I visited Italy last Christmas having the opportunity to go for the first time to the eastern city of Trieste. Even if this place is very Italian when you walk around and observe the buildings, you are constantly reminded that this region used to be part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is also possible to find reminders of how once there was a considerable Slavic population living in this area. The Saint Spyridon Serbian Orthodox church is one of these reminders (1751 when Empress Maria Theresa allowed free practice of religion, prompting the migration of Orthodox Serbs). Unfortunately, it was a short day trip, so I didn't have time to cross to Slovenia. Next time, I will try to visit the southern part of the former "Free State of Trieste."