Explore highlights of Trieste on a private 3-hour walking tour

Probably dating from the 1st century AD, the Arch of Riccardo, in the heart of old Trieste, is a Roman gate in the ancient walls of Tergeste that were built by Augustus in 33 BC. Various origins have been attributed to the name Riccardo. Some recall legendary events like the passage of Charlemagne or Richard the Lionheart into this city, while other, perhaps more reliable, sources suggest a derivation of the term "Cardo", the Latin name of one of the two main axes around which Roman towns were built, the other being the Decumanus.

Realized between 1754 and 1766 by Matteo Pirona, the Canal Grande was a key element of the new urban plan that led to the construction of Borgo Teresiano. Located in the heart of the historic old town, not far from the Piazza Unita, the Grand Canal is a small waterway that has stood to allow boats direct access into the city to unload their cargo. Approximately 200m in length, the canal stretched from the Riva Tre Novembre to the Via S. Spiridione and ends at the Piazza Sant’Antonio Nuovo and the Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Taumaturgo. This pleasant waterway is crossed by three bridges and has numerous boats moored at each side.

When it comes to Trieste landmarks, the Castello di San Giusto is hard to miss. I mean, it’s literally on a hill visible throughout the city. Even though its history is frankly uneventful, who can pass the chance to visit a castle? Built by the Austrians to protect the city from the Venetians, it never saw any real action. But that’s good I guess because it means that this 15th-century castle has survived well intact. A few euros will let you inside, where you’ll find some museum exhibits, but more importantly city views. The castle walls are where the best views of Trieste are at.

Trieste Cathedral (Basilica cattedrale di San Giusto Martire), dedicated to Saint Justus, is a Roman Catholic cathedral and the main church of Trieste, in northern Italy. It is the seat of the Bishop of Trieste. The first religious edifice on the site was built in the 6th century on some Roman propylaea, using part of the existing structure. Perhaps the entrance to a monument, this was commonly known as the Capitoline Temple, as a pyramidal altar with the symbols of the Capitoline Triad (Jupiter, Juno and Minerva) had been found inside it. Of the hall there remains part of the mosaic floor, integrated into the present-day floor, which contains markings of the outer walls of the early Christian building. Soon after it was opened for worship, the church was destroyed in the Lombard invasion.

Molo Audace, formerly Molo San Carlo, is a place dear to the hearts of Trieste's inhabitants. This walkway extending about 200 metres out to sea is a magical place for a stroll and a breath of fresh air at any time of day and in any season, a place of enchanting autumnal sunsets, when the buildings on the shores are tinged with red. If you fancy a real challenge you can run to the wind-rose at its far end, and try to remain standing against the Bora winds of up to 100 km/h! The pier was built between 1743 and 1751 on the wreck of the San Carlo, a ship that sank in the harbour. Originally 95 metres long and connected to land by a small wooden bridge, the pier has been gradually lengthened and now measures 246 metres.

Located next to the Piazza Unita Italia, the Piazza dell Borsa is a great place to take in the local life and enjoy an excellent meal. During the 19th century, this square actually served as the city’s economic center and the chamber of commerce building is actually located at the far end and features a beautiful columned entrance with an ornate marble pediment. Triangular in shape, at the end closest to the Piazza Unita, there are several restaurants and shops, whilst in the middle is a decorative statue of the sea god Neptune. Markets and small fairs are sometimes held here and it is a great place for shopping and mingling.

This colossal square lies at the forefront of the historic old town and faces out towards the Adriatic Sea. Due to its immense size, the Piazza Unita Italia is known as the largest square situated next to the sea in Europe. Several prestigious and important buildings line the square including the Town Hall, the Palazzo del Lloyd Triestino, the Palazzo del Governo and the Palazzo Pitteri – Each of which features a stunning design and beautiful architecture. Aside from the buildings, there is also several impressive monuments and statues placed at various intervals in the square – In particular, the two iron sculptured columns that frame the entrance of the Piazza.

The Church was built between 1861 and 1869, on the basis of a project by Lombard architect Carlo Maciachini, on the site of a previous temple built in 1753 and demolished in 1861 because it had been declared unsafe. It can host 1600 believers. The building features a Greek-cross plan. It displays the same Byzantine style as Eastern churches and is characterized by a central dome, which is higher than the four bell towers. It also presents semi-spherical grey-blue caps and wide mosaic decorations on the façades drawn by Milanese artists Giuseppe and Pompeo Bertini. The structure is covered in stone from Karst and Istria quarries, as well as Carrara and Verona marbles.

Trieste is the city and capital of Friuli-Venezia Giulia regione and of Trieste Provincia, northeastern Italy, located on the Gulf of Trieste at the northeastern corner of the Adriatic Sea 90 miles (145 km) east of Venice. It was under Roman control by about 177 BC; Julius Caesar made it a colony and recorded its name as Tergeste in his Commentarii de Bello Gallico (The Gallic War), written in 52–51 BC. Augustus ordered the construction of a harbor and city walls in about 33 BC. After the breakup of the Roman Empire, Trieste shared the general fortunes of Istria and was granted independence under its count-bishops in 948 by Lothar II, king of Italy. Captured by the Venetians in 1202, it constantly agitated for autonomy, placing itself in 1382 under the protection of Leopold III of Habsburg, whose overlordship gradually developed into Austrian possession.

The port and harbour of Trieste are truly impressive. Practically the entire coastline next to Trieste is occupied by either the public harbour or the commercial shipping operations – These two parts of the city offer some truly fantastic and interesting sights. Near the Piazza Venezia is the main harbour and this area is filled with beautiful yachts, sailing boats and fishing boats. Furthermore, the port area on the southwestern section of the coast offers a great insight into how a busy shipping operation works – You can see large cargo ships entering the docks and being offloaded.

Trieste has a long history and everywhere in the city, there are various pieces of bygone eras. One such relic is the Roman Amphitheatre that is located on the Via del Teatro Romano In the center of the historic old town and only a stone’s throw from the Piazza Unita Italia. This ancient structure is in a fantastic condition and the original seating and stage area is still visible together with various columns and walls. Original statues from the theatre are now on display at one of the local museums but some are still visible at the sight. When walking through the city of Trieste, this theatre is a must-see and is a fine example of Roman architecture.

Designed by architect Giuseppe Bruni, Trieste's City Hall was built between 1873 and 1875 on the site previously occupied by the Magistrate's Palace and the Loggia with a bell tower, for use by the city council with a gallery for the public. The eclectic style facade gives the building a monumental grandeur, forming a beautiful scenic backdrop of a stage, open to the sea. The clock tower rises from the central section with two bronze Moors (sculpted by Franco Asteo and replaced by copies in 1972) that locals call "Michez and Jachez striking the hours". The two wings, somewhat simpler, complete the building in a tight game of fornices and chiaroscuro.