Trieste city, Italy: attractions, recreation. Trieste - the amazing “free territory of Trieste Italy”

Trieste is an ancient city in the northeastern part of the Italian Republic (Repubblica Italiana), located 10 minutes drive from the official border with Slovenia. The city is a monument to various rulers and eras. The main attractions are the streets, squares, palaces and museums that tell the complex history of Trieste.

What is a must-see and where to go for an independent traveler?

Embankments and port

A special feature of the city is the location of the central square right next to the embankment, so that from the windows of the palaces built around the square there is a view of the coast and sea expanses.

We recommend starting your walk from the territory of the seaport - Molo Audache, named after the Italian destroyer ship called "Audace", which announced the inclusion of Trieste into Italy. On the pier there is a statue of a sailor raising the flag of the Italian Republic over the city.

Lighthouse

The lighthouse building appeared in the 20s of the 20th century to perpetuate the memory of sailors who died heroically in World War I. Architect Arduino Berlama and sculptor Giovanni Maier worked on the project. At the top of the lighthouse there was an image of Victory made of copper, and at the foot there was a figure of a sailor and an anchor from the destroyer Audace, which was the first to arrive in Trieste in 1918.

The opening took place in 1927 in the presence of King Victor Emmanuel III (Vittorio Emanuele III).

United Italy Square

Unity Square (L'area del l'Unità d'Italia) borders the waters of the Bay of Trieste (baia di Trieste) and the piers of Molo Audace, on the other three sides are the buildings of the Government House (Palazzo del Governo) and other palaces.

Most large area in the world you can admire it around the clock, because in the evening the lights turn on, turning the city by the sea into a fairy-tale kingdom.

The square appeared in the 18th century on the site of port buildings that surrounded prison buildings and stables. Its first name was St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro), then it was called Big (Piazza Grande). The current name was given to the square in 1918 after the incorporation of Trieste into Italy after 550 years of rule by the Habsburg dynasty.

You should definitely visit the square in the evening, when the blue lamps built into the road surface light up: they show where the sea reached in the old days. Around the square there are 7 of the most luxurious palaces in the city.

Sculpture of Charles VI

In the very center of L’area del l’Unità d’Italia stands a majestic column erected in 1728 on the day of the arrival of Emperor Charles VI of Habsburg (Carlo VI d’Asburgo) with his image installed on it in 1754.

Charles VI played a significant role in the development of the city and its architectural appearance, turning Trieste into “little Vienna”. Charles' plans for transformation were continued to be implemented by his daughter Maria Teresa, so that the city would become a symbol of the power of the dynastic Habsburg family.

Fountain of the Four Continents

In Unity Square there is the Fountain of the Four Continents (Fontana dei Quattro Continenti), built in 1751 by Bergamo Mazzoleni. The idea of ​​this building is to glorify the ruling dynasty.

Sculptural images of animals next to 4 female statues on the sides of the fountain depict the continents from which ships come to Trieste:

  1. The figure of a horse is a symbol of the European continent;
  2. Camel – Asia;
  3. Leo – Africa;
  4. Crocodile - America.

The symbol of the city of Trieste is an image of a female figure flying above the symbols of the continents., which hospitably welcomes guests from all over the world and symbolizes the Glory and prosperity of the city. The foot of the fountain is decorated with shells and dolphins, allegorical images of the Nile River and other rivers and seas.

During its construction, the fountain also had an elementary practical purpose - to serve as a source of clean water. fresh water for citizens and guests of Trieste.

Municipal Palace

The City Hall building (Palazzo del Municipio) was built on the foundations of a previous one designed by Giuseppe Bruni in 1875 and represents an original combination of features of several architectural styles. The architect wanted to reproduce the features of the original version and supplement them with modern details.

The building attracts attention with its eclecticism, lightness, grace, and the desire to use construction techniques of fashionable Parisian buildings in the appearance of the façade. Decoration of the turret at the top of the town hall - a clock with bronze images of the Moors Micheze and Jacheze striking the time by striking the bell.

In this house in 1938, Benito Mussolini was received; for his speech, a fountain was even moved from the balcony of the palace to the square, which could have obscured the speaker.

The town hall building has a popular nickname - Palazzo Sipario (curtain palace), since this building closed off the old, squalid quarters of the port city.

Palazzo della Giunta Regionale

This palace, also called Palazzo Lloyd, was built in 1881-83 by Heinrich von Ferstel for the banking firm Lloyd. The architect used the style of the Renaissance (Rinascimento) to emphasize the grandeur of the port of Trieste and its dominance over the seas.

In front of the palace there are 2 fountains with sculptures of the sea goddess Thetis by the ancient master Joseph Pokorny, and the young goddess of love Venus by Hugo Haedti. At the time of construction, the fountains worked, but the water used in them was different: salty sea water was supplied to the Venus fountain, and fresh water was supplied to Thetis. Now the government of the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia sits here.

Palazzo Modello

The Modello Palace (Palazzo Modello) was built by Antonio Buttatstsoni and was conceived as a model and ideal for other urban buildings. The palace was built in 1870 on the site of the demolished buildings of the Church of St. Peter (Chiesa di S. Pietro) and the chapel Cappella di St. Peter. Interestingly, the stained glass window from the church was moved to another church - San Bartolomeo in Barcola.

The building housed a fashionable hotel until 1912, and subsequently and currently houses city services.

Palazzo Stratti

Palazzo Stratti was built by Antonio Buttazzoni in 1839 for the wealthy merchant Nikola Stratten, and in 1846 it was rebuilt according to the design of Elfrid Geiringer and Francesco Righetti. Since 1846, the house belonged to the insurance company Assicurazioni Generali. The palace at the top is decorated with a majestic balustrade and sculptures by Luigi Zandomenegi.

The building is famous because it preserves the Mirror Café (Caffè degli Specchi), opened in 1839, attracting visitors with its interior and delicacies.

Government Palace

The Government Palace (Palazzo del Governo) was built in 1904-1905 under the direction of the Viennese architect Emil Hartmann in the fashionable Art Nouveau style. The house was intended for the commander-in-chief of the Austrian army, at the moment it is one of the buildings of the city administration.

The building is decorated with Murano glass mosaic panels and the coat of arms of the Savoy Republic (Repubblica Savoia), which replaced the coat of arms of Austria.

Grand Canal

Along the Grand Canal (Il Canal Grande) you can explore the city from the inside. The idea of ​​​​building a canal that would stretch from the port quarters to the city center with trading stalls and shops belongs to Maria Theresa of Austria.

In the second half of the 18th century, the canal was dug by hand, then decorated with bridges, and now you can ride along it on excursion boats.

