Cattedrale di San Giusto (Trieste Cathedral), Trieste

Cattedrale di San Giusto (Trieste Cathedral), Trieste (must see)

The first Christian edifice, on the Cathedral of Saint Justus (Cattedrale di San Giusto) site, was built in the 6th century. Before that, a Capitoline Temple was here. A pyramidal altar with symbols of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, Roman gods, has been uncovered inside it. The temple had a propylaeum, an entrance gateway to the spiritual realm.

The Christian church used parts of the earlier pagan temple, including the propylaeum. The original remains of the mosaic floor were integrated into the present-day floor, which contains elements of the outer walls of the previous structure. Shortly after the church was opened, it was destroyed by invading Lombards.

Sometime between the 9th and 11th centuries, two basilicas were built over the remains of the first church. Our Lady of the Assumption was joined to Saint Justus in the 14th century by demolishing the facing naves of each building and attaching a slightly asymmetrical Romanesque facade. An elegant Gothic rose window adorns the exterior.

The stolid-looking bell tower absorbed the Roman propylaeum. The bell tower niche contains a 14th-century sculpture of Saint Justus. He is holding the palm of martyrdom and a model of the city under his protection. The interior has one nave and four aisles. The two apses are finished with fine Byzantine-Ravenna mosaics.

The chapel of Saint Charles Borromeo holds nine tombs of Carlist claimants to the Spanish throne. The Chapel of the Treasure has the reliquary urn of Saint Justus, the Crucifix, and the halberd of Saint Sergius. Some say the weapon fell from the sky when St Sergius was martyred.

Artworks within the cathedral include 12th-century mosaics in the apses dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption and Christ, Saints Justus, and Servolus. The medieval churchyard holds the small 14th-century Church of St John on one side and St Michael on the other.

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Cattedrale di San Giusto (Trieste Cathedral) on Map

Sight Name: Cattedrale di San Giusto (Trieste Cathedral)
Sight Location: Trieste, Italy (See walking tours in Trieste)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Trieste, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Trieste

Create Your Own Walk in Trieste

Creating your own self-guided walk in Trieste is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Trieste Introduction Walking Tour

Trieste Introduction Walking Tour

Sub-tropical Trieste lies on a bit of land between the Adriatic Sea and Slovenia. Savannas, forests, and karstic areas of sinkholes and caves surround the coastline. It is a deep-water port and a major gateway to northern Italy. It is called "Vienna by the Sea" by some or "City of Coffee" by others.

The ancient Veneti tribes called the town "Tergeste," which means...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Trieste's Ancient Roman Sites Walking Tour

Trieste's Ancient Roman Sites Walking Tour

The Roman remains on Trieste extend along the northwestern slope of San Giusto Hill, overlooking the Gulf of Trieste. Wharves of sandstone slabs dating from the 1st century AD were found by the Roman Theatre. The city walls, ordered by Augustus, were converted to use as terraces.

The Propylaeum of the 1st century AD was the gateway to the sacred area of the Capitoline Temple. There are two...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles