The Karst, a unique territory because of its nature and history, is a rocky, calcareous plateau which stretches alongside the eastern border of Friuli Venezia Giulia, from Gorizia to Istria and Trieste. It features a particular landscape made of shallow depressions called dolinas, caves, tracks dug in the rock by rain and wind and vertical cliffs over the Adriatic Sea. It's definitely a must-go venue for the nature lovers.
Walking through the Karst is a rewarding experience, full of interesting aspects like the Alpine vegetion which becomes Mediterranean within few kilometres, or amazing sights such as the Grotta Gigante (Giant Grotto) and the mysterious Timavo river. Equally fascinating is the culture, and the traditional customs where Latin, Germanic and Slavonic heritages mix. And the small villages, keepers of typical products and ancient fairs.
When talking about the Karst, one can't avoid mentioning the ideal capital of Central Europe, set like a gem beween its gulf and the hills: Trieste.
It's the region's capital and boasts a great artistic, historic and cultural heritage: ancient palaces, cute hidden corners, and cafes where Literature heavyweights like Italo Svevo, James Joyce or Umberto Saba used to hang out.
Included in the Austro-Hungarian empire, the city was a free port in the XVIII century, thus becoming a commercial and cultural crossroad between the Mediterranean, Germanic and Balcanic areas. This pacific coexistence ceased at the end of the XIX century with the rise of nationalism and irredentism.
This would be one of the reasons that led the Kingdom of Italy into war against the Austro-Hungarian Empire: Trieste became at the same time the symbol and the aim of the Italian campaign (even though the powerful defensive line Trstelj-Mount Ermada made impossible any attack to the city itself).