Cathedral of San Giusto

The Central Cathedral (Basilica di San Giusto) is located on a small hill near Unity Square and the Grand Canal. The most valuable attraction here is the Escorial-Carlista Chapel (Cappella di El Escorial-Carlisti), which preserves the tombs of the royal house of Spain, one of which appeared in 1975.

Miramare Castle

The Miramare Castle was built at the direction of Archduke Maximilian and was used as his residence. The style of construction was supposed to be reminiscent of the citadels of ancient Scotland, knightly times, and heroic military campaigns. Maximilian personally took care of a huge garden with an area of ​​22 hectares, planted plants in it, looked after them, he was a great connoisseur of art, and did a lot of charity work. In honor of Maximilian, there is a statue of him in the park.

The fortress is located near the Miramare Marine Reserve, a natural protected area.

Revoltella Museum

The Revoltella Museum, built in 1858 by Friedrich Gittsig, houses the Gallery of Modern Art (Galleria d'Arte Moderna).

Here are the works of famous painters:

  • Francesco Hayes;
  • Domenico Morelli;
  • Giorgio Morandi;
  • Giorgio de Chirico and others.

In the courtyard of the museum, the fountain of the nymph Aurizina by Pietro Magni, a symbol of the city, attracts attention.

Museums

Trieste is a city where it can take several days to visit all the museums. The most interesting are the following:

  • Museum of Theater and Music Carlo Schmidl, located in the Gopchevich Palace, built in the 19th century with windows overlooking the central canal, presents a collection of ancient instruments of the musician Carlo Schmidl and materials on the development of musical and theatrical art;
  • Museum of History and Arts and Rock Garden (Civico Museo di Storia ed Arte ed Orto Lapidario), representing a collection of archaeological finds discovered during excavations of ancient cities (fragments of buildings and other artifacts);
  • Museum of Ancient Roman Architecture and Sculpture – Lapidario Tergestino, located in the castle building of the 15th century;
  • Holocaust Museum "Risiera di San Sabba" (Museo della Risiera di San Sabba), which occupies premises that were used as a concentration camp in 1943-1945, where more than 20 thousand Jewish prisoners were exterminated, and presents documents from the terrible days of Nazism;
  • Public Library (Biblioteca Civica), housing the Museum of Natural Sciences, the Museum of the English novelist James Joyce and the Museum of the Italian novelist and playwright of Jewish origin Italo Svevo;
  • Aquarium (Acquario Marino), representing the inhabitants of ocean and sea waters.

The museum collections tell about the different stages of the culture of Trieste. But the whole city is a kind of open-air museum.

Roman theater

The first mention of Trieste was found in Julius Caesar’s book “Notes on the Gallic War” (Giulio Cesare, “Memorie di guerra Gallica”). It is known that the city attracted the ancient Romans as a convenient port; the fortress walls around Trieste were built under the emperor Octavian Augusto (Ottaviano Augusto) in 33 BC. e.

The ancient theater (Teatro Romano) was discovered in 1938 in the center of Trieste.

Despite the fact that only fragments of the theater, which accommodated 6,000 people who came to watch the gladiator fights, have survived, it makes a strong impression. The theater is used for its intended purpose; musical events are held here.

Tram-funicular Opicina

The Tranvia di Opicina tram route starts from Area Oberdan and runs from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The tram is at the same time a funicular railway, going up the mountain and going back down. 4 cars have been preserved since their production in 1935 and two more - in 1942.

At the top of the mountain is the village of Villa Opicina, actively visited by tourists.

Giant Cave

Trieste invites travelers to visit the largest cave in the country - Grotta Gigante, having a width of 107 m, a length of 130 m, a height of 65 m. To get inside, you need to go down a staircase of 500 steps. The spectacle is exceptional: the cave has stalagmites 12 m high, especially beautiful when illuminated. The temperature in the cave is maintained at 12°C to ensure uninterrupted operation of the instruments.

After the cave, you can visit the Museum of Speleology, which contains interesting exhibits telling about the geology of the region, as well as findings from paleontologists.

Traveling around Trieste and sightseeing in the surrounding area will open new pages of history and culture of the past and present, and introduce you to unique natural objects. The historical and cultural appearance of Trieste represents a harmonious unity of the features of Italian and Austrian architecture and represents a fascinating dialogue of cultures, we recommend it.

Trieste is the most un-Italian city in Italy. It is not visited by tourists making standard tours; of course, everyone wants to see Venice, Pisa, Florence or Rome. Italy, although many times smaller than Russia, is so different. Each town has its own unique charm. There is one in Trieste too. This charm is mixed with ancient Roman ruins, medieval buildings, has a rich Viennese flavor, four languages ​​are spoken there - Italian, Slovenian, German and English. And in the cafe on the Square of the Unification of Italy we were served in pure Russian.

It turned out very comical, the husband read the menu and made an order in English, and our son, naturally in Russian, said that he wanted ice cream, and then the waitress announced: “Boy, we don’t have ice cream.” And as if nothing had happened, she continues to speak to her husband in English. This is how cosmopolitan the city of Trieste turned out to be; it has always stood at the junction of the Latin, Slavic and German worlds and has absorbed a little from each.

All the sights of Trieste are compactly located around its main square and fit into just one photo.

Unitation Square of Italy

The most luxurious attraction of Trieste is the Piazza Unità d’Italia. It received its present name quite recently in 1955; before that it was simply called the Great Square (Piazza Grande), and even earlier St. Peter's Square in honor of the church of the same name that has not been preserved.

The square was built in the 19th century during the reign of the Habsburgs, when Trieste became fashionable seaside resort Austro-Hungarian Empire. This was a period of rapid growth of the city, the power of the Austrians benefited Trieste, as well as Budapest, which was also built up with magnificent buildings precisely under the strict leadership of the Habsburg dynasty. Many people compare Trieste with Vienna or even St. Petersburg for this area. The townspeople themselves claim that this is the largest square in the world overlooking the sea.

The city hall became infamous in connection with Mussolini. It was from the balcony of this building that on September 18, 1938, the dictator announced the introduction of racial laws in Italy. For the sake of this gathering, the fountain of the four continents was even removed and the people received Mussolini’s speech with enthusiasm.

Only 4 continents were reflected in the sculptures of the fountain, since at the time of its production it was not yet known about Australia and Antarctica, which is why there is such an erroneous fountain on the main square of Trieste.

The tower of the municipality was built in the same way as the clock tower in Piazza San Marco in Venice. There is an interesting bell at the top - the Moors - Micheze and Jacheze (Micheze e Jacheze) ring the bell, then we took a closer look at it in the museum of the San Giusto Castle. It’s curious that these sculptures are called Moors; in my opinion, they are typical Europeans; there is nothing African about them

Italy took part in the First World War on the side of the Entente; in memory of the fallen heroes, the main square is decorated with two metal columns, the lower parts of which are decorated with statues of infantrymen, pilots, artillerymen and other military specialists, even wreaths are still laid.

