trieste was under austrian rule back then.he so-called lanterna pool below the lighthouse opened in 1903, complete with the dividing wall. it survived two world wars, austrians, italians, germans, and yugoslavians -- and has also outlived some unsavory episodes in history. fabiola: after world war i, my grandfather got rid of his lice here before he came back home. reporter: in wartime the soldiers washed on one side and washed their horses on the other. fortunately, times have changed, but men are still men. claudio is trying to persuade the ladies to meet up in the water through a slit in the wall. they might be separated on the beach, but the men and women can mingle freely in the water. claudio quadrelli: if your wife asks you who the blonde was you were talking to in the water, that can lead to arguments. reporter: like most of the people here, the 74-year-old has been coming since he was a child. but things aren't always this peaceful. people often fight for the best spot on the beach. mara bisiacchi: i try to persuade t