THE ADEIATIC PEOVINCES. 



59 



we again find ourselves amongst fertile fields, and within sight of towns and 

 villages. Gorizia (Gorz, 15,300 inhabitants), the principal town of this district, 

 in its sheltered vale, deserves to be called the Austrian Nice, for its climate is 

 delightful, and it is as famous for flowers, fruits, and early vegetables as its French 

 prototype. Lower clown on the Isonzo is Gradisca, with an old castle. 



No other port of Istria or Dalmatia can aspire to rival Trieste. Capo cris/ria 

 (7,539 inhabitants), the old Venetian capital of Istria, still looks defiance ; but 

 its walls are too wide now for its population, and its commerce has gone. Pirano 

 (7,691 inhabitants), on a bold promontory, has productive salt marshes and a 

 famous port (Porto Glorioso), capable of sheltering large vessels. Parenzo (2,471 



Fig. 37.— FiUME. 

 Scale 1 : 25,000. 



j- F of I .r.^ 



DEPTH IN FEET 



CO- I M 



Half a Mile. 



inhabitants), where the Istrian Diet has met since 1861, abounds in Roman 

 ruins, and boasts of a famous Byzantine cathedral, dating back to the sixth 

 century. Near it are valuable quarries. Pisino (Pazin, 2,909 inhabitants), in 

 the centre of Istria, near a vast sink 190 feet in depth, is an important market 

 town. 



Rorigno (9,564 inhabitants) lies in the midst of olive plantations, and exports 

 much oil. As a place of commerce it is more important than Pola (16,743 

 inhabitants), so famous on account of the ruins of the Eoman city of Pietas Julia. 

 Not twenty years ago Pola was merely a poor village. It is now the great 

 naval station of the Austrian Empire, its fine port and dockyards being defended 

 by numerous forts and batteries. 