The Government Palace is decorated with beautiful mosaics in the Byzantine style.

To see the more ancient architectural monuments of Trieste, you will have to climb the mountain. It was hard because of the heat, but it was worth it.

Castle and Cathedral of San Giusto

The ancient heart of Trieste is located on a high hill above the sea, where it still stands medieval castle, built between 1471 and 1630 and the Cathedral of San Giusto. The Christian cathedral lived next to the Roman forum for several centuries, the remains of which can still be seen today.

The cathedral is very impressive; its construction dates back to the 14th century, at which point two basilicas from the 9th century were combined into one cathedral. And the entrance portal is borrowed from ancient Roman ruins. The entrance is free.

The interior is decorated with ancient mosaics. Fortunately, at the cathedral we met a group of tourists from Minsk with a guide, so we were able to listen to a short story about the mosaics and paintings of the cathedral. The central nave contains a relatively new Murano glass mosaic. The cathedral's ceiling is wooden, painted with various floral patterns.

The oldest mosaic is on the left; it is difficult to say exactly how old it is, but the motifs are very reminiscent of the mosaics of Ravenna. To view the masterpiece you will have to fork out a little money, lighting is paid. In European churches, such extortions are common; I had to throw a coin into the machine to turn on the light. The floors are also mosaic, they say the 4th century AD.

In the cathedral there are several more paintings dating back to the 17th-18th centuries; I noticed that the year was signed on the canvases i676, it is precisely instead of the number “1” that the small letter “i” is placed, maybe alternative historians are not so wrong with their new chronologies.

One of the paintings depicts a prelate in a red cardinal's robe (he was canonized), and his face is very dark, he could definitely be mistaken for a Moor. However, the guide convinced us that it was just the varnish that had darkened over time, so the prelate looked dark-skinned, while the other characters in the same picture were white-skinned, and the varnish on their faces had not darkened?

The appearance of which reflected different eras, leaving Austrian and Slovenian features and traditions that mixed in the cauldron of centuries with local customs, creating modern Trieste, full of charm, originality and eclecticism.

Trieste located in the bay of the same name in the Adriatic Sea, near the border with Slovenia. The city lies on the border of the Italian and Istra peninsulas. Street Rio Ospo, precisely, is the geographical border separating Istria.
The famous Bora wind, which is born in the mountains and descends on the city and the bay. Given the low temperatures in winter and high humidity, Bora is considered an unpleasant occurrence. In rare cases, its speed reaches 160 km/h. Locals say: "Bora is born in the mountains and dies in Trieste" . On the other hand, Bora is a kind of symbol of Trieste.

The territory of Trieste has been inhabited since ancient times. In the 1st century BC. Trieste was conquered by the Romans.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Trieste came under Byzantine rule and was occupied by the Franks in 788. Then power passed to the Bishop of Trieste, and in the 12th century. the city became a free commune. After numerous battles, Trieste was conquered by Venice in 1283, but was later retaken by partisan forces.
In 1382, Trieste came under the protection of the Dukes of Austria, maintaining autonomy until the end of the 17th century.
In 1470, Trieste withstood attacks by Turkish troops, although nearby cities were damaged.
Numerous medieval documents mention the development of winemaking in Trieste. You can find the following description: Trieste is a fortified borgo, surrounded by a wall and vines.
In 1719, Trieste became an important port, the only one on the Adriatic coast in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At this time, the number of residents is growing. In 1867, Trieste became the main city of the Austrian Maritimes. During this period, maritime trade developed, local businessmen became rich, creating a new bourgeois layer. Trieste is becoming a cosmopolitan city where foreign expats flock.
At the end of the 19th century, Trieste became part of a united Italy, but unrest against annexation broke out in the region, which was especially strong among the Slovenian ethnic group.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Italy experienced a number of difficulties that strained the overall situation. The attitude of the Austrians towards the Italian population of Trieste deteriorated greatly. At the end of the First World War, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slavs was formed, which laid claim to the lands of Trieste, as well as Gorizia. It was a period of unrest and armed clashes.
In 1918, Trieste passed to Italy. But the economic situation left much to be desired.
With the advent of the era of fascism, repressions of the Slovenian part of the population began, the Slovenian language was banned, Slovenian schools, newspapers, and cultural centers were closed. Many Slovenes emigrated to neighboring Yugoslavia.
In 1943, Trieste was occupied by the Nazis, who created the so-called Operational Zone of the Adriatic Coast (OZAK) under the Reichsgau of Carinthia. Trieste became the capital of this zone.
During this time, the San Sabba rice processing plant became a Nazi prison, used for political prisoners and Jews. Nowadays there is a museum within these walls.
In 1945, Yugoslav military units liberated Trieste, taking control of the city. In 1947, the Free Territory of Trieste was established, which the Morgan Line divided into two parts: Zone A, including the city of Trieste itself, was under the control of the Anglo-Americans, Zone B was controlled by Yugoslav troops. In 1954, zone A came under Italian rule, and zone B came under Yugoslavia.
In 1963, the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia was created, Trieste became the capital.

We will start our Trieste route from the Grand Canal (Canal Grande).

Grand Canal (Canal Grande) is one of the canals of Trieste, it is located in the very center of the city between the railway station and the square piazza Unità d'Italia. The canal was implemented in 1754-56. under the leadership of the Venetian Matteo Piron. The waterway made it possible to quickly unload goods from incoming ships and send them to the city center for sale. The canal is still navigable. Previously, the canal was longer, it reached all the way to the Church of St. Antonio, but in 1934 it was “shortened” by creating St. Antonio Square ( piazza Sant'Antonio).

Several palaces overlook the canal. For example, the red “skyscraper” - Palazzo Aedes, built in 1928, Palazzo Gopcevic (1850), the facade of which is made of red and yellow ornaments, now it houses a theater museum.
Palazzo Carciotti was built in 1805 for the Greek merchant Demetrius Carciotti. Later in luxurious palace Various government bodies were located, and now the offices of the city government. The building attracts attention with its monumental facade and dome, which was damaged by strong gusts of wind several years ago.
The Canal Grande is crossed by three bridges.
The Red Bridge was the first to be built on the canal in 1756, at that time the structure was wooden, in 1832 the bridge was made of iron. There is a statue of the Irish writer James Joyce here, in memory of his stay in Trieste.

