Trieste

We spent the day yesterday riding trains from Poggiebonsi to Florence to Venice to Trieste.  All travel went as planned.

Today we met our fellow travelers - Jim & Susan (CA), Becky & Phil (MN), Larry & Pam (KY), Nancy (CO), Nadia (NY) and Greta (OR).

Our first outing is a tour of the city. Trieste was once ruled by the Romans, the the Hapsburg of Austria then during WWI and WWII by the Allied forces until 1954 when it was fully given over to Italy.  The United Italia Square is surrounded by government buildings, our hotel and shops with a view to the Adriatic Sea. Near the head of the square is a large fountain dedicated to the 4 continents - Africa, Europe, Asia and American.  At the time it was created they didn’t know about the other continents.  The Grand Canal runs from the sea to a church and was once used by ships to carry cargo into the city.

We strolled through the former Jewish Ghetto that is home today to only 600 Jews but was occupied by over 6000 during the war.  Italians were kinder to them than in most places as they were allowed to leave during the day but not at night.  Only the political prisoners were killed.

When some of the ghetto building were torn down they discovered a Roman gate and part of the original walls and a Roman theatre from the 1st century. Medieval homes had been built against most of the walls.

San Guisto Hill is where several ancient churches were built.  The one at the top of the hill, San Giusto Martire Basilica was once two churches that were then connected. Following mass we were able to go inside to view the sparkling frescoed beautiful alter area.

After lunch we walked along the ridge overlooking the Trieste Bay on what is called the Napoleonica Strada or road that was opened by Napoleon’s troops in 1797.  Today it is a nice paved road used by many walkers, runners and bicycles.