Top Rated Attractions in Trieste

The Grotta Fioravante has garnered public interest thanks to its rich history. Archaeological excavations have unearthed artifacts which are can be dated back to the Mesolithic period. Later, the cave was also used as a cellar by the royal family and afterwards in the 20th century, it also bore witness to the World Wars. During the Second World War, the cave was used as a waste deposit by the allied forces.

This is not simply a piazza, but the very heart of Trieste: its lounge, its soul, its business center, as well as the commercial and political center. Very busy of course during the week , it plays an important role on Sunday mornings when thousands of people descend on this large European piazza that overlooks the sea. Here, they drink coffee, meet friends, colleagues and acquaintances, all in a very unique atmosphere. The piazza also accommodates many concerts, festivals, shows and exhibitions. Shaped in a perfect rectangle and surrounded by amazing palaces: the Municipio with its clock tower; the Stratti, housing General Insurance and also the Caffè degli Specchi and the Palazzo del Lloyd Trestino, which once housed the oldest Italian navigation company. Finally there is also the Prefettura or government palace and the lovely Art Nouveau building that houses the fine Duca d'Aosta hotel. And at the piazza's center stands the 18th'century Quattro Continenti fountain, the former terminal of the Maria Teresa d'Austria aqueduct. It would be a grave sin to visit Trieste and not have a coffee in this lovely piazza.

The Jewish community of Trieste has a long established cultural tradition. Throughout the Centuries, many of the most famous cultural exponents of the city came from the Jewish community. This small, but important museum traces their history and their work. The collection is made up of ritual objects, silver and materials. Guided visits out of hours are possible on request.

The Riserva Naturale della Val Rosandra is an evocative corner of the Kras Plateau above Trieste. It is just 20 minutes away from the city center going towards Muggia, and is the destination of tourists, spelunkers, and mountain climbers, every weekend. It is located in the San Dorligo della Valle administrative area and is a real natural paradise with a spectacular landscape of cliffs, piles of rocks, and rocky walls overhanging the torrent which crosses through the valley. The wild and rough aspect of some sites in the valley have given rise to numerous local legends about the mysterious princess Rosandra, or even, Charlemagne. The locals say that a walk in this valley frees your mind and reinforces the body. Who knows? What is certain is that it is a place full of charm. There are all sorts of things to discover in the valley. You could spend a whole day walking here, perhaps stopping for a picnic by the river or eating at the Mario Premuda refuge.

The first section of the Civico Museo di Storia Naturale includes material which is open for public display and there is also a section reserved for students and specialists. The botanic collection has around 30 herbs and other material from the region and the rest of the country. There is a large zoological section, with an entire room devoted to coral and mother pearl. There is also marine life, amphibians and reptiles from all over the world and a section for marine mammals called "Giants of the Sea." In addition, there is a rich paleontological and mineral collection, with the reptile Carsosaurus as one of the oldest fossils and some remains of a carnivorous dinosaur found in Duino, between Carso and the sea. There is also an area dedicated to prehistoric man and human anatomy, with a man's brain from Mompaderno being of particular interest.

The Servola district is perhaps the most distinctive area in Trieste. It has enchanting narrow streets and an old world atmosphere. It is fame is due to the carnival parade that passes through here as well as its history and unique traditions. This small museum is the place to see the habits and characteristics of the people of the area, through documents, ornaments, furnishings, photos and prints. A lovely, successful place.