The Green Bridge is located at the beginning where the canal flows into the sea. It was erected from iron in 1858. The White (or New) Bridge was built nearby, along which trains passed. Later the two bridges were combined into one.
The “colored” names of the bridges refer to the times when the structures were painted in different shades.
The pedestrian bridge appeared in 2012, it connects the streets via Cassa di Risparmio And via Trento. The steel structure is equipped with glass railings.
A small square square adjoins the Grand Canal piazza Ponterosso, on which is installed a funny fountain by Giovanni Battista Mazzoleni (1753)
The impressive church topped with a dome attracts attention. This Serbian- Orthodox church Holy Trinity and Saint Spyridon (Santissima Trinità e di San Spiridione). The church was erected in 1869 according to the design of the architect Karl Machakini on the site of a previously existing temple. The church was built according to Byzantine canons and has luxurious interior decoration. The large silver chandelier hanging at the entrance is a gift from the Russian Emperor Paul I. The priest warmly greets visitors from Russia, inviting them to the service.

Let's look into Trieste's historic café Stella Polare ("Polar Star"), which is located near the temple, at the intersection of Via Dante with the canal.
Coffee and Trieste are connected by a strong historical thread. Here in sea ​​port ships arrived loaded with coffee beans to be distributed throughout Europe in the form of a cup of aromatic coffee. The first coffee shops began to open in Trieste in the second half of the 18th century, by the 1930s. there were 54 cafes, and at the beginning of the 20th century their number grew to 98. The basis was the Viennese model: the cafe was a prestigious place where you could meet friends, discuss a book or newspaper news.
The funny thing is that Trieste has its own "coffee slang" , which is not used anywhere else in Italy.
So, if you want to order espresso, do not rush to say “espresso” or “cafe”, so as not to catch the barista’s arrogant gaze, the correct option is - "nero" or "nero in bi" , if you want to get espresso in a glass cup. Macchiato transforms into "capo" (and “capo in bi”), and decaffeinated coffee - "deck" .
To practice, try ordering a decaf macchiato. (clue - "capo deca" )

Cafe Stella Polare was opened in 1865, but changed locations several times before settling here. The cafe is designed in a typical Austro-Hungarian style, with an abundance of decorations and mirrors. The cafe was popular with merchants and creative intelligentsia. Nowadays, painting and photography exhibitions are constantly held here.
Open: 7-21, closed Sunday. Via Dante, 4

On the other side of the square, on via XXX Ottobre in house number 3 there are confectionery "La Bomboniera", founded in 1875 by a family of Hungarian Jews. The ancient pastry shops form a special part of the history of Trieste. They began to open during the Austrian period and were very similar to Viennese establishments in their style and selection of sweets.
In the confectionery "La Bomboniera" you can try the traditional Hungarian Dobos cake, consisting of six layers of sponge cake with chocolate cream and caramel glaze, named after the Hungarian pastry chef József Dobos; the popular "Sacher" - a chocolate cake covered in icing, invented by the Austrian confectioner Franz Sacher (and modified into the Soviet "Prague"); Linz almond cake with jam; local putizza and other sweets.
La Bomboniera. via XXX Ottobre 3. open: 9-13/17-20, closed: Monday and Sunday afternoon.


Patisserie La Bomboniera and Sachertorte. Trieste

Then we'll walk along the embankment riva Tre Novembre.
Here is the Greek Church of St. Nicholas (San Nicolo dei Greci).
During the time of Austrian rule, Trieste was a free port in which freedom of religion was approved at the legislative level. Therefore, churches of different faiths are quite widely represented in the city.
Greek Orthodox Church erected at the end of the 18th century, its façade is made in the neoclassical style.

In the neighboring house number 5 there is another historical Cafe Tommaseo. The exact date of foundation of the cafe is unknown, but in 1830 it was reopened after renovation. The owner at that time was Tomaso Marcato, and the cafe was named after him. In 1848, the cafe received its current name Tommaseo, in honor of the writer and patriot from Dolmatia. A portrait of the writer and several of his books have been preserved, as well as a commemorative inscription that states that the cafe was the local center of the movement for the liberation of Italy. Now the cafe offers a wide selection of sweets, a buffet, and a bar specializing in cocktails.
There are live concerts and art exhibitions every evening from Thursday to Saturday.

The rectangular square, surrounded by historic buildings, looks out over the bay. All around rise solid buildings - the mayor's office, the regional office, the prefecture and other historical buildings.
At first, the Italian Unification Square was called Piazza San Pietro, after the name of the church that existed here. Then it was renamed the Great Square, and in 1918 it received its real name. The square acquired its modern appearance in 2001-2005, at which time the buildings were restored and the original covering in the form of sandstone blocks was restored.

Piazza Unità d "Italia is the largest square in Italy facing the sea. If someone remembers Venice and San Marco, then we are talking about a lagoon, and not about the open sea. Here in the heart of Trieste is the Old Port, which is still has been functioning for some time now.
On the pier there is a statue of a soldier running straight out of the water with a waving flag in his hands. And sitting nearby are two “babes,” which means “elderly women” in the Triestine dialect, who are sewing Italian flags. Apparently to mark the annexation with Italy after 536 years spent as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

In the center of Piazza Unità d "Italia stands the "Four Continents" fountain, erected in 1751-54. Four statues symbolize Europe, Asia, Africa and America; water flows along the beds of four allegorical rivers. On top is a female figure with open arms, which depicts Trieste. In 1938, Mussolini visited Trieste, and the fountain was removed from the square to make room. Only in 1970 did it return to its place historical place.

The most significant building in Trieste is the Palazzo Lloyd Trestino, where the governing body of the autonomous region of Friuli Venezia Giulia is located. The building originally belonged to a ship-owning company; the first stone was laid in 1880. The façade of the palazzo is decorated with allegorical figures.

The City Hall building is decorated with a tower with two bronze Moors that chime every quarter of the hour. The figures are copies, the originals are kept in the Museum of the Castle of San Giusto. Initially, local residents did not like the palazzo very much, but later they came to terms with the construction. In 1938, Benito Mussolini gave a speech from the central balcony of City Hall.

The palazzo of the Austrian Viceroy now houses the prefecture. It is decorated with a mosaic depicting the coat of arms of the Savoy dynasty and typical characters. The palazzo was built in 1905, the mosaics date back to the 1920s.
At the top of the Palazzo Stratti there is a sculptural group symbolizing Trieste, fortune and progress. The building was built in 1839 and houses historical cafe Specchi, i.e. mirror cafe It was founded in 1839 by the Greek Nikolo Priovolo. The cafe immediately gained popularity due to its central location. Inside there is an important historical evidence - part of the wall of a castle built by the Venetians in 1370. Café Specchi hosts art exhibitions.
Surprisingly, in the Mirrors cafe there is espresso, i.e. Nero is served with a small glass filled with a sweet, nutty mixture. By pouring it into hot coffee, you can get something like Neapolitan coffee alla nocciola. Having asked our friend from Trieste (Giorgio, hello!) asking whether this kind of coffee is typical for these places, received a common answer, the meaning of which was that “in Trieste, everyone makes coffee in their own way, so there are many options.”

