Trieste: Italy's Mediterranean crossroads of history, food and natural beauty

Rich in history and on the doorstop of Slovenia and Croatia, this Italian city is worth more than a brief stopover

The gardens of Miremare Castle, Italy

Summiting a medieval hillscape overlooking Trieste city centre, St Justus Cathedral is a composite of clashing centuries mashed together, like Italy itself, to present as a coherent whole.

It was originally two separate churches dating back to the sixth century, only the 14th century witnessed their merger into this unlikeliest of cathedral outfits.