Castello di San Giusto (Castle of San Giusto), Trieste

The Castle of San Giusto (Castello di San Giusto) sits on the Hill of San Giusto, overlooking the city. By 1382, Trieste was exhausted by the never-ending battles with the Venetians. In 1381, they signed an act with Leopold III of Austria aptly called the "Spontaneous Surrender to Austria." The city would be independent under an Austrian Imperial Captain.

In 1468, Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor, ordered the construction of a fortress to protect the town and provide accommodation for its Captain. Frederick had ruthlessly sacked the city driving out the persistent Venetians. He also made the fourth restoration of the city walls, just in time to avoid another sacking by the Ottomans in 1470.

The fortress can be entered by crossing a small drawbridge. At the entrance are several escutcheons and military banners of patrician families of the city. A left corridor leads to the old defensive firing positions. The right-hand passage accesses the weapons museum and the guardhouse.

A staircase leads to the vast terrace and the parade ground. There are stands in the courtyard offering spectacular views of the city below. Visitors are permitted in the Captain's House, the San Giorgio Chapel, and the luxurious Venetian Room (Sala Veneta). The weapons collection dates from the 12th century.

At the entrance are the two original statues of "Micheze" and "Jacheze," the two bronze Moors who once marked the hours on the Town Hall clock tower.