Trieste's Ancient Roman Sites Walking Tour (Self Guided), Trieste

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 colonnaded structures flanking a staircase and leading to a tunnel to the Lapidary Garden (Orto Lapidario). The civil Basilica on the left of the Propylaeum had three naves.

The Tergestino Lapidary in the 16th century Lalio Bastion of the San Giusto Castle houses monuments from the Roman Basilica, Forum, and Propylaeum. Shown are religious items dedicated to Jove, Cybele, Silvanus, Hercules, and Minerva.

The Roman Theatre, city walls, and the necropolis yielded altars, steles, urns, and sarcophagi with names. One room has mosaics from a 1st-century BC villa. There are items from the 6th century AD.

The Donata Antiquarium is attached to Donata Tower. Exhibits here were taken from the Roman Theatre. Behind the Theatre were a residential area and a cemetery. The theatre stone seats could hold 3,500 people. The stage was made of wood. Doors, columns, and sculptures taken from the Theatre are on exhibit at the Tergestino Lapidary in the San Giusto Castle.

The Richard's Arch (Arco Ricardo) in the Piazza Barbacan dates from the 1st century AD. The arch is simple and solid, decorated with pilasters and vegetable motifs. The Antiquarium in Seminary Street (Antiquarium via del Seminario) holds a long portion of the old city walls. The walls were made with two-facing sandstone blocks filled with rubble and lime.

An archeological zone in an ancient residential section holding fine mosaics and frescoes is reserved for further excavation. There's more to come.