Free Territory of Trieste

Trieste has historic ties to the United States, going back to when the city was part of the Free Territory of Trieste in the aftermath of World War II and was controlled as an independent state by British and American forces due to its strategic importance straddling the border between Italy and Yugoslavia.

An enormous “Welcome to the Free Territory of Trieste” sign in the center of town recalls that some here still believe the city was illegally annexed by Italy.

Deschi is involved in the Free Territory of Trieste movement, one of two rival Triestine separatist movements in the city.

Wieser and his companions, all members of the fringe Free Territory of Trieste movement, have a dream for their city.

For Deschi, the Free Territory of Trieste movement was a means to an end: the first step in preparing Trieste to become what it once was, and what it could be again.