As is well known, Trieste is a symbol of the Great War in Italy. During the months of neutrality, its name (just like that of Trento) was pronounced in all the irredentist events which wanted the Kingdom of Italy to join the war. They claimed the Italianity of the city, which for centuries had been administered by the Austro-Hungarian empire and had transformed it into one of the main European ports.
Because of this strategic role, the city had to be defended from an eventual Italian advance, both by land and sea. To control the upper Adriatic, the so-called Coastal Trench was built, an impressive defensive barricade that from Duino (in the northern part of the Gulf of Trieste) descended to Cittanova (today the Croatian Novigrad, in the northern part of the Istrian peninsula ), following the progress of the plateau and taking advantage of the unique characteristics of the Karst land.
A SECTION OF THE COASTAL TRENCH PARK BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE. BEHIND THE WALL, THE GROUND QUICKLY DESCENDS FOLLOWING THE SHAPE OF THE KARST EDGE REACHING THE SEA IN JUST A FEW KILOMETRES.
Some sections of this barricade are still visible today in Park 40, an itinerary of the Great War created in the summer of 2017 near the Marian Shrine of Mount Grisa , situated in Contovello (Trieste).
It is a very easy itinerary and it allows you not only to discover a part of the history of the Great War but also to enjoy great views on clear days, of the gulf and part of the city. To visit it simply, reach the Shrine car park and then continue on foot along the paved road named after Robert Baden-Powell. After a few metres on the right, you will find the totem with the QR-code (which can be found at every stage just like in Park 97 of Prosecco) indicating the entrance to the Park. A path among the vegetation leads to the first stretch of the trench in about 10 minutes. A little further along the second stretch of the trench is visible, also along the (unnumbered) path which characterizes this part of the park.
The walk continues leaving behind the Shrine, on a plateau that was most likely once an old road (well before the construction of the famous Vicentina or Napoleonic road that is situated a few metres below). After about 400 metres there is a new path (to the left) that leads to a wide forest road that will bring you directly to the next two stages the walkway with access opening and a new part of the trench with a defensive post. You then continue for a few more metres until reaching another small brief path on the left that continues uphill and meets path CAI 12. Then turn left again onto this last path and you reach the last stage at the highest point of the Park: here you can see another fortified post of the trench and all around, other proof of the era such as two underground posts and one connecting trench. At this point, you take path CAI 12 again that with a slight slope leads back down to the paved road at the beginning. Turn left and after about 500 metres you reach the starting point.
THE TOTEM WITH THE QRCODE TO OBTAIN THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ITINERARY WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET.
