Italy: Trieste

 Trieste has a long history, starting from being a Roman town to an independent city-state to a major port of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for 6 centuries. Italy took control of Trieste after WWI, Germany occupied it in WWII, it was under Allied administration post war until 1954, when it was given back to Italy. Hence, the city is quite different from a typical Italian, with all the grand Hapsburg architecture, proximity to Slovenia and being a cultural melting pot. Piazza Unità d’Italia is Europe’s largest seafront square, surrounded by grand 19th-century buildings like the Palazzo del Municipio and Palazzo Stratti. A bit further is the Roman Theater from the 1st century AD. Further up the hill is Trieste Cathedral and San Gusto Castle, offering panoramic views out to the Adriatic Sea.