by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Stefano Bianchi, Head of the Historical Museums, Municipality of Trieste; Max Pinucci – designer of the multimedia exhibition (MB Vision); mayor of Trieste, Roberto Dipiazza
A full-scale replica of the historic Batiscafo Trieste, the deep-sea vessel that made a landmark descent into the Mariana Trench in 1960, has gone on permanent display at Trieste’s Museum of War for Peace “Diego de Henriquez.”
The new exhibition, unveiled Friday, places the bathyscaphe at the center of Hangar 8 and uses multimedia elements to trace its history and the development of deep-sea exploration.
Built in Trieste at the Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico shipyards, the original vessel first conducted a deep-sea dive off Ponza in 1953, reaching 3,150 meters. In 1960, with Jacques Piccard and U.S. Navy Lt. Don Walsh aboard, it descended to 10,916 meters in the Mariana Trench.
The dive became a landmark in ocean exploration and established a connection between Trieste and the development of deep-sea technology.
The museum’s new installation also highlights the relationship between Diego de Henriquez, whose collection formed the basis of the museum, and Auguste Piccard and his son Jacques, who developed the bathyscaphe.
The replica was previously displayed in Piazza Unità d’Italia during the 2025 Barcolana before being moved to its permanent location. The project was supported by the Municipality of Trieste, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Fondazione CRTrieste, Trieste Trasporti and Rolex.
Among those attending the presentation were Mayor Roberto Dipiazza, Stefano Bianchi, head of the city’s Historical Museums, regional councilor Carlo Grilli, Trieste Trasporti president Maurizio Marzi Wildauer and Paolo Santangelo of Fondazione CRTrieste.
The exhibition opens to the public Saturday, Oct. 3. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, with hours changing seasonally.
