by Maximiliano Crocamo
The Museo del Mare in Trieste has reopened its section dedicated to the history of the Lloyd shipping company after a year-long closure, unveiling a redesigned exhibition aimed at providing visitors with a more immersive and interactive experience.
The project, supported by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, reimagines the narrative of the Austrian and Triestine Lloyd, updating the presentation of its collections with new displays, multimedia tools, and educational spaces.
The renovated section was presented to the press on Thursday morning at Magazzino 26, the museum’s main building, during a conference led by Giorgio Rossi, Trieste’s Regional Councillor for Culture and Tourism. The official inauguration took place later in the day with Rossi joined by Francesco di Paola Panteca, president of the City Council, and Patrizia Fasolato, director of the city’s scientific museums. Stefano Bianchi, director of the city’s historical museums, and museum curators Silvia Pinna and Andrea Bonifacio also attended and guided the first public tour of the new exhibition.
Rossi highlighted the transformation of the venue, describing Magazzino 26 as a once “deserted” space that has been converted over the past eight years into a cultural hub, now hosting the Museo della Civiltà Istriana, Fiumana e Dalmata and several exhibition halls. He noted that renovations are expected to be fully completed by 2026, with the Lloyd section now featuring new staff areas and space for the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Fasolato explained that the redesign emphasizes accessibility and engagement, with displays arranged chronologically and featuring paintings, models, graphics, prints, photographs, and artifacts. Visitors are invited to interact with the exhibits using tablets, opening drawers and display cases to explore the Lloyd’s history at their own pace.
Founded in 1833 by a group of Triestine businessmen, the Lloyd initially focused on commercial and maritime information. By 1836, it expanded to include steamship services, eventually constructing a modern shipyard in the Servola Bay between 1853 and 1865. Over the decades, the company grew into a major operator in passenger and cargo transport across the Mediterranean, Europe, and beyond, though both World Wars and shifts in global transportation led to significant changes in operations. By the mid-20th century, transatlantic air travel and containerized shipping transformed the company’s activities, which became part of larger international networks.
The exhibition concludes with a video room offering archival footage and imagery, with plans to add interactive multimedia and 3D reproductions of artifacts. A dedicated educational area will host workshops, conferences, and guided activities for school groups and families, including a navigational simulator.
Digital tools introduced in the new section include interactive captions that can be enlarged, translated into multiple languages, and adapted for varying levels of detail, enhancing accessibility for visitors, including those with disabilities. English is currently available, with Slovenian, German, French, and Spanish versions planned.
Public programs will accompany the reopening. On November 2, CoopCulture, the city’s museum education provider, will host a free guided tour open to all visitors. On November 16 and 30 and December 14, the organization will offer “Rotte da esplorare,” an interactive family activity that combines museum exploration with team-based problem-solving games for children ages 6 to 12 and their families. Additional events and presentations by the museum staff are scheduled throughout the coming months.
The Museo del Mare traces its origins to 1904 as a fishing museum and has evolved over the decades, acquiring collections from the Trieste Academy of Commerce and Nautical Studies and expanding into permanent maritime exhibitions. Its current location at Magazzino 26, a former arsenal and quarantine station, combines historical architecture with modern accessibility features, including ramps and elevators.
The Lloyd section and the broader museum are open Wednesday through Sunday, with free admission.
For more information, visit www.museodelmaretrieste.it or contact museomare@comune.trieste.it.
