WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK  - 24-26 April 2009

MUSEUMS The following website gives details of all museums in Trieste and the surrounding region: http://www.museifriuliveneziagiulia.it/ www.turismo.fvg.it

To mark the ‘Settimana della Cultura’ (Culture Week), entrance to the Museo Revoltella in via Diaz is free until Sunday.  Open from 10-18 (closed Tuesdays).

EXHIBITIONS: Multimedia exhibition at the Immaginario Scientifico in Grignano entitled "Tempi e Stratempi" exploring meteorological phenomena is open until 14 June every Sunday from 10-20.  More info on http://www.immaginarioscientifico.it/ and 040-224424.

New exhibition in the Sala Rosa dei Venti at Miramare Castle entitled “Uno sguardo su Venezia, Canaletto a Miramare”.  Open daily until 2 August from 9-18:30. More info on 040 224143.

The historic ‘Caffè Stella Polare’ (piazza Sant’Antonio in Trieste) is hosting an exhibition of works by the Ugandan artist Medie Mulindwa inspired by native legends and traditions. On display during the opening hours of the café until 4 May.

Exhibition in the Linea d’Arte gallery (via Lazzaretto Vecchio, 19 in Trieste) of watercolours by Bruno Tommasini.  Open until 16 May Mon-Fri 17-20, Sat 10-13. 

Until 10 May, in the Sala ‘Attilio Selva’ in Palazzo Gopcevich (via Rossini 4, alongside the Ponterosso Canal in Trieste), you can visit the photographic exhibition of George Tatge entitled “Presenze. Paesaggi italiani”, a collection of black and white scenes from around Italy.  Open daily from 9-19.  Free entrance.

Exhibition at the Municipio (town hall) in Sgonico (take bus 46 from Piazza Oberdan), entitled ‘Bosnia Erzegovina uno sguardo al futuro’ with photographs by the journalist & writer Erica Mattea Vida and the poet Ljubia Selic of their travels throughout the former Yugoslavian Republic is open until 7 May Mon-Fri 9-13 and Mon & Wed 15-17.  Entrance is free, but donations are welcome for a charity in Sarajevo which takes care of war orphans.

To mark Darwin Day”, the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin, Trieste’s Aquarium (molo Pescheria, 2 on the waterfront) has prepared a special exhibition of “Nature anomale” (nature’s anomalies).  Open daily from 9-13. Closed Mondays.  Entrance costs 4.50 euro for adults and 3 euro for children over the age of 5 and young people up to the age of 20.  The ticket is also valid for entrance to the rest of the aquarium’s exhibits.

EATING OUT Two restaurants in Trieste have just made special offers for ICTP badge-holders:  The American Bar pizzeria and restaurant (riva T. Gulli 4, Tel: 040-301065 – 347-3239157) offers a 10% discount upon presentation of your badge.  The Pepenero Pepebianco restaurant (via Rittmeyer 14/a 040-7600716) offers a free coffee at the end of your meal.  You can check out their wide range of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes on their website www.pepeneropepebianco.it.  They also speak English.

MUSIC
Friday 24 April –
Libreria bar KNULP (via Madonna del Mare 7/a) at 20:45, jazz concert by the Trio MNP.

Friday 24 April – at the Lee Roy in via Paduina, 9, a jazz-blues concert by Tillamook at 21:00.

On Sunday 26 April at 18:30 in the church in San Giacomo, there will be a concert by the Soul Diesis choir organized by the Junior Chamber in aid of the young people of Abruzzo hit by the recent earthquake. 

On Sunday 26 April at 11 in the Auditorium of Duino Castle, there will be a concert by the two pairs of pianists and violinists, who are currently studying at the School of the Trio di Trieste.  They will perform  music by Brahms and Schubert.  Free entrance.  An aperitif will be served after the performance.

CINEMA and FILM CLUBSCinecity, Shopping Centre Torri d’Europa, Via D'Alviano 23. Bus 29, 8 and B. Check the movies at http://trieste.cinecity.it/. Earphones are available so you can listen to the original language for some films; please ask before buying your ticket.

TOURS IN TRIESTE AND SURROUNDINGSGuided Tour on foot of Trieste’s historical monuments (in Italian and English) at 10:00 each Saturday and Sunday.
The tour lasts 2 hours and costs Euro 5,00 (children under 12 go free).  Advance booking is necessary, please call the Tourist Bureau in Piazza Unità. Tel. 040-3478312. Email: info@turismo.fvg.it

The Carsiana Botanical Garden in Sgonico is re-opening after its winter closure on Saturday 25 April.  Opening times will be from Tuesday-Friday 10-13, Saturday, Sunday and holidays 10-13 and 15-19. Closed Mondays.  This weekend, there will be guided tours at 16 and 17 both days of the spring vegetation. Entrance costs 3 Euro, 2 Euro for children.  More info on www.carsiana.eu or 040-229573.  You can get to the Carsiana by bus: take the 42 from Piazza Oberdan up to Prosecco, and then the 46 to Sgonico.

