The National Sanctuary to Mary Mother and Queen (in Slovene Svetišče na Vejni) is a Catholic church in the north of the city of Trieste, located at an altitude of 330 metres on Mount Grisa (in Slovene Vejna), from where there is a spectacular view of the city and the gulf. The Sanctuary, however, is really strange because the interior spaces are huge and almost look like the setting of a science fiction film.
It was designed by the architect Antonio Guacci on a sketch by the archbishop of Trieste and Capodistria Antonio Santin: the triangular structure evokes the letter M as a symbol of the Virgin Mary. The construction took place between 1963 and 1965, while the inauguration, by the same bishop, took place on May 22, 1966. The sanctuary is characterized by an imposing structure in reinforced concrete, with the presence of two overlapping churches.There are several ways to reach the Sanctuary. By car or by bus 42 that leaves from Piazza Oberdan or, if you have time, I suggest you to take the Napoleonic road that starts from the obelisk of Opicina.
