“Pozzo del Mare” a name that echoes through Trieste’s streets. Via Pozzo del Mare gets its name from a 15th-century term. The Statutes of Trieste of 1421 mention “puteum maris”. This refers to a well that existed until the 18th century. It stood at the corner of Via Punta del Forno and the now-gone Piazzetta Pozzo del Mare.
The name of the street came from the water’s quality. The water from this well was slightly salty because it was close to the sea.
Now let’s step back in time to 1931. During restoration work on the Colle di San Giusto a Roman well was found. The well is several meters deep. Inscribed on a manhole cover is “Pozzo romano rinvenuto nel 1931 – XI E.F.”
Imagine the excitement of the archaeologists. They unearthed a lacrimatoio inside the well. This is a glass or precious material ampoule. It once held unguents or perfumes from the Roman era. This find hints at the Pozzo’s ancient past.
Some old stories say this Pozzo was a secret medieval passage. But the lacrimatoio suggests a Roman origin. The well’s true purpose remains a mystery blending fact and legend.
The Colle di San Giusto itself is rich in history. The hill has been Trieste’s historical landmark since Roman times. Remains of a forensic basilica are in front of the castle. The hill offers views of the city and the sea.
Trieste is a city of unique beauty. Its location between nations, the Karst Plateau and the Adriatic Sea makes it special. Historical events have shaped its culture and architecture. Roman ruins and Austro-Hungarian palaces coexist here. Trieste shows a mix of neoclassical eclectic and Art Nouveau styles.
The Pozzo is linked to Trieste’s story. Trieste’s history began as a small town in pre-Roman times. It became a city after Roman conquest in the 2nd century BC. The Romans called it Tergeste.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire Trieste changed hands. It was part of the Kingdom of Italy ruled by Odoacer. Then it was ruled by Theodoric the Great. Justinian I occupied it and made it a military colony of the Byzantine Empire. The Lombards destroyed it.
Trieste became a free municipality in 1295. It then sought protection from the Duke of Austria in 1382. This led to Trieste becoming part of the Habsburg Empire.
In 1719 Charles VI made Trieste a free port. This helped Trieste grow. It became one of the main European ports. Maria Theresa of Austria invested in the city. Trieste’s population grew. Immigrants came from the Adriatic basin continental Europe and the Balkans.
Trieste was occupied by Napoleon’s troops three times. It later returned to the Habsburgs. The railroad to Vienna opened in 1857. Trieste became the state capital of the Austrian Littoral region.
The Pozzo offers a glimpse into Trieste’s past. It connects to the city’s Roman roots. It reminds us of the stories and legends.