The cafe is open: from March 1 to mid-January every day. From November to March from 8.00 to 21.00, the rest of the time from 8.00 to 24.00. Trieste, Piazza Unità d"Italia 7

The small street between the prefecture and Palazzo Stratti will lead to piazza della Borsa – Exchange Square.
Piazza della Borsa is considered one of the main squares of Trieste. At first it was called Customs Square, after the building of the same name located here. In 1806, the Exchange was built here and the square changed its name. Now this building houses the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture. The Piccolo Canal (Small Canal) once ran along its side, but only the name of the street has survived; the water artery was buried in 1816. Opposite is a statue of Leopold I of Austria, son of Charles VI. The square is dominated by the Neptune Fountain, which moved to this location in 2008.
The Exchange Square is surrounded by numerous palazzos. One of the most interesting is the Bartoli house, built in the Liberty style in 1905.

On the square in house number 15 there is historic cafe Urbanis, opened in 1832. If you've already had your fill of caffeine, it's worth stopping by to admire the mosaic floor, which includes mythological figures including Bora, who blows the famous wind from his thick cheeks.

After visiting the ruins of the Roman theater, we will walk further along via del Teatro Romano. Most of the houses on this street look like ordinary rectangular boxes, but after a few meters on the left side rises high Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, to which long steps lead. The temple was erected in 1627-82. in the Baroque style, it belongs to the Jesuits.

Nearby, just below Church of St. Silvestro (San Silvestro), which is one of the oldest early Christian basilicas. At the site of its foundation was the house of the martyrs Tekla and Efemia. Now the church belongs to the evangelists. Inside there is an 18th-century iron crucifix, a marble plaque depicting a biblical scene and traces of frescoes.

Cathedral of Saint Giustian (Cattedrale di San Giusto) rises on the hill of the same name. It was erected in 1302-1320. more in place ancient church. The facade of the cathedral is decorated with a huge rose window. Bronze busts of three bishops were added in 1862. Frescoes and mosaics have been preserved inside the cathedral.
The temple makes a stunning impression, from the rough karst stone used on the façade to the interior decoration and frescoes.

Just behind the cathedral is fortress of San Giusto (Castello di S. Giusto).
The first mentions of the castle date back to the 15th century. The fortress was built by Frederick III of Habsburg during the war against Venice. Later, the castle was rebuilt, expanded and strengthened several times. And in 1930, the fortress became a tourist attraction.

Now a museum is open here; unfortunately, it is impossible to visit absolutely all the premises of the castle. But here you can see some symbols of Trieste. For example, halberd.
The Halberd of St. Sergius is the symbol of Trieste. Sergius lived in the 2nd century AD, he was a Roman officer, but secretly converted to Christianity. When Sergius was called to court, he told his friends that if he died there would be a sign. Sergius and his friend Bacchus were tortured, during which Bacchus died and Sergius was beheaded. This happened on October 7th. And on the same day, a halberd fell in the clear sky over Trieste, which became the symbol of the city. This halberd does not rust or tarnish. According to legend, it was made from a fallen meteorite.
Despite the fact that the biographies of Sergius and Bacchus raise many doubts among historians, to the point that they are accused of homosexual relations, the worship of these saints is developed in many countries. IN

Trieste- a city in Italy located on the Balkan Peninsula on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. It is the easternmost point of Italy, has a complex history and unrealized tourism potential.

Trieste, having a long history associated with Ancient Rome, recently returned to the Italian state. Despite the proximity of the airport, location on the seashore and mild climate, Trieste is not very popular among tourists. Most people find themselves here while passing through or on one-day excursions, and coming not from Italy, but from neighboring Slovenia and Croatia.

Data

  • City age: more than 2000 years, mentioned by Caesar;
  • Population: more than 200 thousand people;
  • Focus: tourism, major seaport, science and steel production;
  • Distance: 420 km to Rome in a straight line, nearby interesting cities - Venice (127 km), Ljubljana (70 km), Pula (85 km), Rijeka (60 km);
  • Architecture: a mixture of Austrian, Italian and partly Slovenian;
  • Interest for tourists: average, 1–2 days is enough to explore the city;
  • Beach holiday: in the city itself there are no normal beaches, but you can swim in the sea, there is an embankment.

City

Trieste is a very pleasant city in terms of location, climate, architecture and general atmosphere, but its potential for attracting tourists has not been fully exploited. One of the key problems is the lack of normal beaches and the presence of other tourist cities in the immediate vicinity.

But still, Trieste remains in demand among tourists, many find themselves passing through or specially coming and sailing for one or two days, and few are left disappointed. Firstly, the city is quite large and it is not entirely aimed at visitors, which has a positive effect on prices and the general atmosphere if you want to see the ordinary life of Italians. Secondly, Trieste is also interesting because the city was Italianized quite recently, in the 20th century. Before the appearance of the city was shaped by Austria, and a significant part of the population were Slovenes. Trieste will also be of interest to admirers of the talent of James Joyce. The writer spent almost 10 years in Trieste, and it was here that he began working on the first parts of Ulysses.

There is a monument in the city and several cafes where the writer liked to sit. It is interesting that the monument depicts Joyce already at an advanced age, although the writer arrived in Trieste when he was only 22 years old.

Beaches

We can say that there are no beaches in Trieste. In the city itself there is only the Barcola promenade, located in the north. As a place for walking, it is wonderful; it is called almost the most beautiful embankment in Italy. But this is not a beach. In these places, the coastline is fortified with large boulders, in some places there are stairs to enter the sea, and local residents jump into the water directly from the stones.


This is what a beach holiday looks like in Trieste itself

Relatively good beaches available in Grignano, a village 7 kilometers from the city center. Also in the south, in Mujo (10 km from the center) there are several sandy beaches. This city played a recreational role for the Austrian aristocracy; its general type is similar to, so you shouldn’t expect a good beach holiday from Trieste, but you can swim in the Adriatic Sea if you wish.

Shopping

Also, Trieste will not please shopping lovers too much. There are not as many shops and excitement here as in Rome or nearby Venice. But there is another side - lower prices, it is easy to find clothes not from well-known brands, but from cheaper local ones, but of no less quality.

For shopping in Trieste you can visit:

  • The largest shopping center is called Le Torri D'Europa, it is located near the port;
  • United Colors of Benetton, a brand complex of the famous Italian brand, which combines both a regular store and an outlet format trading platform;
  • Another large shopping center is called Giulia Centro Commerciale, it is located near the university;
  • But if shopping is critical, then it’s worth visiting the Palmanova outlet. This is a town of hundreds of shops where outdated collections are taken and sold at prices close to cost. Palmanova is located 50 km from Trieste, so the journey to it will take about an hour.

