by Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: Sandra Savino, Trieste City Councilor for General Services Policies; Luca Luisa, Capella Underground
Known as the “Vienna by the Sea” for its neoclassical grandeur and cosmopolitan past, the city of Trieste now invites the public to rediscover its lesser-known, esoteric roots through Trieste Underground, a new digital initiative combining cultural heritage, technology, and storytelling.
Launched in collaboration with the Municipality of Trieste, the project presents an immersive itinerary that explores the city’s shadowy past — from Freemasonry and pagan rituals to long-forgotten sites of occult significance. The experience is designed to be both accessible and sustainable, offering a guided journey through the hidden corners of Trieste via smartphones, tablets, or other digital platforms.
“Beneath the stately facades and scientific prestige lies a face of Trieste obscured by centuries of dust,” says the narrator of the project’s introductory episode. The voiceover sets the tone for an experience that blends historical research with local folklore, casting the city as a key point in what some consider Italy’s so-called “magic triangle,” alongside Turin and Florence.
Funded under a broader national program supporting digital innovation in the cultural and creative sectors, Trieste Underground is supported by the city’s departments for General Services and Digital Policies, led by Sandra Savino, in collaboration with the Department for Culture and Tourism. The project seeks to revitalize interest in Trieste’s complex history, while also promoting inclusive access to cultural content.
While the digital format offers a self-guided experience, the project also aims to attract visitors and residents alike through a series of curated narratives and geolocated multimedia content — inviting users to navigate the streets of Trieste with fresh eyes.
In the coming months, additional content and routes are expected to be released, further revealing the layered identity of a city where the rational and the mystical have long coexisted.
