A sentinel of stone stands before us. This is the Lanterna of Trieste. It marks the entry to the city’s old port. Built in 1833, the Lanterna was designed by Matteo Pertsch. Carlo Zinzendorf, the city’s governor, commissioned it.
The Lanterna’s story is one of changing roles. For years it guided ships safely. Its light shone brightly. In 1927, the Faro della Vittoria was built. It sits atop the Poggio di Gretta. The Lanterna’s importance diminished. It was deactivated as a lighthouse on November 25, 1969. Today, the Naval Hydrographic Institute lists it as inactive.
Yet, the Lanterna di Trieste remains. It is more than just a former lighthouse. Since 1992, it has housed the Trieste section of the Italian Naval League. The Lanterna serves another interesting purpose. It is the logo for Theresianer beer. This Austro-Hungarian brand was founded in Trieste.
Imagine the Lanterna in its prime. Its architecture is both functional and defensive. The optical group rests on a cylindrical stone column. This column rises from a crenelated Maximilian tower. It has two tiers of embrasures. The Lanterna once helped defend the port. Its foundations rest on what was once the Zucco rock.
Consider the view from the top of the Lanterna. It is 33.5 meters high. Its light once reached 12 nautical miles. From here, you could see ships arriving from afar. The Lanterna was a welcome sight for sailors. It meant they were nearing Trieste.
Now, observe the details of the stone. Feel the age in its texture. The Lanterna has witnessed so much. It has seen Trieste transform over centuries. It has endured wars and peace. It has stood tall through changing times.
The Lanterna’s history is intertwined with Trieste’s own. Trieste was once under Austrian rule. The Lanterna stands near the Molo Fratelli Bandiera. Nearby is a unique beach called Lanterna or Pedocin. It is divided by gender.
There is a tall wall that separates men and women on the beach. The beach predates the lighthouse. Some say the name “Pedocin” relates to soldiers delousing themselves there. Others say it comes from mussel farming or clothes pegs.
Regardless, the Lanterna oversees it all. It watches the city’s life unfold. It has become a symbol of Trieste itself. As we stand here, we sense its enduring presence. The Lanterna di Trieste is a testament to history. It is a beacon of the past, still guiding us today.