by Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: Elisa Lodi, Trieste councilor for sport
Trieste has secured the top position in Italy for culture and leisure in the 2025 Qualità della Vita rankings, an annual nationwide survey published by Il Sole 24 Ore. The city placed 17th overall among Italian provinces, rising two spots from last year, but its strongest performance came in the section dedicated to cultural offerings and recreational opportunities.
According to the report, Trieste outpaced every other Italian city by a wide margin in this category, achieving an average score of 661.3 across 15 indicators. The city ranked particularly well in museum heritage, sports participation, the number of gyms and swimming pools per 10,000 residents, reading habits, and the breadth of its cultural programming.
The results were presented during a press conference at City Hall by Elisa Lodi, the municipal councillor responsible for real estate policies and sports, joined by Fabio Cipriani, director of sports and seaside facilities, and Barbara Gentilini, director of public building services.
“This achievement is primarily due to the extensive work carried out by municipal offices and to the investments we are making in our museum network,” Lodi said. She noted that more than €50 million has been allocated for ongoing and upcoming cultural projects, including the redevelopment of the Museum of the Sea.
Lodi emphasized the city’s strong sports infrastructure, citing the management of 60 municipal gyms and the maintenance—both ordinary and extraordinary—required to keep them operational. Beginning in January, the city will also take on responsibility for custodial services. In addition, Trieste counts three swimming pools managed by third parties and five major sports halls, including the PalaChiarbola, which the city oversees directly, and others operated under concession.
The press conference also highlighted Trieste’s strong performance in the national “sportività” index, which evaluates sports activity in Italy using 32 indicators grouped into categories such as facilities, team sports, individual sports, and community engagement.
“In sports, Trieste benefits from a broad and committed network,” Lodi said, praising the work of local associations and the city’s support for their daily needs as well as for event organization. Over the past year, Trieste co-organized 80 sporting events spanning a wide range of disciplines. “Data confirm that Trieste is a major draw for sporting events, responding effectively to both local initiatives and national competitions,” she added, pointing to the high attendance at October’s women’s volleyball Supercoppa held at PalaTrieste.
Looking ahead, Lodi also outlined several events scheduled for early 2026. On January 6, PalaChiarbola will host a handball test match between Italy and Romania in preparation for the EHF Euro 2026 tournament. Later in the month, on January 23, the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch will arrive in Piazza Unità d’Italia. January will also include a commemoration honoring the Triestine swimmer Bruno Bianchi, 60 years after his death, featuring the unveiling of a memorial plaque and the presentation of a new book.
