The Southern Station was inaugurated on 1 October 1860 on the occasion of the opening of the Udine-Nabresina-Trieste railway.

At 9.00 on September 29, the imperial train entered the station, greeted by a cannon shot fired from the castle.

Franz Joseph wore a general's white uniform, with a white and red sash, red trousers, and a hat with green plumes. After the official salutes, the procession, led by the mayor's carriage, followed by the imperial carriage and then those of the other civil and military authorities, set off under the first triumphal arch at the entrance to Corso Francesco Giuseppe, now Corso Italia. Adorned with stucco, the arch was flanked by two rows of obelisks joined by boxwood festoons. A double row of flagpoles stood along the entire length of the avenue, while all the homes were decorated with flags, coats of arms, and festoons.