by InTrieste
On Saturday, May 23, the Civic Botanical Garden of Trieste will open its gates for a guided encounter with the often unnoticed life forms that inhabit its spaces. The event, titled “Microcosms in Marchesetti’s Garden,” will be led by entomologist Andrea Colla of the Civic Museum of Natural History of Trieste.
The initiative is centered on the legacy of Carlo de’ Marchesetti, the botanist who shaped the garden into its current form by introducing a wide range of specialized plant sections, including marsh, alpine, medicinal, and industrial species. This diversity of habitats has, over time, created a dense ecological mosaic that extends well beyond plants alone.
In May, the garden’s flowering cycle draws a wide range of pollinating insects, many of which are linked to woodland ecosystems during their larval stages. Their presence underscores the ecological continuity between the botanical garden and the nearby Farneto forest. Predatory species follow in turn: dragonflies move through the space or emerge from the garden’s small water bodies, while beneath stones, beetles emerge at night in search of snails and earthworms. Ants, too, play their part in regulating the system, including by preying on leaf-eating caterpillars.
The visit is designed to highlight how even small urban green spaces can function as active ecological systems. Participants are invited to observe these interactions up close and consider broader themes such as the role of urban greenery in supporting biodiversity, the environmental services such ecosystems provide to cities, and how even modest gardens can contribute to ecological resilience through simple management choices.
Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. The registration form can be downloaded from the museum’s website and must be submitted in paper form at the time of arrival. It can also be completed on site.
The meeting point is at 10:00 a.m. at the entrance of the Civic Botanical Garden of Trieste, Scala San Luigi 2. The site is accessible by bus lines 25 and 26. The activity will take place in all weather conditions, although cancellation may be decided on site depending on conditions.
More information is available at Civic Museum of Natural History of Trieste or by contacting sportellonatura@comune.trieste.it.
