“Saved by a vow,” the old Triestine whispered, his eyes fixed on the Cerkev Marijinega Vnebovzetja. “That’s what they say about this church.” High on the Karst Plateau, the Cerkev Marijinega Vnebovzetja, known also as the Temple of Monte Grisa, dominates the skyline above Barcola and Miramare Castle. Its triangular structure, a striking “M” for Mary, is visible for miles. This National Shrine of Mary Mother and Queen wasn’t always here. It arose from the ashes of World War II, a testament to a desperate plea. Bishop Antonio Santin, witnessing the brutal clashes between Nazis and the Italian resistance in 1945, made a vow. If Trieste was spared from destruction, he would build a church. Trieste survived, battered but not broken. True to his word, Santin began his mission. Gaining Pope John XXIII’s blessing in 1959, he envisioned a pilgrimage church. It would be a beacon of peace and unity, dedicated to the Holy Mary. The first stone was laid that same year. Professor Antonio Guacci, working from Santin’s sketches, designed the distinctive triangular form. The construction, from 1963 to 1965, was a testament to the city’s resilience. The Cerkev Marijinega Vnebovzetja was inaugurated in 1966. Even Pope John Paul II made a pilgrimage to this remarkable sanctuary. The concrete structure, however, faced its own battles against the elements, requiring restoration in 2010. But the church stands tall, a symbol of hope born from a desperate vow, watching over Trieste.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to