28 January, 2019
A
city of conflict and complexities, Trieste’s history is
reflected in its patchwork architecture and cultural medley. Tucked
between the Adriatic Coast and the Slovenian border, Trieste has
been claimed and conquered by everyone from Julius Caesar and
Charlemagne to the Habsburg Empire and the Allied Forces. The city
was only returned to Italy just over 60 years ago and has
enjoyed a well-deserved peaceful existence since.
Despite years of disturbance, Trieste’s beguiling heritage is
what makes it so charming. The city’s tumultuous past has resulted
in a culture that is quite unlike any other European city, although it has
been influenced by many. Wander through the Italian port to find
Roman ruins, Viennese architecture and belle epoque cafés. Travel
writer Jan Morris called Trieste “the capital of nowhere”, and it
isn’t hard to see why. Trieste provides the perfect location to put
your worries behind you and remind yourself of life’s simple
pleasures. What this city lacks in conventional tourist sights, it
makes up for in an infectious “la vita è bella” attitude.
Trieste has few must-see spots but eager sightseers can head to
the Piazza Unità d’Italia, the Victory Lighthouse or the Castello
Miramare for ancient architecture, Roman ruins and views across the
Adriatic. To truly understand Trieste’s engrossing history,
visit the city’s many museums. Hidden down the Old Town’s cobbled
streets, the Museo di Storia ed Arte is an archaeological museum,
hosting everything from tombstones and urns to Roman ruins and
relics. Art lovers should make a beeline for the Museo Revoltella.
Wander around the marble columns and extravagant interiors of
Venetian philanthropist and art collector Pasquale Revoltella’s
palace-turned-gallery. Leaving his curated collection to the city,
the gallery now displays work by significant Italian artists such
as Giorgio De Chirico, Lucio Fontana and Casorati.
A coffee addict. Trieste has been one of the
Mediterranean‘s main ports since 1719 and some of the world’s
finest coffee beans are imported here. Café hop along the harbour
to taste tester some of Europe‘s best espressos.
Trieste rarely welcomes hoards of tourists, but go in May
to have the city entirely to yourself, complete with warm
temperatures and a summer sea breeze.
Intellectuals looking for inspiration. Trieste has been a hub
for
artists, writers and philosophers like James Joyce, Sigmund
Freud and Italo Svevo since the early 20th century. Make your way
to Caffè San Marco – a spot where literary greats have been
convening for decades and order a cappuccino (or something
stronger) while you browse the in-store bookshop.
A notepad and pen. If James Joyce was inspired to write Ulysses
in the depths of Trieste, who knows what masterpiece you could
create?
Ryanair flies direct to Trieste airport, and there is a shuttle
bus to the city centre every half hour.
