Faro della Vittoria
The belvedere over the Gulf of Trieste
About this place
“Shine and remember those who fell at sea MCMXV – MCMXVIII” is the epigraph at the base of the Victory Lighthouse in Trieste, which, in addition to its own function as a guide for vessels, is a monument honoring those who fell at sea during World War I. Costing 5,265,000 liras, it is 67.85 meters high and houses a lantern placed 115 meters above sea level, visible 40 kilometers away. The lighthouse reopened its doors to the public in March 2024 and can be visited free of charge.
Why visit it
01.
The panorama
Stepping out of the lighthouse elevator, one cannot help but be amazed at the 360-degree view of the entire city of Trieste and the Gulf. On clear days the view reaches as far as Croatia on one side and the Alps on the other.
02.
History
The Victory Lighthouse was inaugurated in 1927, in the presence of King Victor Emmanuel III. Raised on the ruins of the Austrian Kressich Fort, it had the dual function of guiding sailors and celebrating the passage of Trieste to the Kingdom of Italy.
03.
Free to visit
The impressive national monument is managed by the Navy, which, in agreement with the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, has agreed to open it to the public and, as of March 30, 2024, it can be visited freely.
The external elements
The elements that make up the monument have a strong allegorical and commemorative value:
- Above the dome of the lantern towers Winged Victory, with torch and laurel column;
- At the base of the column is the figure of the Unknown Sailor by sculptor John Mayer, 8.60 meters high and made of 100 tons of stone from Vrsar;
- Affixed below the statue is theAnchor of the destroyer Audace, the first Italian ship to enter Trieste harbor on November 3, 1918;
- In theEpigraph on the base of the statue can be read D’Annunzio’s phrase “Shine and remember the fallen on the sea.”
Also, on either side of the lighthouse’s entrance door are two shells that belonged to the Austro-Hungarian battleship Viribus Unitis, which was sunk by Italian Navy forces at Pula in 1918.
The winged statue
The statue of the sailor
The anchor
The epigraph
The tour of the lighthouse
LIGHTHOUSE APPROACH
Along the Friuli Road, which leads from Trieste to the hamlet of Prosecco, is the Victory Lighthouse. The entrance to the monument is easily reached by car, parking along the street below, or via bus routes 42 and 44. Entering through the pedestrian gate, continue on a paved path slightly uphill to the Lighthouse.
HOW TO GET TO THE TOP
The monumental part of the lighthouse includes a visitable viewing terrace. By regulation, the maximum number of visitors simultaneously present must not exceed 15 people. To climb to the terrace there are two alternatives:
- Stairs: 232 steps;
- Elevator: in one minute takes you to the floor.
The apex area of the lighthouse, i.e., the crystal and bronze cage with the lantern and electrical system, cannot be visited.
COMMITMENT AND DURATION
Visiting the lighthouse is easy and without technical difficulties. The path leading from the pedestrian gate to the entrance of the facility is paved and has a slight incline. The travel time is 5 minutes. An elevator is available to reach the terrace.
The complete tour of the monument with approach and terrace visit takes about half an hour.
The view of the Gulf of Trieste
An extraordinary 360-degree panoramic view can be enjoyed from the Lighthouse viewing terrace. The view can sweep over Trieste and the Gulf and follow the Istrian coast to Croatia. The view of Miramare Castle from above is also exceptional.
Opening hours and information
HOW TO GET THERE.
The Victory Lighthouse is located in Trieste at 141 Strada del Friuli Street. The monument has no parking, but it is possible to leave your car along the road, in front of the entrance gate, at the height of “Trattoria Al Faro.” From here a gentle uphill walk leads in a few minutes to the facility. The lighthouse can also be reached by bus from Trieste on routes 42 and 44.
SERVICES
The facility has an elevator for climbing to the top. Entrance to wheelchair users is limited to the ground floor due to the small size of the elevator.
DAYS AND TIMES
The lighthouse can be visited in April, May, June and September on Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; in July and August from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; in October on Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; from October 9 to 13, during the Barcolana, continuously from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Nov. 1 to 4 p.m. continuously from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; March 30 and 31, April 1 and 25, May 1, and Aug. 15 continuously from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Entry to the Lighthouse is allowed until 30 minutes before closing.
COSTS
Admission is free.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, there is an ancient stone staircase, in excellent state of maintenance, that from Via del Perarolo, in the Barcola district, goes up to Via San Bortolo, in the vicinity of the Victory Lighthouse. On foot is the shortest route from the lighthouse to the Barcola pine forest.
Visitation for wheelchair users is limited to the lower floor due to the small size of the elevator.
Yes, the lighthouse can be reached via bus routes 42 and 44 from Oberdan Square in Trieste.
Contact
Through this section you can contact the Victory Lighthouse information center directly. Explorer FVG does not handle responses, nor is it responsible for the information exchanged in these conversations.
For information:
Victory Lighthouse
Friuli Road, 141
34136 Trieste (TS)
Manager: Autonomous Region FVG
Send an email
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