The Mariano Temple of Monte Grisa is an extraordinary construction. In fact here the people of Trieste refer to this temple as the ‘little cheese’ because of its triangular shape. It dominates the whole city and the beautiful gulf below, sitting in one of most attractive parts of Carso, with breathtaking views. It was built for diplomatic reasons during the war over Italian sovereignty over Trieste (which was challenged by Yugoslavian troops under Marshall Tito) and at the wishes of Bishop Antonio Santin in 1945. Pope John XXIII dedicated the church to Mary, ‘Mother and Queen’, in 1959.
