by InTrieste
photo credits: Steven Jewett
Under a gray October sky, the people of Trieste gathered in the iconic Piazza Unità d’Italia to celebrate a defining moment in their city’s history: the 70th anniversary of Trieste’s return to Italy. The city, known for its unique place at the crossroads of Europe, echoed with applause, music, and the roar of Italy’s national aerobatic team, the “Frecce Tricolori,” as Trieste commemorated its journey from contested territory to symbol of unity.
Events began early, with locals and visitors alike filling the piazza, the largest seaside square in Europe, to witness the ceremonial flag-raising. As Italy’s colors were hoisted against a brilliant sky, the crowd paid homage to those years of uncertainty and struggle that marked Trieste’s complex post-war history. Accompanying the military presence and traditional banners were Trieste’s local heritage groups and veterans’ associations, underscoring the city’s connection to both national and regional history.
Central to the day’s observances was the moving sight of the Fanfara dei Bersaglieri band, whose powerful renditions reverberated through the square. As the Bersaglieri—the renowned infantry corps known for their musical performances—played, spectators young and old stood together in reflection, honoring the resilience of the city through the Cold War, a time when Trieste was on the edge of conflicting ideologies and divided by borders.
The celebrations took on a distinctly personal tone as speakers evoked memories of October 26, 1954, when Italian troops entered Trieste, ending years of political uncertainty and restoring Italian sovereignty to a city that had long felt suspended between nations. Today’s Trieste stands as a testimony to its multicultural roots and its critical role as a bridge between Italy and the Balkans, celebrated not only by Italians but also by residents with Slavic, Austrian, and other European backgrounds.
The afternoon brought another highlight in the form of the commemorative Rome-Trieste Relay, organized by the San Giacomo Sports Group and the Municipality of Trieste. The event retraced the journey made by athletes carrying a torch from Rome to Trieste in 2004, marking the city’s significance within the Italian peninsula. After a wreath-laying ceremony at the Redipuglia War Memorial and a series of stops at monuments in neighboring municipalities, the torch finally reached Trieste’s Central Station in the late afternoon. From there, athletes ran the final stretch to Piazza Unità, where the cauldron was lit—a powerful symbol of endurance and continuity across generations.
In closing, the crowd reconvened in the piazza for the traditional flag-lowering and a final performance by the Bersaglieri band, which marked the end of the day’s formal observances. As Trieste illuminated the night, the city looked back on its history with a resilient pride—a city marked by its position on the edge of worlds yet firmly part of Italy’s soul.
