipped with a vignette [t/n: required for Slovenian highways, including the Markovec tunnel]. We're currently in discussions about closing the coastal road to all vehicles on international mobility day in June," adds the mayor of Izola, Igor Kolenc.

H. F. P., TV Koper; translated by K. Z.