Trieste: A Charming City and a Futuristic Yacht

Trieste: Breathtaking Arrival Route

If you are going on vacation to Veneto from the Slovenian border, you pass through Trieste, one of the most impressive cities in Italy. The road to Trieste winds along cliffs above the sea. It is a magnificent sight. About 5 kilometers before the city, the white castle Miramare shines under the cliffs. It was built between 1856–1860 by Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Habsburg (brother of Emperor Franz Joseph) and stands on a rocky promontory surrounded by a vast park. The archduke was only 24 years old when he decided to build the castle for his love, Belgian Princess Charlotte, whom he later married and moved into the castle. Miramare and its surroundings appear as a jewel in the bay. From the terraces, there is a stunning view of the entire coast, and here begins the charm of Trieste, a city where the influences of Austria, Italy, and the Balkans are evident.

The City

Statue of Elisabeth of Bavaria (Sisi)

In front of the main train station, Trieste Centrale lies a small park, Piazza della Libertà. Its dominant feature is the statue of Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria (Sisi) by sculptor Franz Seifert. It was unveiled in 1912, removed after World War I, and reinstalled in 1997. Today it stands on a high pedestal amidst greenery, commemorating the beloved empress, who was often associated with the city and Miramare Castle, where she frequently stayed.

Old Port (Porto Vecchio)

Between the train station and the city centre lies an area with many large historic buildings, often in a very dilapidated state, yet they must have been of great importance in the past. For centuries, Trieste was the main port of Austria-Hungary and a key commercial hub of the entire monarchy. Porto Vecchio, the old port, which was built between 1868–1883, and was one of the most modern in the world, still reminds us of this. Warehouses, steam cranes, and railway sidings then formed the bustling heart of trade. Grain, coffee, coal, and wood from all over the world flowed here.

After World War II, however, the port lost its significance, and a large part of the area began to deteriorate. When you walk past the station towards the sea, you will see vast, partially dilapidated warehouses and huge industrial buildings that recall the former glory of the port. Today, however, Porto Vecchio is gradually changing. Some buildings are already coming to life, such as Magazzino 26, which now houses the Museum of the Sea. Other spaces are used for exhibitions, fairs, or cultural events, and there are plans for a complete transformation of the area into a modern district with university and research institutions.

The contrast between the elegant centre and the raw industrial landscape of the port is one of the things that make Trieste unique.

City Center

The heart of the city is Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia, a huge square open to the sea. On three sides, it is lined with monumental 19th-century palaces – Palazzo del Municipio with a clock tower, Palazzo del Lloyd Triestino, and Palazzo Pitteri. In the evening, when the palaces light up, the whole square looks like a stage set for the Vienna Opera right on the Adriatic.

Just a few steps away lies the Canal Grande, a canal built in the 18th century, which brought ships right into the city centre. At its end stands the church Sant’Antonio Nuovo (completed in 1849). Across the Ponte Rosso bridge is a bronze statue of James Joyce, unveiled in 2004. It commemorates the famous writer who lived and wrote in Trieste.

Above the centre rises the hill of San Giusto. At its top stands the cathedral of the same name, whose current form was created in the 14th century by merging two older churches. Inside, beautiful mosaics from the 12th–13th centuries have been preserved. Next to the cathedral is the San Giusto Castle, built between the 15th–17th centuries. Its walls offer a panoramic view of the entire city and port.

A short distance from the centre is also the Roman theatre (Teatro Romano) from the 1st century AD, which was uncovered during archaeological work in the 1930s. In the centre stands Teatro Verdi, a theatre opened in 1801, where operas and concerts are still performed today.

However, Trieste is also a city of cafes. Thanks to the coffee trade, a strong café tradition developed here. The most famous are Caffè degli Specchi (1839) on Piazza dell’Unità and Caffè San Marco (1914), a favorite spot for writers and students.

Futuristic Yacht in the Harbour

Whenever you look at the sea in Trieste, you will see a strange ship anchored near the harbour, which makes a very peculiar impression. It has been anchored in Trieste since 2022 and is called Sailing Yacht A. It is a futuristic silver yacht that cannot be mistaken for any other ship.

It is over 143 meters long and has three freestanding carbon masts almost 100 meters high. At first glance, it looks more like a military vessel than a luxury yacht. The grey-silver hull with sharp lines and minimal windows looks like a stealth cruiser and commands respect.

It originally belonged to Russian oligarch, businessman Andrey Melnichenko, founder of EuroChem and SUEK. However, in March 2022, it was seized by Italian authorities based on European sanctions and has been anchored in the port of Trieste ever since.

Such a large vessel cannot remain unattended, so Italy provides a minimal crew and technical maintenance of the engines, masts, and electronic systems. According to estimates, this costs millions of euros annually.

Nevertheless, the yacht remains a fascinating sight. It evokes various emotions – admiration, respect, and even confusion. However, certainly, the opportunity to see such a vessel does not come often for most of us.

Memory of Venice

When this unique yacht appeared in Venice in 2019, it immediately caused a stir. It was labelled as the largest sailing ship ever to enter Venetian waters, and its futuristic lines attracted the attention of the media and tourists.

Sailing Yacht A is a unique vessel. It is the largest sail-assisted motor yacht ever built. Its value is estimated at 600 million dollars (about 550 million euros). Although it is not the most expensive yacht in the world (that ranking is led by motor superyachts like Eclipse or Azzam), it undoubtedly ranks among the largest and most distinctive vessels ever built.

Sights and Attractions of Trieste in Brief

• Castello di Miramare – built 1856–1860, Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Habsburg, right by the sea.
• Porto Vecchio – built 1868–1883, Magazzino 26 now houses the Museum of the Sea.
• Statue of Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) – by Franz Seifert, unveiled in 1912, removed in 1921, reinstalled in 1997 in Piazza della Libertà park.
• Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia – the largest square in Europe open to the sea, with 19th-century palaces.
• Canal Grande – created in the 18th century (1750–1756), at the end of the church of Sant’Antonio Nuovo (completed 1849).
• Statue of James Joyce – bronze, unveiled in 2004 on Ponte Rosso.
• San Giusto Cathedral – current form from the 14th century, mosaics from the 12th–13th centuries.
• San Giusto Castle – built in the 15th–17th centuries, view of the city.
• Roman Theatre (Teatro Romano) – 1st century AD, uncovered in the 1930s.
• Teatro Verdi – opened 1801, architects Gian Antonio Selva and Matteo Pertsch.
• Caffè degli Specchi – established 1839.
• Caffè San Marco – opened in 1914.
• Sailing Yacht A – length 143 m, launched 2017, design by Philippe Starck, shipyard Nobiskrug, hybrid propulsion, 3 masts almost 100 m high, seized in the port of Trieste since 2022.