Castello di San Giusto

About the museum

The San Giusto hill was already home to a castelliere (prehistoric fortified hilltop settlement) in the Bronze and Iron Ages, from which the settlement of Tergeste developed. In the 2nd century BC the Romans placed the centre of their camp here; at the foot of the castle the remains of the civil basilica of AD 133 and of the forum are still visible.

The history of the castle proper begins in 1468, when Emperor Frederick III ordered the construction of the Casa del Capitano, a fortified house with a tower on top of the hill, to control the city after Trieste’s submission to Austria in 1382. Between 1508 and 1509, during a brief Venetian rule, the idea of a triangular fortress with three bastions was launched; the first of these is the Bastione Rotondo or Veneto.

Today the castle houses the Civico Museo del Castello di San Giusto with the Armeria (armoury) in the Casa del Capitano, the Lapidario Tergestino, the Sala Caprin and the Chapel of St George. The route also includes the Cortile delle Milizie, the patrol walkways and the bastions with views of the city and the gulf.

Highlights

• Armoury in the Casa del Capitano
• Lapidario Tergestino
• Sala Caprin and Chapel of St George
• Patrol walkways and panoramic bastions
• Bar Bastione with panoramic terrace

Permanent exhibitions

• Civico Museo del Castello di San Giusto – Armeria – Route through the Casa del Capitano with its 15th-century rooms, covered walkways with the armoury, Sala Caprin and Chapel of St George.
• Lapidario Tergestino – Collection of Roman inscriptions and carved stones housed in the castle.

Operated by

Comune di Trieste – Musei Civici

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of each month and on 3 November (Santo Patrono).

The ticket covers the circuit of the walls and bastions, the Civico Museo del Castello di San Giusto-Armeria, the Lapidario Tergestino and the temporary exhibitions in the Bastione Fiorito. Free admission also for licensed tour guides, interpreters, journalists and holders of the FVG Card. To claim reductions or free admission, the document entitling you to them must be shown.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ordinary entrance involves a very steep climb with irregular historic paving; access by lift from viale della Rimembranza is recommended (call +39 040 309 362 to have it opened for you). On request, at least 4 days in advance, a person with disabilities can reach the entrance by car. The ticket office has a side ramp, the Cortile delle Milizie has no changes of level, and the Bastione Fiorito can be reached by lift. The Armoury and the Lapidario Tergestino have changes of level with no equipment. Reserved spaces in piazza della Cattedrale and viale della Rimembranza; accessible toilets in the Cortile delle Milizie and the Bastione Fiorito.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Access by lift from viale della Rimembranza.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Bar Bastione is open every day during museum hours; the bookshop is on the ground floor, in front of the ticket office.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit