Trieste is the largest city in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of
northeast Italy. It lies at the end of a narrow strip of
land between the Italian border with Slovenia and the Adriatic
Sea. Once one of the most important cities in Austria-Hungary, it
is now among the richest parts of Italy, thriving through its
shipbuilding industry, and an increasingly important hub of finance and
tourism. By virtue of its location, on the boundary between west
and east Europe, Trieste has a broad ethnic mix and cultural
diversity. All too easily overlooked, Trieste is one of the most
enchanting cities in Italy and offers a host of attractions, not least
of which is its wealth of historic architecture, which includes ancient
Roman remains. The city is also situated in one of the most
scenic parts of Italy, a picturesque coastal retreat with its sea
views, rocky beaches and limestone cliffs.
Trieste was originally an Illyrian settlement, which was overrun by the Gaulish Carni and captured by the Romans in the second century BC. Tergeste, as it was known, became a military colony under Roman rule and prospered until the 4th century AD. In 567, it was sacked by the Lombards during their invasion of northern Italy, and became part of the Frankish kingdom in the 8th century. Controlled by the Patriarchate of Aquileia in the 11th century, it become self-governing by the 13th century. In 1382, after two hundred years of war with Venice, Trieste sought the protection of Austria and submitted itself to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, although it retained a degree of autonomy. By the 18th century, Trieste had become Austria's most important sea port, a vital centre of trade and shipbuilding. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, Trieste was annexed to Italy. In 1947, Trieste was declared an independent city state but formally became part of Italy in 1954. Whilst its political importance has hugely declined since its glory days in the 18th and 19th centuries, Trieste remains a wealthy city, active in its key maritime industries.
Most of Trieste's tourist attractions are located within a fairly small
area of its medieval Old Town. Dominating the Piazza della Cattedrale is Trieste
Cathedral, which dates back to the 14th century. Distinguished by
its sandstone façade and Byzantine mosaics, this is dedicated to
the patron saint of Trieste, San Guisto, a martyr of the 4th
century. It is built on Roman ruins and stands next to a castle,
whose ramparts offer stunning panoramic views of the city and
surrounding landscape. The Piazza
dell'Unità d'Italia is a large square on the seafront,
surrounded by some impressive buildings which include the City
Hall. The old docks are nearby. Arco di Riccardo is a Roman gate
which stands on the Piazzetta Barbacan. This was built in 33 AD
and was originally part of the Roman city walls.
At the foot of the San Giusto hill stands a remarkably well-preserved Roman Theatre, which dates to the 1st century AD. The statues which once adorned the theatre are now located in the City Museum. Further up the hill is the Basilica di San Silvestro, a small Romanesque church (the oldest in Trieste). Next to this is the far more imposing Baroque Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Other interesting sacred buildings in the city include: the Byzantine Serbian-Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity and St Spyridion, built in the 19th century, impressive with its icons and frescos; and the Israelite Temple of Trieste, Italy's largest synagogue, built in 1912.
The Victory Lighthouse (Il Faro della Vittoria) was designed by the Trieste architect Arduino Berlam and is surmounted by a copper statue sculpted by Giovanni Mayer. A monument to those who died in the First World War as well as a functioning lighthouse, it offers the best views of Trieste, for those who have the stamina to climb its 200 steps. Miramar Castle (Schloss Miramar) is a 19th century castle of white Istrian stone, situated on the coast, 8 km from Trieste. This is noted for its stunning gardens, which were originally planted under the orders of the Archduke Maximilian.
Trieste has a surprisingly large number of museums. The best of these are the Museum of History and Art (Museo di Storia, Arte e Orto Lapidario), with a large collection of Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities, and the Revoltella Museum (Museo Revoltella), offering a superb collection of 19th century and modern art. Other interesting museums include: the Modern Art Gallery; the Museum of the Sea; the Joyce Museum, dedicated to the city's most famous expatriate, the writer James Joyce; the Natural History Museum (Museo di Storia Naturale), with a rich and varied collection of rocks, fossils and minerals; the Museum of the Jewish Community of Trieste (Museo della Comunità Ebraica di Trieste); the Railway Museum of Trieste, which exhibits models, full-sized engines and horse-drawn trams; and the Museo della Risiera di San Sabba, a national monument on the site of the only Nazi concentration camp with a crematorium in Italy.
The City Aquarium (Civico Acquario Marino) is a popular attraction for families, offering a wide range of marine fauna including fish, turtles, crustaceans and penguins. Another popular family attraction is the L'Ausonia, a spa centre which includes a sea-water swimming pool and solarium. Further afield, there are the region's famous caves, including the Grotta Gigante, the world's largest tourist cave (15 km north of Trieste). If it is green space you are after, there is the Civico Orto Botanico di Trieste, a well-stocked botanical garden, and the Val Rosandra, a national park on the border with Slovenia. Near to Trieste there are several attractive seaside towns, including Muggia and Grado, offering sandy beaches.
