Things To Do In Trieste

For such a small city, Trieste has a whole host of activities on offer for its visitors. Whether you want to learn about local history, experience life in Roman times or simply wander round admiring the stunning architecture, Trieste has it all. Families are well catered for and there are many activities on hand to amuse children who are bored from a day’s sightseeing.

Arco di Riccardo

The Arco di Riccardo is an Augustan gate that was built in 33 AD. It is found among the Roman walls in Piazzetta Barbacan, which is in the Old Town. It is a very impressive gate, full of ornate detail and makes for a very good photograph. Tourists flock to the Old Town every day to get a look at this authentic Roman gate.

Lapidary Garden

This garden is home to many Roman and Medieval relics, all of which have been discovered in Trieste. When you visit, you will find a memorial dedicated to the archaeologist Giovanni Winckelmann, who died in Trieste in 1769.

Miramare Castle

Miramare Castle is the famous residence of Maximilian of Habsburg and his consort. The castle was built between 1856 and 1860 by Cari Junker and has been decorated with bright Istria stone. Inside the castle, you will find numerous works of art that clearly reflect the taste of the Vienna Court. The archduke took great pride in improving the castle and he designed the beautiful park which surrounds it.

Rare and exotic trees give the garden its unique character and are a tourist attraction in their own right. The castle became the headquarters of the Allies' military command in 1945, which gives the castle another character altogether. The area surrounding the castle is populated by many different species of sea organisms that exist in the Northern part of the Adriatic Sea. Because of this, Miramare Sea Park was created in 1973.

Roman Theatre

The Roman amphitheatre dates back to the 1st century AD and the walls surrounding it were built under Emperor Octavius’ orders. The theatre can be found at the foot of the San Giusto hill, facing the sea, and the statues that once adorned the theatre are now preserved at the Town Museum. It is a tribute to Roman architecture and is a fascinating insight into the lives of the Romans in Trieste. It is very easy to imagine yourself standing in the theatre in Roman times, about to watch a gladiator fight.

San Giusto Cathedral and Castle

This castle complex is home to much of Trieste’s culture and history. A walk along the castle’s defences allows you to have a stunning panoramic view across the entire city. Inside the castle’s grounds you will find a museum, the Church of San Giovanni, a WWI altar and a WWI commemorative park. The castle is an impressive sight to see and it is easy to imagine the castle being used to defend the city.

Victory Lighthouse (Il Faro della Vittoria)

The Victory Lighthouse is an impressive buiding designed by a local architect, Arduino Berlam, in the early 1900s. It was built by local sculptor Giovanni Mayer. The lighthouse has two very important functions; besides helping navigation by lighting the Gulf of Trieste, it also serves as a commemorative monument dedicated to the soldiers that lost their lives during WWI. It is topped by a copper statue of Victory, sculpted by Giovanni Mayer. Under this statue, you will find the anchor of the torpedo boat Audace. This was the first Italian ship that entered the port of Trieste on the 3rd November, 1918.

Museums

For such a small town, Trieste is home to many museums. There are many civic museums that can be found throughout the city including the History and Art Museum, Civic Castle Museum, Sartorio Civic Museum, the Morpurgo Civic Museum as well as the Civic Museum for War and Peace. All of these museums are maintained by the local government and are updated accordingly. If the civic museums aren’t enough for you, the Railway Museum features drawings, models and train engines housed in the former railhouse. You will also find a selection of horse-drawn trams. This will excite train-spotters as well as providing fascinating information to visitors.