In addition to buying clothes, you can visit the traditional Italian flea market, which is open on Sunday mornings near the central square. Other interesting shopping places in Trieste include Mercato di Ponterosso - a regular food market where you can buy food at “local” prices.


Food market in Trieste

Rest

A whole complex of reasons, already voiced earlier, prevents Trieste from becoming a full-fledged holiday destination. Still, in Italy there is too much competition between resorts, so a city without full-fledged beaches, an hour and a half drive from Venice, does not have many chances to take the lead.

According to the reviews of most tourists, 2–3 days is enough time to explore Trieste, walk along its Austrian-Italian streets, see the sights and think about what to do next. Still, a seaside holiday, which is hinted at by the proximity of the Adriatic, is impossible in the city, so tourists prefer to go further - towards Venice or south, to the Balkan Peninsula.

How to get there

You can get to Trieste by water, air, car or train:

  • The international airport is in the neighboring town of Monfalcone, approximately 30 km from Trieste. It has flights from all over Europe and Italy, so finding a ticket, even with a transfer, is not difficult.
  • Trains arrive at the station in the city center, there are routes to all major cities in Italy - Rome, Milan, Turin, Venice.
  • Ferries from many Adriatic cities arrive at the port of Trieste. There are direct routes to, Patras, Igoumenitsa and.

Kitchen

In gastronomic terms, Trieste is interesting because it combines traditional Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with European cuisine. But the central place is, of course, occupied by seafood.

Yota soup is considered a traditional dish of the region.. This is a thick soup based on vegetables, sauerkraut, olive oil, flour and meat. Another Trieste soup is brodeto, which is prepared using small fish. Among the main courses, the potato roll strucolo di patate is interesting.


Similar dishes are served in every cafe and restaurant in the city.

The choice of fish dishes in Trieste restaurants will surprise many. These are a variety of variations in the preparation of local seafood, which makes no sense to list. And any lunch or dinner in Trieste will be complemented by traditional Italian products - pizza, quality coffee, cheese and, of course, local wine.

Weather

The climate in Trieste is very mild, resort-like, very similar to the Crimean climate, with which the city is located on the same latitude.

The relatively northern location protects the city from the summer heat, although in August on some days the temperature can rise above 30 degrees. And the mountains and warm sea soften the winter; negative temperatures are established mainly at night in January or February; during the day, even in winter, the air outside heats up to 5–10 degrees Celsius.

Map

Story

On the site of Trieste and in its surroundings there were ancient developed settlements from about the second millennium BC. Various tribes settled in this area due to its convenient location near the bay. But ancient Rome gave a serious impetus to the development of the city.

Roman times

Trieste, under the name Tergestum, was mentioned by Caesar in his Notes on the Gallic War. It is known that Trieste suffered from predatory pirate raids and the following year Caesar sent his legate Labienus with the XV Legion to protect the new territories from robbery. Later, the city of Tergestum was also mentioned by Strabo, who designated it as a military outpost that also performed trading functions.

There is no exact information about the origin of the name. Perhaps the word is formed from two parts terg and este, market and city. Another option is the origin of the word “three”; probably, before colonization, the Romans conquered this territory three times.

Emperor Octavian Augustus drew attention to the convenient location of the settlement and ordered it to be strengthened and a port to be founded. Powerful fortress walls were built (only a small section of them remained - the Arch of Ricardo), traditional Roman social buildings: a forum and an amphitheater (preserved to this day), and, of course, a port, which became one of the most important in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. A century later, in the first century AD, The Flavian Way was built, starting in Trieste and connecting Rome with Istria and Dalmatia.

Under Trajan, Trieste reached the peak of its development, like the entire Roman Empire. The population increased to 12,000 people, and the amphitheater alone began to accommodate 6,000 spectators. The city was supplied with water through two aqueducts, and the local population, thanks to its location on trade routes, quickly grew rich.

Middle Ages

The end of the first successful stage in the history of Trieste came with the division of the Roman Empire, when the city went to the Eastern part and then to Byzantium. Already in the 6th century, Trieste was destroyed by the Lombards, later the city was restored, but Trieste will not see its former greatness for a long time.

In the 9th century, this part of the Balkans began to be settled by the Slavs, with the permission of the ruling Franks. At the same time, Christianity came to Trieste, and by the 11th century a diocese already existed in Trieste.

An important milestone in the medieval history of Trieste - the achievement of de facto independence. Roughly, since 948, Trieste has been a city-state. But Trieste spent all subsequent time in constant war with Venice and, unable to withstand the competition, after an 11-month siege in 1382 it accepted the power of the Habsburgs and became part of Austria. But this led to a long period of decline, as the Austrian authorities did not pay any attention to the city on the periphery.

New time

A small dying town unexpectedly received the status of “porto franco”, that is, a tax-free port city. This event occurred in 1719, until the end of the century the status expanded to new territories, as a result, the whole of Trieste became free from taxes.

In less than a century, the population of Trieste grew from 5,000 to 30,000 people.

General view of Trieste in 1756

This led to the explosive growth of Trieste, the city increased its population several times in a short time. Local residents grew rich, nobles and merchants built houses for themselves, and new administrative and public buildings appeared. It was during this period that the architectural appearance of Trieste was formed, which remains to this day.

But at the end of the 18th century, a war with France began. Napoleon's troops captured the city three times, then it returned to Austria, but lost its rights. Instead, Trieste received railway and the status of the main city in the region, which allowed Trieste to become the fourth city in Austria after Vienna, Prague and Budapest.

In 1882, Gugliemo Oberdan planned the assassination of Franz Joseph during the Emperor's visit to Trieste in honor of the 500th anniversary of the city being part of Austria. Oberdan was arrested and executed, and the emperor ruled for another three decades, but never visited Trieste again.

20th century and today

The beginning of the 20th century was a period of development of tourism in Trieste. Then it was considered the “Austrian Riviera” and many cultural figures of that time came here. Among the most famous are the already mentioned Joyce, Sigmund Freud and Umberto Saba.

But Trieste was given to Italy among other territories for entering the First World War. According to the agreements, the city was annexed at the end of the war and a period of Italian dominance began.

An active confrontation began between the Italian majority, whose representatives often belonged to the lower class, and the Slovenian community, representing the middle class. This resulted in pogroms and attacks on Slovenian establishments, then a resistance movement arose, which carried out several terrorist attacks. With the strengthening of fascist power, persecution of Jews also began, and Slovenians were deported.

In 1943, Trieste was occupied by German troops, and after World War II a period of political instability began. The rights to the city were claimed by Yugoslavia, which in 1945 was able to capture and hold the city for 40 days.


