by Guisela Chiarella
With Italy marking Republic Day this Monday, locals in Trieste took advantage of the holiday to enjoy a slower pace — but the city’s streets were anything but quiet.
In the heart of Ponterosso, the bustling open-air market buzzed with the sounds of several languages. Tourists fresh off a cruise ship made the most of their stopover, mingling with vendors and sampling regional delicacies.
Visitors hailed from across the globe — New Zealand, the United States, Canada, and even Turkey — wandering among stalls of handmade goods and seasonal produce under the Triestine sun. Many spoke of the city’s unexpected charm, its blend of Austro-Hungarian elegance and Mediterranean flair.
“We only have a few hours here, but it’s already one of our favorite stops,” said a traveler from Vancouver, admiring a stall of local cheeses.
While Republic Day is a moment of national reflection for Italians, in Trieste it also proved to be a vivid showcase of the city’s growing appeal as a cruise destination.
