The best city hikes and walks around Sežana

In the television series "Classics of World Literature," Tilman Spengler presents a diverse range of writers and authors to culturally interested viewers in short segments (available only in German). These authors represent many eras and cultures. One of the figures he honors with an episode is the Irish-born James Joyce (1882–1941). These writers represent many eras and cultures. Anyone wanting to learn more about James Joyce's life and work (e.g., "Dubliners" and "Ulysses") in just a quarter of an hour simply needs to follow this link to the ARD Mediathek: =>> https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/klassiker-der-weltliteratur/james-joyce/ard-alpha/Y3JpZDovL2JyLmRlL3ZpZGVvL2I2Y2Q1MzkyLWQ2Y2YtNDJjZi05MjllLWM2MGQ2MTRiZTlkMQ

The Fontana dei Quattro Continenti in Trieste's Piazza Unità d'Italia is a Baroque masterpiece and a symbol of the city's cosmopolitan identity in the 18th century. 🗺️ Symbolism & History Origin: Created between 1751 and 1754 by the sculptor Giovanni Battista Mazzoleni to celebrate Trieste's rise to a free-trading city under Maria Theresa. Name: The "Four Continents" – Europe, Asia, Africa, and America – symbolize the global reach of trade that Trieste conducted as a port city. Australia was not yet known as a continent at the time. Location: Originally located in the center of the piazza, the fountain was removed in 1938 to make way for a political stage and was only restored and returned in the 1970s. 🧜‍♂️ Artistic Details Allegorical Figures: Europe with a horse and symbols of power and knowledge. Asia with a camel and exotic goods. Africa with a lion. America with an alligator and feathered headdress. Trieste as the central figure: A winged female figure enthrones the ensemble, resting on the karst cliffs, surrounded by bales, barrels, and ropes – a symbol of the cosmopolitan, welcoming city. Water Sources: Dolphins and river gods spew water into conch shells – a baroque interplay of movement and symbolism

Monument to Giuseppe Verdi – Piazza San Giovanni First version (1906): Unveiled on January 27, 1906, exactly five years after Verdi's death. At that time, Trieste was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Carrara marble statue was created by the sculptor Alessandro Laforêt. Destruction & Symbolism: The original statue was destroyed in 1915 by pro-Austrian forces – not because of Verdi's music, but because of the inscription "VERDI," which was considered a patriotic acronym for "Vittorio Emanuele Re D'Italia." A subtle act of Italian national pride in the heart of Habsburg territory. Re-enactment (1926): After the First World War and the incorporation of Trieste into Italy, the statue was re-erected – this time in bronze, cast from captured Austrian cannons. A triumphant statement that blends art and history. Current condition: The statue underwent extensive restoration in 2024 – including cleaning, a protective varnish, and a layer of wax for preservation. The inscriptions were made legible again, and the monument now shines in renewed splendor. Location: Piazza San Giovanni, behind the Church of Sant'Antonio Taumaturgo, at the end of the Grand Canal – a location that fits perfectly into a cultural and historical itinerary through Trieste.

Parenzana is a nice route, I recommend it

Writer 1863-1938

The statue of Monsignor Antonio Santin, the long-time Bishop of Trieste and Capodistria, has stood prominently in Piazza Sant'Antonio Nuovo since March 2023 – directly in front of the church of the same name at the end of the Grand Canal. It pays tribute to a man who guided Trieste through some of the most difficult chapters of the 20th century and created a spiritual landmark with the Santuario di Monte Grisa. 🕰️ Who was Antonio Santin? Born: 1895 in Rovinj (then Austria-Hungary) Bishop of Trieste & Capodistria: 1938–1975 Committed to peace and unity: Speaked out against fascist racial laws Advocated for Jews and refugees Experienced the occupation by the Nazis and later Yugoslavia Vow in 1945: If Trieste were spared from the war, he would build a church – this led to the creation of the Santuario Nazionale a Maria Madre e Regina on Monte Grisa 🗿 The Statue Location: Piazza Sant'Antonio Nuovo, corner of Via Nicolò Paganini Material: Bronze Size: Life-size (approx. 1.72 m) Artist: Albano Poli, Italian sculptor Design: Santin in liturgical clothing, with a blessing gesture – dignified yet approachable The Statue was donated by an anonymous benefactor and commissioned by the Diocese of Trieste. It complements the monument at the entrance to Monte Grisa and the relief at the Cathedral of San Giusto.

The bronze statue of James Joyce stands in the middle of the Ponte Rosso, the small bridge over the Grand Canal in Trieste – a silent salute to the famous Irish writer, who lived in the city for over a decade and wrote some of his most important works there. 🕰️ Background Erected: 2004 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Joyce's arrival in Trieste Artist: Nino Spagnoli, a sculptor from Ravenna Material: Bronze Pose: Joyce walks across the bridge, wearing a coat and hat, his head slightly tilted—as if he had just left a café 📍 Location Ponte Rosso, directly on the Grand Canal, in the heart of Borgo Teresiano Surrounded by historic palazzi, the flower market, and the Fontana del Giovannin In the immediate vicinity: the Maria Theresa Mint, the Caffè Stella Polare, and Via San Nicolò, where Joyce taught 📚 Literary Connection James Joyce lived in Trieste between 1904 and 1920, taught English at the Berlitz School, and wrote here: Parts of Ulysses

🧒💧 Fontana del Giovannin del Ponterosso – The Little Putto in the Heart of Trieste The Fontana del Giovannin del Ponterosso is a lovingly designed fountain in Trieste's Piazza del Ponterosso – right on the Grand Canal. It's not just a decorative element, but a piece of living city history, interwoven with market life, folk culture, and Baroque symbolism. 🕰️ Historical Background Built: 1753 by Giovanni Mazzoleni, the architect of the famous Fontana dei Quattro Continenti Water Source: The water originally came from the Aquedotto di San Giovanni, which supplied the Borgo Teresiano Sculpture: In the second half of the 18th century, Giovanni Carlo Wagner created the statue of a putto (little angel), affectionately called "Giovannin" 🎨 Design & Symbolism The putto sits on a conch shell supported by telamons (male support figures) The water originally flowed from the mouths of the telamons, over smaller shells, into the large basin The fountain is richly decorated with Baroque details – masks, columns, shells 🧺 In the past, the fountain was decorated with flowers by the market's flower sellers on the feast day of St. John (San Giovanni) – a custom dedicated to the putto gave it its name 📍 Location & Atmosphere Location: Piazza del Ponterosso, directly on the Ponte Rosso and the Grand Canal Surrounded by market stalls, cafés, and historic palazzi – a lively meeting place In the immediate vicinity: the James Joyce Statue, the Palazzo Gopcevich, and the Maria Theresa Thaler