by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Elisa Lodi, Trieste Councilor for Real Estate Heritage and Sports
The Civic Museum of the Risorgimento and the Guglielmo Oberdan Shrine, housed in a 19th-century building on Via XXIV Maggio, will reopen to the public on Thursday following the completion of extensive restoration and maintenance work.
City officials presented the completed project on Wednesday, describing it as a conservation effort aimed at preserving both the structure and its historical collections. The works focused in particular on the building’s exterior arcades, wooden window frames on the upper floor, and stone elements connecting the museum to an adjacent regional building.
Elisa Lodi, the city councillor responsible for public heritage, said the intervention was a collaborative effort involving municipal technical services, external contractors, and private restoration specialists. She also acknowledged support from the regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia, which contributed to the funding.
The project, with a total budget of €350,000, was financed through a mix of municipal and regional funds. Construction began in September 2025 and concluded in March 2026. The building is protected under Italy’s cultural heritage regulations, requiring approval from the national heritage authority.
Stefano Bianchi, head of the city’s historical museums, said the reopening fits into a broader network of Trieste museums dedicated to the history of Italy’s eastern borderlands. He noted that the site is part of an itinerary that includes the Diego de Henriquez War for Peace Museum, the Risiera di San Sabba memorial, and the Foiba di Basovizza visitor center.
Paolo Sardos Albertini, president of the Lega Nazionale, which collaborates in managing public access to the museum, welcomed the restoration and emphasized its role in preserving local historical memory.
The works addressed structural deterioration that had affected the building’s thermal efficiency, water tightness, and stone arcades. Officials said the intervention was also intended to ensure safety along surrounding public streets and protect the museum’s collections.
The museum will reopen to visitors, schools, and tourists as part of its established educational and cultural programming.
