Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy near the border of Slovenia. It is the capital and largest city of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.
Trieste is located at the head of the Gulf of Trieste, on a narrow strip of Italian territory lying between the Adriatic Sea and Slovenia. Slovenia lies approximately 8 km (5 mi) east of Trieste, while the border of Croatia is about 30 km (19 mi) to the south of the city.
History of Trieste and its Seaport
Trieste belonged to the Habsburg monarchy from 1382 until 1918. In the 19th century, the monarchy was one of the Great Powers of Europe and Trieste was its most important seaport. As a prosperous trading hub in the Mediterranean, Trieste grew to become the fourth largest city of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after Vienna, Budapest, and Prague. At the turn of the 20th century, it emerged as an important hub for literature and music. Poet James Joyce took residency in the city until his death. Trieste underwent an economic revival during the 1930s, and the Free Territory of Trieste became a major site of the struggle between the Eastern and Western blocs after the World War II.
At the crossroads of East and West
Trieste, a deep-water port, is a maritime gateway for northern Italy, Germany, Austria and Central Europe. It is considered the end point of the maritime Silk Road, with its connections to the Suez Canal and Turkey.
In fact, this geographic proximity to both central Europe and the Balkans make the city a great starting point for venturing out to Eastern Europe. We had our own multi-day road trip to Slovenia and Croatia returning back to eastern Italy using Trieste as a base.
Since the 1960s, Trieste has emerged as a prominent research location in Europe because of its many international organizations and institutions. The city lies at the intersection of Latin, Slavic and Germanic cultures, where Central Europe meets the Mediterranean Sea, and is home to diverse ethnic groups and religious communities.
The Coffee Capital of Italy: Trieste’s Caffeinated Heritage
Trieste is known as Italy’s coffee capital. Its importance as a coffee port dates back to the 18th century when it served as the coffee gateway to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today, the city is home to a number of historic coffee houses, and it’s even the headquarters for Illycaffè, one of world’s famous espresso brands.
In Trieste, coffee is not just a beverage; it’s a culture. The city has its own unique coffee vocabulary; for example, ordering a ‘capo’ will get you a macchiato. Whether you sip your brew in an opulent café that evokes the grandeur of the Austro-Hungarian Empire or in a modern, artsy establishment, you’re partaking in a longstanding tradition that’s part of this city’s identity.
A Walk in Trieste
Watch the video clip below for a virtual tour of the beautiful city of Trieste, Italy by the Adriatic Sea.
All Around The World 