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Situated between the white limestone plateau and the blue waters of the Adriatic, TRIEST has an idyllic scenery even according to Italian criteria. The Romans took the city in 178 r. p.n.e. and they called them Tergeste, but at least traces of their presence can be seen throughout the city (e.g.. in the form of a theater near Corso Italia or an arch in Piazza Barbacan), Most of all, the modernity of Trieste is striking. Except for the castle and the cathedral of San Giusto, the whole history of the city before the 19th century. seems distant and indistinct next to massive neoclassical architecture and the lofty baroque borgo teresiano - that's the name of the city center after Empress Maria Theresa (1740-80), which was the initiator of its expansion.
Trieste was built mainly thanks to Austrian capital, to serve as a southern port of the Habsburg Empire, but a short period of heyday ended in 1918 r., when the city passed into the hands of Italy and it appeared, that despite their good intentions, the Italians are unable to exploit it economically. For sixty years the city has been in stagnation and is only now discovering a new role for itself. Computerized companies are springing up everywhere, maritime trade passes through the container port in the south of the city, and the quays of the old port function as car parks.
Location on the border of the Latin and Slavic world makes, that Trieste has long been a city of political extremes. In the last century, it was the cradle of the irredentismo - the Italian nationalist movement to take the lands of Trentino from Trieste from Austrians. After 1918 r. tensions rose, which resulted in a strong fascist presence in Friuli. The dispute over Trieste lasted until 1954 r., when the city returned to Italy with the coastal section connecting it to the country, although it was not until 1975 r. Tito has kept the Istrian peninsula, from which the terrified Italian population emigrated en masse - for example from Fiume (River) has left 58 000 on 60 000 Italians. The neo-fascist party MSI has always enjoyed great support here, and there is even an anti-Slavic party. List for Trieste, whose popularity is rapidly declining, but she continues to spread sensations about "Slavic provocations" and other threats to Italian culture. However, nationalism provoked opposing reactions and there is a strong socialist tradition among intellectuals in Trieste.
Drive, information and accommodation
Coaches from Trieste airport will take you to the station in Piazza Liberta, located right next to the main train station. AAST's office is located in Castello di San Giusto (pn.-sb. 9.00-13.00 i 16.00-19.00), but an office at the station (same opening hours) it is equally helpful and informative. Students can get timetables and advice from the CTS, student travel agency at Piazza Dalmazia 3b (pn.-pt. 9.00-12.30 i 16.00-19.00, sb. 9.00-12.00).
The cheapest of the good hotels is Julia, via XXX October 5 (040/68247), Marina, via Galati 14 (» 040/61168), Center, via Rome 13 (040/64408) i Yenezia, via Genoa 23 (» 040/68480), in all two, approx 28 000 L. More exclusively, you can spend the night in the stylish Hotel al Teatro, Head of Piazza G. Bartoli 1 (040/64123), where the price will be from 50000 L up.
Women and married couples can spend the night cheaply at Casa Famiglia Mater Dei, at Guardiella's walk 8 (* 040/54332), monastery, where you can stay briefly.
Youth hostel, 8 km outside the city on viale Miramare 331 (bus no 6 or no 36), closed recently for renovation - information at the tourist office.
The closest campsite is in Obelisco (040/211655), next to the bus route no 4 i tramia (see Surroundings of Trieste). You can easily reach Pian del Grisa camp site in CONTOVELLO (» 040/213142); more distant are Alle Rose (* 040/299457) and Mare Pineta (040/299264) w SISTIANA, but they have excellent views. There is also a campsite in AURISINA CAVE (* 040/200459).