by InTrieste
On Monday morning, Italy’s Piazza Unità d’Italia, the sprawling square in the heart of Trieste, hosted a solemn ceremony in honor of National Unity and Armed Forces Day, a tribute to the nation’s commitment to peace and the sacrifices of those in uniform.
Beneath a light November sky, soldiers raised the Italian tricolor high over the square, with city officials and onlookers gathering to witness the morning’s Alzabandiera — the solemn flag-raising ceremony. Trieste’s Mayor Roberto Dipiazza stood alongside regional dignitaries in a moment of reflection and unity, a reminder of Italy’s complex history and the shared values that bridge its past and present.
At 5:00 p.m., the flag will be lowered in a second ceremonial gesture, closing the day’s commemorative events in Trieste. Across Friuli Venezia Giulia, residents participated in similar ceremonies, with a particularly moving service held at the Redipuglia Military Memorial, one of Italy’s largest war memorials. The banner of the city of Trieste was present at the memorial, symbolizing the city’s solidarity with those lost in service.
Looking beyond today’s events, Tuesday will also mark a remembrance ceremony for a lesser-known chapter in Trieste’s post-war history. Monsignor Roberto Rosa will officiate an annual mass at the Church of Sant’Antonio Nuovo, held in memory of those who perished in the November 1953 events, a tragic incident during the turbulent period following World War II. After the mass, the National League, in coordination with the Municipality of Trieste, will place a laurel wreath at the church’s portico in honor of the fallen. Mayor Dipiazza is expected to attend, bringing Trieste’s government closer to its people in a shared act of remembrance.
These events serve as an emotional bridge between Italy’s past and present, reinforcing the nation’s sense of unity and honoring the resilience that has carried it through decades of history. For Trieste, in particular, the ceremonies offer a moment to reflect on its unique role in Italy’s story—a city of crossroads and complexities that holds steadfast to its traditions while looking ahead.
