Trieste’s claim to fame is its wind known as LA BORA. It is a North to North-eastern katabatic wind similar to the Santa Ana’s in Southern California, the Bohemian Wind in the Ore Mountains between Germany and the Czech Republic, the Barber in New Zealand, the Oroshi in Japan. It rushes down from the mountains and blows in gusts. It can last a few hours or even up to a week. When it occurs with overcast skies it is called BORA SCURA (dark Bora) in the event of clear skies, BORA CHIARA.

You can clearly see signs of Trieste’s respect for the La Bora. Some streets are equipped with chains to make pedestrian traffic safer. Many rooftops have stones on them to hold down roof tiles and signs are posted along the piers, sidewalks bordering the water and the parking lots warning of the danger of being there when there is BORA.

La Bora winds can reach up to 220 km/h. or 137mph which is what is considered a Category 4 Hurricane.