Cappella di Sant’Andrea

Ruins whisper tales of faith. This is the site of the Cappella di Sant’Andrea. This small chapel had a long and eventful history. Its first mention dates back to 1115. Documents show it surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The area was known as Riviera Sant’Andrea. Sadly the original chapel was destroyed in 1338. The Francol family rebuilt it. They consecrated the new Cappella di Sant’Andrea in 1643. Relics of Saints Lazarus Servolo and Christopher were placed in the altar. A Tuesday after Easter mass was a beloved tradition for Triestine faithful. Emperor Joseph II suppressed the chapel in 1784. The bell and furnishings went to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The building was auctioned off. By 1808 it became a renowned osteria. It was known as the Osteria alla Rotonda. This was due to its location near a carriage roundabout. The osteria served excellent Istrian wine and oysters. An additional building served as a cellar. The Cappella di Sant’Andrea changed hands many times. It eventually became a storage space for farm tools. On November 23 1920 the Stabilimento tecnico triestino bought the building. They demolished it the following year. A cooling tower for the Fabbrica Macchine replaced it. The remains of the original chapel were discovered during the demolition. Engineer Piero Zampieri’s surveys revealed the original structure. The chapel measured 6.32 meters wide and 11.85 meters deep. It had a small bell gable. A semi-circular apse had loopholes. These were bricked up when the chapel became an osteria. Other arched windows ran along the sides. When it became an osteria the interior was divided. A second floor was added for the innkeeper. Part of the osteria’s sign was still visible on the facade and left wall. The Cappella di Sant’Andrea may be gone but its story echoes in the stones of Trieste. Its legacy endures in the memories of the people.