by Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: Caterina De Gavardo, Trieste Councilor for Public Safety and Local Police
The city of Trieste on Tuesday presented the work of its Ceremonial Unit of the Local Police, the group responsible for representing the municipality during civic, religious and military ceremonies while escorting the city’s Gonfalone, its ceremonial banner decorated with the Gold Medal of Military Valor.
Speaking at City Hall alongside Mayor Roberto Dipiazza, Security Councillor Caterina de Gavardo described the unit as both a symbol of civic identity and a reflection of the city’s history.
The Ceremonial Unit was established in 2004 during Mr. Dipiazza’s first term, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Trieste’s return to Italy and the National Alpini Gathering hosted in the city that year. It was formally introduced to the City Council on April 29, 2004.
“It still moves me every time I see the city’s Gonfalone enter a ceremony,” Mr. Dipiazza said, recalling the significance of the anniversary. “People often compliment the precision of the unit’s marching formation, and every time it is an emotion.”
The unit currently consists of 20 volunteer officers from different branches of the local police force, all tasked with representing the city at official events. In 2025 alone, it took part in 85 ceremonies, both civil and religious.
Members wear either a historical uniform or a formal high uniform. The historical blue-and-light-blue uniform, designed after the first municipal police uniform worn in 1873, includes a feathered hat and, in winter, a heavy cape. The formal uniform features a helmet, white gloves and a ceremonial belt with a halberd, and is used for occasions such as the San Giusto d’Oro award ceremony, wreath-laying events and ambassadorial visits.
This year, the city invested €30,000 to renew the historical uniforms, replacing those first made in 2004. New summer and winter versions are being produced by an artisan tailor, and ceremonial swords have also been ordered for officers in formal uniform.
Training remains a central part of the unit’s work. Since its creation, members have received marching instruction from the Second “Piemonte Cavalleria” Regiment in Opicina, while two officers recently attended a course in Rome on institutional protocol and ceremonial etiquette.
Ms. de Gavardo said she hoped younger recruits would recognize the importance of the role and choose to join a unit she described as one of the city’s distinctive civic institutions.
