Piazza Unita d'Italia, Trieste

Piazza Unita d'Italia, Trieste

Piazza Unita d'Italia is the main square in the heart of Trieste, spanning from the foothill of the San Giusto to the Adriatic Sea.

Piazza Unita d'Italia is the main square in the heart of Trieste, spanning from the foothill of the San Giusto to the Adriatic Sea. Originally known as the Piazza San Pietro from the name of an existing church, it was known as Piazza Grande during the Austro-Hungarian Empire when it was developed as a symbol of the city's maritime power. It was named Piazza Unità after 1918 when the city was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy.

The highlight of the Piazza Unita is the Fontana dei Quattro Continenti, sculpted in 1751-'54 by Giovanni Battista Mazzoleni. Four allegorical statues represent the continents of Europe, Asia, Africa and America, with 4 water streams depicting the main rivers. On the top is a winged female figure with open arms representing Trieste. Nestled on the rocks of the Karst, the statue is surrounded by parcels, bales of cotton and cordage. The sea-facing side of the square has 2 flagpoles, donated in 1932 by the soldiers of the First World War. Around the square are various historically important buildings.

• Palazzo del Governo or Government House is the seat of the Offices of the Regional Commisariat for Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Prefecture of Trieste. Built on the site of the Palazzo della Luogotenenza Austriaca (House of the Austrian Lieutenant) in 1905, the structure was designed by Emil Artmann. The 2 lower levels of the façade are made from white ashlar stone, while the upper 2 levels feature Murano glass mosaics depicting the Austro-Hungarian imperial coat of arms (black eagle with two heads on a gold background) and the members of the imperial house.
• The Stratti Palace, built in 1839 to Antonio Buttazzoni's designs, houses the Caffè degli Specchi. On the top of the building, a sculptural group depicts Trieste with allegories of luck and progress. A short passage between the Government House and the Stratti Palace leads to the Opera Giuseppe Verdi and the Tergesteo Gallery.
• The Palazzo Modello from 1871 houses the offices of municipal company AcegasApsAmga.
• The City Hall was built in 1873-'75 to designs by Giuseppe Bruni, and features two bronze automata Michez and Jachez which ring out at the stroke of the hours.
• The Pitteri Palace, built in 1780 by architect Ulderico Moro, is the oldest building around Piazza Unità.
• The Grand Hotel Duchi d'Aosta and the Palazzo del Lloyd Triestino which is the seat of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia are the other buildings around the square.