22nd Battalion from New Zealand on approach to Trieste (2-4 May 1945)
Now the loss of Trieste is a sore subject for Slovenia. Many consider this a betrayal on the part of the USSR, which decided not to defend the interests of its Balkan allies.

The result of all these events was an agreement according to which Trieste was divided into two parts, which came under the control of Yugoslavia and the Anglo-American administration. In 1947, Trieste again became a city-state under the formal administration of the UN. In 1954 it was transferred to Italy, and in 1975 the border between Italy and Slovenia was finally approved.

The Italian authorities, realizing that the city had lost its former commercial and port attractiveness, they are establishing scientific laboratories and high-tech production facilities here. Then tourism began to develop in the city, but it is very difficult to compete with neighboring Venice.

Attractions

Miramare Castle in Trieste

The city's most famous landmark, which is actually located outside of it. The castle was built between 1856 and 1860 for Maximilian I, the younger brother of Franz Joseph. The building was built by the architect Junker on a rock jutting out into the sea near Trieste (5 km from the current city center, but outside the borders). There is a large park around the castle, open to visitors. The Miramare Palace itself houses a museum showing the original furnishings of the castle at the time of its construction.

Orthodox Cathedral in Trieste

In 1869, an Orthodox church was built in Trieste for the vast Serbian diaspora. It still functions today, although most of the Serbs were deported or left the city on their own when it became Italian. But the temple, bearing the name “Church of St. Spyridon,” still works to this day, diluting the Austrian architecture with its appearance.

Unity Square of Italy (Piazza Unità d "Italia)

The main square of the city, where administrative buildings, palaces and several hotels are located. In the center of the square there is a fountain and a column dedicated to Charles VI. Unity Square in Trieste holds the title of the largest central square in Europe, which opens directly onto the sea.

Castle of San Giusto

Military fortifications located on the hill of the same name. On this hill were located Roman forts, Venetian fortifications, and the current castle, built in the 15th century. It quickly lost its significance; at the very beginning of the 18th century, when the city was shelled by French artillery, it became clear to the military that the castle of San Giusto no longer protected Trieste.

Interesting fact: The castle served a military role only twice, and both times after it ceased to be directly used and maintained. In 1813, Napoleon's troops held the defense here, and in 1945 - German soldiers.

In 1930, the authorities of Trieste decided to restore the fortifications as a tourist site, especially since the cathedral is also located on the hill. The Castle of San Giusto (or Saint Justus) acquired its current appearance. Now there is a weapons museum, a terrace with views of Trieste, a courtyard where concerts and various events take place, as well as the walls and premises themselves, which have preserved their original historical appearance. There are also catacombs under the buildings, which are inaccessible to visitors and are still being explored by historians and restorers, although there is an elite restaurant in one of the tunnels.

Arch of Riccardo

A preserved ancient Roman arch, which could have been either a city gate or the entrance to one of the temples. It was probably built in the 1st century BC, during the time of Octavian, who ordered the fortification of Trieste. It got its name in honor of Richard the Lionheart, who passed through Trieste on his way back from the Crusade. But there is also a more down-to-earth version - perhaps the arch was located on the cardo maximus, that is, the main street of the city in the traditional Roman layout. That’s why it was called Arco del Cardo, which transformed into Arco di Riccardo.

Roman amphitheater

A traditional amphitheater that functioned in all major ancient Roman cities. Supposedly it was built in the 1st century BC, but then expanded under Trajan, when Trieste reached the peak of its development. Originally located outside the city, at the foot of the San Giusto hill, taking advantage of the natural topography for the seating arrangement. It accommodated, according to various estimates, from 3,500 to 6,000 spectators. As a result, the amphitheater was built up with houses; its existence was known, but the exact location was discovered only in 1938. Today, the amphitheater has been completely excavated and even fulfills its original role - in the summer, artists perform here.

Fascist concentration camp and museum (Civico Museo della Risiera di San Sabba)

On the outskirts of the city, in the San Sabo district, a complex was built in 1913 for processing and drying rice, as well as the production of rice flour. In 1943, with the transfer of Trieste to German control, a concentration camp was founded here. Basically, it served a transit function; 25 thousand prisoners passed through it, but up to 5,000 of them were killed in the camp itself. In Risiera di San Sabba there were gas chambers and a crematorium, which was turned into a rice dryer and where 3,500 thousand bodies were burned. Since 1965, the building has been turned into a national monument and functions as a museum showing the horrors of the fascist regime.

Barcola embankment

The embankment and the main recreation area where both tourists and locals come. It is also one of the few places that can be used as a beach. But, as already mentioned, this is not a full-fledged beach, but a concrete embankment with equipped descents into the water. As a place for relaxation and walking, Barcola is ideal and is called by many almost the best European promenade.

Trieste Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Giusto)

The main temple of the city, located on the hill of San Giusto, near the castle. Construction took place in the 14th century, and since then the cathedral has functioned almost unchanged as a Roman Catholic church.

The list of attractions in Trieste can easily include a dozen more palaces, several churches, a number of unique buildings such as catacombs, the ruins of a Roman aqueduct and a large canal, as well as a theater and several museums. There is always something to see in Trieste for people of all different interests. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to be in this Italian city, at least just passing through or on a one-day tour, then do not miss it.

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Trieste is a city located in the autonomous region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. 145 kilometers east of Venice, almost on the border with Slovenia. Trieste is the administrative center of the province of the same name. This small town is located in the depths of the Gulf of Trieste in the Adriatic Sea.

Story

The history of Trieste dates back to the time of Caesar, where it was first mentioned in the Notes on the Gallic War under the name Tergeste. The first city walls on this site appeared in 33 BC under Octavian. In the Middle Ages this city was significant shopping center, the struggle for which was fought by more than one state. And despite the fact that Trieste remained almost the only and main port of the Habsburg Monarchy, its development was so slow that by the beginning of the 18th century the population was only 5.7 thousand people.


In 1719, Trieste was declared a free imperial city, which gave a strong impetus to its development. By the end of the 19th century, the population increased 27 times, and by this time Austro-Hungarian Trieste had become one of the largest ports of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the “pearl” of the Austrian Riviera, where the upper strata of Viennese society spent their winter time. After the war, Trieste and a small surrounding area constituted the so-called Free Territory of Trieste, which was administered by Anglo-American authorities. And in 1954, after the signing of the Italian-Yugoslav agreement with the participation of England and the USA, Trieste and its northern territory passed to Italy, and the southern ones to Yugoslavia.

  • Area: 85 km²;
  • Time zone: UTC+1, summer UTC+2;
  • Population: 204,200.

