Here are some more views of Trieste. Being on the border between Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, Trieste has had a chequered past to say the least - ruled by Venice, Austria, France (Napoleon) Austria again, and now Italy. It definitely has a more northern feel than Tuscany, and Slavic languages and German are frequently overheard. The Austrian heritage has given Trieste a culture of good coffee and cakes!
For Brits, there is James Joyce, who lived for ten years in Trieste, completing Dubliners there, and making a start on Ulysses ...
Trieste has a famous uphill tram system which takes visitors uphill to the village of Opicina. Unfortunately, after a hundred years of service, the service ceased just last year, so we made our way by bus to Opicina, and the Strada Napoleonica - a clifftop roadway commenced, but never completed, to allow Napoleon more efficient transport links. It makes for a nice walk with panoramic views of Trieste and the Adriatic below. It was sunny and warm when we were there, but a sea haze obscured the view - not like the clear air of Barga!
An added diversion for us was the buzz of preparation surrounding a road race sponsored by Alfa Romeo which took over the main square - the Piazza dell'Unita - while we were there.
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| James Joyce and Bill head to the bar ... |
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| Simple fare - liver and polenta - it was very good! |
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| Morning view of the main square from our window |
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| The red carpets give a surreal touch to "the largest piazza in Italy" |
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| Reflections on Trieste - the only canal in the city |
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| Not the only cakes in the city ... |
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| The ill-fated tram (note vintage model hiding in shed) |
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| Natural colours on the way to "Napoleon's Road" |
Shame about the tram. Had no idea James Joyce wrote the Dubliners there. A warmer climate, better food, but some of the difference might have made it harder to conjure up Dublin.
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