Things to Do and See in Trieste

Trieste, the capital of the province of the same name, overlooks the sea and is surrounded by a picturesque karst plateau. As a border city, it is a blend of Italian, Austro-Hungarian, and Slavic cultures. The main monuments in the historic center are the Arch of Richard and the Roman theater, built at the behest of Emperor Trajan between the 1st and 2nd centuries and constructed almost entirely of stone. Also in the center, but perched high up amid stairways and narrow alleys, stands the Castle of San Giorgio, near the 14th-century Cathedral of San Giusto, the city’s most important religious building. Don’t miss Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia, with its Viennese-style layout, surrounded on three sides by neoclassical buildings and on the fourth side by the sea. Also worth noting is the imposing Faro della Vittoria, which rises on Gretta Hill—a monument dedicated to those who fell in World War I. Famous writers such as Rainer Maria Rilke, James Joyce, and Italo Svevo were captivated by the historic cafés that once served as gathering places for literary figures and writers; together with the harbor and the impressive Art Nouveau architecture, these elements lend the city an air of mystery and charm. As for the attractions located outside the city center, they can also be reached via the historic “Tram de Opcina,” in operation since 1902, which leads to the karst hamlet of Opicina, above the city. There, we recommend stopping at the obelisk, right at the end of the climb, to walk along the Napoleonica, a scenic trail overlooking the sea. The rest of the province offers many interesting destinations, starting with the Venetian-style seaside village of Muggia, featuring a picturesque little harbor, a magnificent cathedral, and stately buildings—including the castle—not to mention the Muggia Vecchia Archaeological Park for archaeology enthusiasts. On the opposite side of Muggia in the Gulf of Trieste lies the village of Duino, which boasts a castle built on a karst rock overlooking the sea, surrounded by a large park with terraces and avenues. Just a few kilometers from the sea lies Val Rosandra, a landscape with a very distinctive character, as its steep white rock faces are more reminiscent of high-mountain terrain than a valley situated so close to the sea; Here, we recommend the hike that starts from the village of Bagnoli della Rosandra, first following the stream and then climbing up to the secluded little church of Santa Maria in Siaris, nestled on a steep karst rock face. Monrupino, perched high on a hill, offers a panoramic view of the entire karst plateau, and the hamlet of Rupingrande is home to the famous Casa Carsica, a sort of ethnographic museum showcasing traditional costumes, tools, and rural furniture.