Get to the city

Today Trieste is a magnificent city with an almost Eastern European atmosphere, cozy pubs, cafes and restaurants, amazing architecture and a beautiful view of the sea, but tourists for some reason forget about Trieste. Getting to Trieste is very easy: domestic flights via Milan, Rome and Genoa, or directly on international flights, for example via Munich, London or Belgrade. international Airport located 33 kilometers from the center of Trieste, close to the A4 motorway Venice - Trieste.


There is also a bus station in the center, and a train station nearby. The easiest way to get there is by train - there are connections from Venice and Udine, which arrive every hour. There are also trains from Milan, Rome and Basel. There are also international connections from Ljubljana, Maribor, Budapest and Zagreb. If you are planning to come to Trieste by train, then the last twenty minutes you will enjoy a beautiful view of the city and the sea, this section of the railway runs along the coast.

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City of Trieste (Italy) is a vibrant and unforgettable combination of Italian, Austrian and Balkan culture, which from the first moment of acquaintance becomes noticeable thanks to the wonderful atmosphere and unique historical sights - just look at its panoramic photos. This place is often ignored, preferring others Italian cities, but if you look here for one day, you can discover many interesting things.

Sights of Trieste

The city of Trieste is located in the northeastern part, stretching along the shores of the Adriatic Sea. Due to its location, it has always been considered an important trading center, and many states fought for its possession. The Venetians, Austrians and Slovenes, who took turns owning this city, made an impressive contribution to culture and history, which is especially noticeable in the architectural appearance of Trieste.

Unity Square

The most noticeable attraction of Trieste is its central square, which is considered not only the largest in the city, but also the only frontal place with access to the sea. In the original version, it had no borders with water, and in the very place where the descent is now located, there was previously a city park.

In the eighteenth century, when the Austrian Duchess Maria Theresa took up the task of remodeling this place, she, first of all, decided to “unfold” the square to face the sea. Today the square faces sea ​​bay, old port and pier Molo Audace, so guests of the city have magnificent views.

Unity Square combines several buildings decorated in the Austrian style:

  • Palazzo del Governo;
  • Palazzo del Lloyd Triestino;
  • Palazzo dei Generalli;
  • Mirror Cafe.

All historical Buildings, lined along the perimeter of the square, resemble snow-white cakes with cream, since they have light facades decorated with carved statues and bas-reliefs.

In the very center of the square there is a fountain of four continents: , Europe, and , each of which is personified by a female figure. The fifth continent (Australia) was missing because it was not discovered at that time.


Unity Square beautiful both during the day and in the evening. As soon as it begins to get dark, millions of lights and blue lights are lit on its territory, which indicate the places where the waves once reached.

Architecture of Trieste

Cultural heritage of Trieste- This is ancient Roman architecture and its ruins, as well as the central buildings of the city, which are characterized by an Austrian style and an amazing mixture of Mediterranean styles, noticeable in the palaces, castles and fortresses of this city.

Getting acquainted with ancient architecture should start with the oldest buildings - from the times when Ancient Rome captured Trieste during the Istrian War. Thanks to these events, the city received the Ancient Roman amphitheater, built on the Justo hill about two thousand years ago. Its capacity is 6 thousand seats, which still allows various events to be held here.


The architectural pride of Trieste, which was given to this city by famous rulers, are luxurious castles and palaces located in the most picturesque places:

  • Miramare Castle. The popularity of this palace is evidenced by the fact that it is depicted on all postcards dedicated to Trieste. The snow-white castle, built on the top of a cliff, seems so airy and light that it leaves an indelible impression, especially at sunset. It was built by order of Archduke Maximilian as a “golden cage” for his wife Charlotte, and was later used as a summer residence for the Habsburg dynasty.
  • Duino Castle. The castle was built in the 1300s on a steep cliff facing the sea. This place has many legends, starting with the tragic story of the White Lady and ending with the mysterious life of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke. The castle's halls house works of art and historical relics that belonged to the princes of Von Thurn und Taxis.
  • Castle of St. Justus (Giusto). Situated on a high hill next to the cathedral of the same name, this castle is a valuable repository of numerous memorial plaques with the names of the owners, ancient bas-reliefs with coats of arms and a valuable weapons collection. The castle and the adjacent park often host festivals or celebrate exciting events.

Trieste is rich not only in castles, but also in palaces located in the old part of the city. First of all, it will be interesting to see the Gopcevic Palace, built on the banks of the Grand Canal, as well as the Carciotti Palace - the former home of a wealthy Greek merchant.


After admiring the palaces and castles, you should go to the central part of the city and continue your walk, starting from Verdi Square, where the theater of the same name is located, a fountain and a stock exchange, more reminiscent of an ancient Greek temple.


Walking through this part of the city, it is worth paying attention to how the ancient buildings look: on the lower floors there is almost no decor, while the upper floors are richly decorated with all kinds of statues, bas-reliefs and stucco moldings. This idea again belonged to Maria Theresa. People passing along the street in a carriage had to look at the goods displayed in the windows, and not at the houses themselves. But those who came to Trieste on business had to look up and admire how powerful people lived in the city.

Grand Canal and Place Saint Anthony

It is impossible to imagine a holiday in Trieste without visiting Grand Canal, extending from St. Anthony's Square and leading to the sea itself. It was created according to the idea of ​​​​Maria Theresa and was intended as a place that connects the city center with the sea. It's always nice to stroll along the canal in fine weather and admire the surrounding luxury.

Now Grand Canal partially drained, and on its sides there are cafes and souvenir shops. However, in its past it was so large and in demand that merchant ships could pass through it, mooring near the merchants' palazzo located along it. Thus, residents of luxury houses could trade without leaving their home.


On the square St. Anthony Adjacent to the Grand Canal, there is a temple of the same name, decorated with columns and statues, as well as a statue of James Joyce, the famous writer, author of Ulysses and other equally famous works. Living permanently in this city for many years, the writer created his best works here, including writing several chapters of the novel “Ulysses.”

Being a multinational city, Trieste has become a place where there is an Orthodox church, also located in St. Anthony's Square. The church, whose facade is decorated with Murano glass, looks very impressive.

Medieval city

Tired of pompous Austrian and colorful Italian architecture, tourists have the opportunity to find out what Trieste was like before Maria Theresa took over its reincarnation.

Narrow streets dotted with dilapidated staircases, as well as simple houses without stucco or bas-reliefs, give an idea of ​​how much the city has changed and what small Italian towns actually look like. Despite the lack of luxury, all the houses look incredibly cozy and nice.


Quiet and calm Trieste, not overcrowded with tourists, deserves the attention of tourists who prefer to leisurely get acquainted with ancient history Italian cities.

The article does not pretend to cover all attractions; it reflects the individual experience of our blogger.