Trieste is served by the International Airport of Ronchi dei Legionari (Aeroporto Friuli-Venezia Giulia), 33 km northwest of the city centre. There are flights to a limited number of destinations in Italy (Rome, Genoa and Milan) and Europe (London, Birmingham, Brussels, Munich and Tirana). A bus runs from the airport to the bus station in the city centre. The city's main train station provides connections to Venice, Milan and Rome, as well as Budapest and Zagreb. An extensive bus network operates in the city.
Trieste was originally an Illyrian settlement, which was overrun by the Gaulish Carni and captured by the Romans in the second century BC. Tergeste, as it was known, became a military colony under Roman rule and prospered until the 4th century AD. In 567, it was sacked by the Lombards during their invasion of northern Italy, and became part of the Frankish kingdom in the 8th century. Controlled by the Patriarchate of Aquileia in the 11th century, it become self-governing by the 13th century. In 1382, after two hundred years of war with Venice, Trieste sought the protection of Austria and submitted itself to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, although it retained a degree of autonomy. By the 18th century, Trieste had become Austria's most important sea port, a vital centre of trade and shipbuilding. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, Trieste was annexed to Italy. In 1947, Trieste was declared an independent city state but formally became part of Italy in 1954. Whilst its political importance has hugely declined since its glory days in the 18th and 19th centuries, Trieste remains a wealthy city, active in its key maritime industries.
At the foot of the San Giusto hill stands a remarkably well-preserved Roman Theatre, which dates to the 1st century AD. The statues which once adorned the theatre are now located in the City Museum. Further up the hill is the Basilica di San Silvestro, a small Romanesque church (the oldest in Trieste). Next to this is the far more imposing Baroque Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Other interesting sacred buildings in the city include: the Byzantine Serbian-Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity and St Spyridion, built in the 19th century, impressive with its icons and frescos; and the Israelite Temple of Trieste, Italy's largest synagogue, built in 1912.
The Victory Lighthouse (Il Faro della Vittoria) was designed by the Trieste architect Arduino Berlam and is surmounted by a copper statue sculpted by Giovanni Mayer. A monument to those who died in the First World War as well as a functioning lighthouse, it offers the best views of Trieste, for those who have the stamina to climb its 200 steps. Miramar Castle (Schloss Miramar) is a 19th century castle of white Istrian stone, situated on the coast, 8 km from Trieste. This is noted for its stunning gardens, which were originally planted under the orders of the Archduke Maximilian.
Trieste has a surprisingly large number of museums. The best of these are the Museum of History and Art (Museo di Storia, Arte e Orto Lapidario), with a large collection of Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities, and the Revoltella Museum (Museo Revoltella), offering a superb collection of 19th century and modern art. Other interesting museums include: the Modern Art Gallery; the Museum of the Sea; the Joyce Museum, dedicated to the city's most famous expatriate, the writer James Joyce; the Natural History Museum (Museo di Storia Naturale), with a rich and varied collection of rocks, fossils and minerals; the Museum of the Jewish Community of Trieste (Museo della Comunità Ebraica di Trieste); the Railway Museum of Trieste, which exhibits models, full-sized engines and horse-drawn trams; and the Museo della Risiera di San Sabba, a national monument on the site of the only Nazi concentration camp with a crematorium in Italy.
The City Aquarium (Civico Acquario Marino) is a popular attraction for families, offering a wide range of marine fauna including fish, turtles, crustaceans and penguins. Another popular family attraction is the L'Ausonia, a spa centre which includes a sea-water swimming pool and solarium. Further afield, there are the region's famous caves, including the Grotta Gigante, the world's largest tourist cave (15 km north of Trieste). If it is green space you are after, there is the Civico Orto Botanico di Trieste, a well-stocked botanical garden, and the Val Rosandra, a national park on the border with Slovenia. Near to Trieste there are several attractive seaside towns, including Muggia and Grado, offering sandy beaches.
Trieste is served by the International Airport of Ronchi dei Legionari (Aeroporto Friuli-Venezia Giulia), 33 km northwest of the city centre. There are flights to a limited number of destinations in Italy (Rome, Genoa and Milan) and Europe (London, Birmingham, Brussels, Munich and Tirana). A bus runs from the airport to the bus station in the city centre. The city's main train station provides connections to Venice, Milan and Rome, as well as Budapest and Zagreb. An extensive bus network operates in the city.
Also in Italy:
Top tourist attractions in Trieste, Italy:
- Aquarium
- Basilica di San Silvestro
- Castello di Miramare
- Castle Museum
- Cattedrale di San Giusto
- L'Ausonia
- Mariano Temple
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