by InTrieste
This June, visitors to Trieste will have a rare opportunity to step inside two of the city’s most emblematic industrial landmarks—the Electrical Substation and the Hydrodynamic Plant—nestled in the evocative surroundings of the Old Port, now reimagined as Porto Vivo.
Thanks to a collaboration between the Municipality of Trieste and the heritage organization Italia Nostra, the Trieste chapter of the nonprofit is offering a series of free guided tours designed to showcase the cultural and historical significance of the former port area. The initiative is part of a broader effort to revitalize and reinterpret the once-bustling maritime zone as a dynamic hub of memory, innovation, and civic pride.
Tours, which last approximately 90 minutes, will take place on four consecutive Wednesdays in June—June 4, 11, 18, and 25—with a 9:15 a.m. meet-up outside the Electrical Substation at Viale Miramare 24/4.
Participants must register at least five days in advance by emailing trieste@italianostra.org. Custom group visits can also be arranged upon request.
The Old Port’s architectural legacy, including the now-silent turbines and machinery of the Hydrodynamic Plant, tells a powerful story of Trieste’s industrial prowess at the turn of the 20th century. With its monumental spaces and imposing machinery, the site has become a symbol of the city’s transformation—from imperial outpost to contemporary crossroads of culture and science.
As Porto Vecchio continues its rebirth as Porto Vivo, these tours offer both locals and international visitors a rare glimpse into a chapter of urban history that helped shape the city as we know it today.
