A MUSICAL CASTLE
We’d checked the distance and the castle seemed achievable from our hotel. Well, Lorraine thought she could walk it, though I had my doubts if she’d survive the climb. Along the flats in the middle of town it was easy but then there came the hill and a statue of Carlo Michelstaedter, a radical Italian philosopher of Jewish extraction whose one and only work was conceived as an undergraduate thesis, but he never saw it in print because he committed suicide in 1910, aged 23.
We troll past a shop with exotic foodstuffs and can’t help but notice some bottled Buderim ginger featured in the window. Just below it was another sign on some wrapped lollies “senza zucchero zenzero AUSTRALIA”, which meant I could buy my sugar free dried ginger right here. It’s a small world.
It was slow and overly warm getting up from there but we took it easy and Castello di Gorizia came into view. Dating back to the 11th century it’s clearly the highest point for miles around.
The chapel-sized Church of Santo Spirito seems like a ticket office on the way to the main attraction. In a park on the opposite side of the road there’s a bust of Gabrielle D’Annunzio, a famous and prolific Italian writer and WWI hero who was hugely influential in the Fascist movement, inspiring Mussolini. He was noted for self-promotion.
From the 11th century Gorizia was an independent county until Austria took over in 1500 and it became a major cultural centre. It was only after the fallout from WWI, when it suffered badly, that it came to be in Italian hands. This once castle-of-the-counts has now been done up as a tourist attraction but it holds a surprise, at least for those of us who hadn’t done their homework properly.
The solid walls are much covered in plant life these days and the parapets are quite impressive from below and when you enter through the gateways the cobblestone walkways add an air of authenticity as you climb their steep angle. Only the base is original though. It went through many rebuilds from the 13th to 16th century and was bombed during WWI before being restored for the final time. The restoration is evident in the variance of the colours in the stonework.

Province of Gorizia Holiday Rentals

Change your mind
Book hotels with free cancellation
Treat yourself
Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
Sign in
Be picky
Search almost a million properties worldwide

Featured Province of Gorizia Holiday Rentals

Hotiday Grado Marina

Grado

Christina

HK$491 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Dec - 19 Dec

Villa Fiorita

Monfalcone

"We arrived very early but Leah allowed us to check in immediately and she opened the dining area in case we were hungry. She spent a long time on her phone arranging transportation for us for very early the next morning. The building is old, but the rooms were more than adequate and the beds were comfortable. The outdoor veranda was a perfect spot to enjoy wine and cheese from a nearby grocery store."

Deborah

Collio Suite

Cormons

HK$3,240 total

includes taxes & fees

24 Dec - 25 Dec

Trieste 411 (Rooms & Apartments)

Trieste City Centre

Michael

In-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Oriana Homèl Udine

Udine

Corey

Affittacamere Berzi

Trieste City Centre

Katharine

Le Terrazze

Trieste City Centre

Jeanne

Indoor pool, outdoor pool, pool loungers

Apartmaji Salinera

Piran

Amanda

HK$962 total

includes taxes & fees

24 Dec - 25 Dec

Residenza Le 6 A

Trieste City Centre

theresa

HK$993 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Dec - 19 Dec

Locanda alle Beccherie

Trieste City Centre

Jorge

HK$605 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Dec - 18 Dec

Urbanauts Studios Minelli

Trieste City Centre

Analejandra

DA NOI A TRIESTE

Trieste City Centre

Maureen

HK$885 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Dec - 24 Dec

Theodosius forest village Vipava

Vipava

Georgel

HK$2,155 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Dec - 24 Dec

Full-sized fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Orienty Home Pentacoro

Trieste City Centre

Gary

HK$571 total

includes taxes & fees

10 Dec - 11 Dec

Wellba Homestead Planina

Ajdovšcina

Sarah

HK$920 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Dec - 12 Dec

Apartments Old Town Izola

Izola

HK$908 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Dec - 10 Dec

Premium bedding, down duvets, in-room safe, individually furnished

Residence San Giusto

Barriera Vecchia-San Giacomo

Chloe

HK$743 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Dec - 15 Dec

Luxury Sea House Star Line-Portorož

Piran

HK$2,711 total

includes taxes & fees

10 Dec - 11 Dec

Piazza Venezia Le Camere

Trieste City Centre

Barry

Apartments Portéa - NEW 2025

Izola

Tom

HK$888 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Dec - 16 Dec

View all properties

Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in

Top Province of Gorizia Hotel Reviews

Savoia Excelsior Palace Trieste – Starhotels Collezione

10/10 Excellent

"Excellent location. Walking distance to train station. Public bus stop very close to hotel. Staff was excellent. Concierge was extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. Many nearby dining options."