TRIESTE
Trieste lies between Italy and Istria and has an interesting mixture of cultures and traditions. It is a port city and still plays a fundamental role in the flow of international goods to Eastern Europe today.
Brief history
The city is the capital of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, which covers northeast Italy, bordering with Austria, Slovenia and the Adriatic Sea and forming a bridge between western and central-southern Europe. It has been an important maritime-railway junction since Hapsburg Empire and it was the main link to the sea.
The Roman name for the city was Tergeste, and during this time it established itself as one of the major ports on the Adriatic and along the Via Popilia-Annia, it was surrounded by high walls built by Octavian Augustus and was developed with the construction of a Forum and a Theater. The importance of Trieste has always been linked to trade, still today, the city is an international hub for both land and sea for the Asian, Eastern and Central European markets.
Places to see
The castle of San Giusto is worth a visit and is located on the highest hill in the city, it acted as a lookout over the sea and today it is considered the symbol of Trieste. In the past, the castle was used by the Romans, the Venetians and the Austro-Hungarians and today it houses the Civic Museum which showcases a collection of weapons and 130 stone artefacts from the Roman era.
The cathedral of San Giusto dominates the city and has a very simple facade with a large Gothic rose window, inside you can admire the beautiful floors. A little outside the city is the beautiful Miramare Castle that was built at the end of the 1800s as a residence. It now houses the historical museum and is surrounded by a really beautiful park. Also, don't miss the Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, it is a charming square to enjoy a good coffee and admire the old buildings.
Surrounding beaches
Near the Lantern Pier there is an ancient bathhouse from the 1920s that is still popular today on the Lanterna pier a well-known equipped beach is El Pedocin. The coastal road is always popular with people who relax and sunbathe, there is a great place called Topolini, which is very popular with Trieste residents. Do not miss the beach attached to a place called Le Ginestre, it is surrounded by wild beauty, uncontaminated nature with a crystal clear sea.