58 



AUSTRIA-HUNGAEY. 



a poor village, but a Byzantine cathedral and Homan ruins recall the time of 

 its splendour. 



Trieste (119,174 inhabitants) is an ancient city too, but its importance dates 

 hardly farther back than the beginning of the century. It is now the great 

 commercial emjjorium of the Austrian Empire, and its growth has been rapid 

 ever since a railway has connected it Avith the valley of the Danube, and with all 

 Germany. The old city is built upon the slojDes of a hill crowned by a castle ; 

 the new quarters occupy a level space between the steep walls of the Carso and 

 the sea, which has been encroached upon to gain sites for warehouses and for docks. 

 The roadstead is open, and a breakwater now constructing is progressing but 



Fig. 36.— PoLA. 

 Scale 1 : 85,000, 



ADRIATIC 



ll» 28 E Ot Pans 



13°Ka'E. or&r 



2 Miles. 



slowly, owing to the weakness of its foundations. The lighthouse pier, instead 

 of protecting the old port, has accelerated its silting up. But, in sjjite of these 

 drawbacks, Trieste far surpasses Venice in commercial activity,* though it cannot 

 compare with its rival in architectural splendour. In this respect Trieste is 

 certainly behind many an Italian city far less populous. There are, however, a 

 rich museum of antiquities and a valuable library. 



The belt of verdure surrounding Trieste is of small extent, and a short distance 

 to the north of it the barren spurs of the Carso descend to the sea. Once past 

 Miramar, a villa delightfully situated upon a promontory, we could hardly 

 imagine being so near a populous city, if its vicinity Avere not betrayed by 

 numerous vessels of all descriptions. Only after having crossed the Timavo do 



* In 1876 15,679 vessels, of 1,970,000 tons Imrden, entered and cleared. The imports were valued at 

 £21,811,680, the exports at £19,328,100. The building yards of the Austrian Lloyd are at Muggia. Tlio 

 company possesses 68 steamers. 