Grotta Gigante – Giant Cave: The cave is considered the largest tourist cave in the world.  It is situated on the Triestine Karst (Carso), about half an hour from the city centre. Visits to the cave itself take place every hour from 10-18.  Take bus 42 from Piazza Oberdan and get off at Borgo Grotta Sgonico.  It takes 5 mins on foot, following the signs, to reach the cave. Entrance costs Euro 8.50 per person, and Euro 4.50 for a group of 15.  More info online: www.grottagigante.it.

Muggia
The boat linking Trieste with Muggia, a charming Istro-Venetian fishing village, runs all year. You get a great view of Trieste from the sea.  Catch the boat from Molo Pescheria on the seafront in the centre of Trieste, near Piazza Unita’.  Check schedules on www.triestetrasporti.it, under ‘servizi marittimi’. A return ticket costs Euro 6.35.  If you prefer to go by road, bus 20 from the railway station takes you all the way to the centre of Muggia.  You can get information on Muggia here: www.muggia.info

All weekend in Gorizia there will be the Gran Festa di Primavera in the streets of the Borgo Castello close to the Castle.  Starting at 15:30 on Saturday 25 April, there will be a medieval market, falconry display, various demonstrations of ancient weaponry and a live performance of the Carmina Burana at 20:30 on Saturday. Get the full programme here:  http://goriziaoggi.typepad.com/gorizia_oggi/2009/04/torna-la-gran-festa-di-primavera.html You can reach Gorizia easily by train from Trieste. If you go by car, you can park in piazza S. Antonio and take the shuttle bus which will be running on Saturday from 15-21 and Sunday from 10:30-19:30.  This weekend, there is also the ExpoMega Fair in Gorizia daily from 10:30-20:30.  Free entrance.

CASTLES
Miramare Castle
is very close to the ICTP and is open every day from 9:00 to 19:00. The last time for entrance to tour the castle is at 18:30. Entrance ticket to the Castle costs Euro 4.00 (Euro 2.00 up to 25 years).  The park surrounding the castle is open from 8:00-19:00.  For more info: www.castello-miramare.it

Duino Castle is considered one of the most attractive castles in Europe and is still the official residence of the Torre e Tasso royal family.  From its cliff-top location it overlooks the small fishing village of Duino, and it is surrounded by extensive gardens.  Inside you can see the furnishings, pictures, books and mementoes collected over centuries.  In the grounds you can visit a World War 2 bunker. New exhibition “L’Imperatore a Duino”, of  more than 300 items about Emperor Franz Josef is on display until 8 November 2009.  Take bus nr. 51 (the airport bus) or bus 44 (city bus 44 from Piazza Oberdan) to the centre of Duino, right outside the castle.  Opening times of the castle are daily from 9:30-17:30. Closed Tuesday. Entrance ticket to the castle Euro 4.50 for ICTP badge holders.  Children up to 6 do not pay, from 7-16 years Euro 3.50, full price Euro 7.  To arrange a guided tour phone: 040 208120. For more info: www.castellodiduino.it / info@castellodiduino.it

San Giusto Castle, take bus nr. 24 from the railway station.  Built between 1470 and 1630, the castle rises up from the hill in the heart of the old city. You can enjoy a full view of Trieste, visit the museum, the armoury and the lapidario tergestino. Outside the castle walls lies the cathedral built in the 14th century and in the surroundings, the remains of the ancient Roman city dating back to the first and second century. Until 3 May, there is an exhibition which focuses on life in Trieste during the Middle Ages. Visiting times: 9:00–19:00. Check the following website for a comprehensive list of opening times and entrance prices: http://www.retecivica.trieste.it/triestecultura/new/musei.asp?pagina=musei_storia  This weekend, at 11 and 15 on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April, there will be a free guided tour of the exhibition (in Italian) by Giorgio Potocco.  Entrance is free on the occasion of the Settimana della Cultura (Culture Week).

Useful Websites: Restaurants in Trieste: http://www.vivalapappa.it/ristoranti/elenco.php/provincia=Trieste
Bus schedules in Trieste: www.triestetrasporti.it
Train timetables: www.trenitalia.it
Map itinerary: www.mappy.it
Ticket purchase for concerts in and out of Trieste: “Ticket Point” in Corso Italia 6/c tel: 040.3498277
Buses for trips outside Trieste: www.autostazionetrieste.it