Contrada di Riborgo

**Via di Riborgo** is a historic street in Trieste that, until the 1930s of the 20th century, represented the heart of the city's Jewish ghetto, established by ***Leopoldo I d’Asburgo*** in 1696 with an imperial decree. ### In the Asburgo Period In the Asburgo period, this street started from piazzetta San Giacomo, which no longer exists today, and developed crossing the Jewish ghetto, a neighborhood characterized by: - narrow and malodorous streets - dilapidated houses without running water - shared sanitary facilities It was an area delimited by high walls with access controlled by three gates guarded by Christian guards. ### The Creation of the Ghetto The creation of the ghetto in this area reflected the will of the imperial authorities to keep the Jewish population in a defined area, but closer compared to the previous Trauner court, at the center of the city's economic life near Riborgo, the commercial hub of Trieste. The ghetto was initially assigned 13 houses around the square called *delle Scuole ebraiche* and parallel streets that made up the neighborhood.[1][3] ### During the First Post-War Period and the Fascist Twenty Years During the first post-war period and in the fascist twenty years, the 1930s brought radical urban transformations. Between **1934** and **1938**, an imposing fascist demolition work hit **Via di Riborgo** and the old ghetto hard, with: - the removal of hundreds of dwellings - the forced evacuation of the population **Via di Riborgo** disappeared to make way for new urban layouts; its path was replaced by the current **via del Teatro Romano**, in which today only traces can be recognized of what was the ancient configuration of the neighborhood.[2][5] ### Significant Buildings Among the significant buildings in the area, once at number 25 of **Via di Riborgo** (no longer existing today), stood the birthplace of the poet ***Umberto Saba***, who has repeatedly recalled life in the ghetto in his poetry and autobiography, emphasizing the difficult living conditions and the deep emotional bond with that place. Near the street there was also the historic **chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore**, almost hidden by the houses before the fascist demolitions, clearly visible in period photos of the neighborhood before its restructuring and urban redevelopment of the 1930s.[5] ### Historical Significance **Via di Riborgo** therefore represents a fundamental piece for understanding the Triestine Jewish history and the urban evolution of the city, from the Asburgo age up to the profound upheavals of the first post-war period and the fascist regime.

Historical Card - Trieste

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